The Philippine Consul General Maria Lourdes Salcedo presented an Excellence Award to Lourdes Dellamas, a Filipino cultural dancer teacher in the Filipino community, on 28 February 2023 at the Philippine Consulate Office in Melbourne. Nanay Ludy, as she is fondly called, spent more than 20 years for her volunteer work as a cultural dance instructor and choreographer in Victoria. Congen also formally handed over to Nanay Ludy a framed article she wrote titled “Life is a Dance- Swing with it.” The tribute was organised by the Australia Filipino Community Services (AFCS) headed by its Chairperson Gerry Ocampo.
Nanay Ludy also had the traditional blowing of candles of her cake for her 90th birthday celebration. She was joined by her two children who came all the way from the Philippines to celebrate their mother’s birthday. AFCS Managing Director Corina Dutlow was also present to grace the event.
Unity among diversity
In her speech, ConGen Salcedo expressed the surprise of local and state officials that not many Filipinos try to serve in high places when they have the skills and merits. She also commended the AFCS’ effort to include other ethnic groups within the Filipino community in Victoria. Dutlow acknowledged that “there are traits that we all share as migrants,” and we should celebrate these similarities we share and learn from the differences we have as well. She also mentioned the “growing need to get back to your roots in finding your identity as a person,” including our cultural heritage. The AFCS invites Samoans, Cambodians, Chinese and Indians, among many others, to join their events, and ConGen Salcedo said “that should be the attitude” to be able to collaborate with each other and ignite “unity among diversity”.
A gathering of AFCS friends
In the afternoon, Nanay Ludy was surprised to see around 70 members of the AFCS and other clubs, such as Young Generation, Frankston seniors, Eastern Metro Region Wellness Group, Sunbury seniors and other guests at the Lynbrook Hotel, where they were enjoying a buffet lunch after the Consulate function. They sang her a happy birthday, and Nanay Ludy wished her family and the AFCS community all the best. They gave her gifts and offered performances of Filipino cultural dance, complete with traditional clothes and props. An audio-video presentation was also shown with many of Nanay Ludy’s performances.
Nanay Ludy is indeed a pillar of the community. In her speech, she wanted Filipino seniors to be active and involved. She is the best example of how Filipinos can and has contributed to Victoria’s diverse and multicultural state.
A life of dance and music
Nanay Ludy has been dancing since she was two years old and became a dance teacher in Manila. She even started a dance troupe named Hiyas which was composed of friends and family to perform in charitable events in the 1990s. With her were her husband and daughter, Nanay Ludy moved to Melbourne in 1986 at 52 years old. And she brought her talent with her. Nanay Ludy fell in love when she learned about AFCS because they gave her another outlet for dancing her heart out. She teaches dance to Filipino seniors. The AFCS even helped her connect to the digital world at 87 so that even with COVID-19 restrictions, she was still able to conduct online dance classes over Zoom. Nanay Ludy keeps herself physically fit by eating mostly fish and vegetables. It is no wonder she can still move into the groove at her age. Being active certainly keeps her young!
Pictorial
PHOTOS: Alice G Nicolas
