2012 APCO Freedom Day Ball

Remembering Manang Lourdes Wilman
By: Dr Cen Amores, APCO Founding President
Before my family left for our Christmas holiday last year, I felt a very strong urge to
visit Ate Lourdes at Wollongong Hospital. Along with a group of Ilocano friends,
we sang Christmas Carols at her bed side. Although she had lost weight, she looked
extraordinarily beautiful and peaceful! She was even asking if there are some more
fund-raising tickets to sell! While singing softly with us, she held my right hand
tightly as if sending a message – please stay. I was overcome with grief on our way
home. I felt the emptiness in my heart and had a strong feeling that it was the last
time I saw Ate Lourdes.
I still remember the time we decided to walk out of the other community federation’s
rigged ‘non-election’. Her organisation was among those summarily suspended by the hastily held “kangaroo
court”. She was so embittered, shattered and devastated. She felt totally betrayed by the people whom she
trusted! She understood and supported our decision to walk out in protest of dirty tactics used by the other
party “to win at all cost”.
To provide moral support to the organisations that were summarily suspended, I hosted a meeting for their
leaders and members alike. Ate Lourdes attended. She felt she was not alone. That was the time APCO was
established, upon the suggestion of the late Rosa Taboada and unanimously supported by those present.
More meetings followed and on one occasion, Ate Lourdes proudly whispered to me in Ilocano, “Sayang,
gimmatangak ti nagpintas nga Filipinia-nak ngem diak to met mausaren ta saan tay met nga ag-attend ti
Independence Day Ball-en” (I bought a beautiful Filipiniana outfit, but unfortunately, I shall not be able to use
it because we shall no longer be attending the Independence Day Ball). I replied, “Manang Lourdes, idulin mo
latta dayta napintas nga Filipinianam. Siguradoak nga mausar monto met laeng ta mangbuangay tay to met iti
independence ball tayo” (Just keep your beautiful Filipiniana outfit for a while. I can assure you that you will be
wearing it when we organise our own independence day). Suddenly, her eyes brightened and in her jubilation,
she promised to bring more people from Wollongong. Three months later, we held APCO’s 1st Freedom Ball.
True to her promise, Ate Lourdes invited many community leaders, friends and relatives from Wollongong and
hired buses to transport them to the venue. Her love for beauty and flair for fashion was recognised by winning
the “Best in Classical Filipiniana” competition!
Ate Lourdes’ community commitment and loyalty to APCO is incomparable! She never faltered in her promise
to actively participate and support APCO and its affiliates’ projects and activities. In meetings, she was always
ready to share her thoughts and generous advice. Her charming and convincing ways made it easy to win
people’s support.
May all those whose lives were touched by Ate Lourdes’ generousity and commitment for community service
keep her memories alive. We want Ate Lourdes’ family to know that her legacy will live on. She will always be
remembered as one of the pillars of the Filipino-Australian community and APCO!
The Mindanao Ethnic Dance Group
The APCO Choir