by Benjie de Ubago

I am deeply humbled and honoured to have been asked to say something about Dr. Corazon Alvarez Francisco who crossed over to the heavens to join her creator on 18 May 2025.   I stand before you still in denial – still unable to fathom – and I’m at a loss for words – for really, there are no words to describe a life well lived.

We lost a lost a beautiful soul – a pillar of the Filipino community.  In a community sprouting with leaders – real ones & some self proclaimed – Dr. Francisco was truly a cut above the rest. She was a pioneer and an achiever. She pushed boundaries, persisted and was dedicated to a life of service.

She was a loving wife to Ferdi, a dedicated mother to Brian & Saki and David & Dr, Rona, a dotting Lola to her grandchildren. She was a sister, an aunt, a loyal friend but above all she was a healer – a highly respected Doctor in our midst.

She graduated from pre-med degree from FEU as a magna cum laude; and then proceeded to obtain her medicine degree from the University of the Philippines. She went on to become a specialist in obstetrician and gynaecologist for Philippine General Hospital and then for United Doctors Medical Centre.  She also taught at Manila Central University with qualifications from the Educational Council for Foreign Medical Graduates in the USA.

She was caught in the changing of the rules when she migrated to Australia and despite her extensive qualifications, she still had to undergo review classes and pass the mandatory Australian Medical Council written & oral exams to be able to practice in Australia.

And that she did! She was the first Filipino doctor to become a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners in 1994. She also served as a member of the Board of Examiners for the Fellowship exams from 1996 to 2010. She was a resident medical officer at Liverpool Hospital but in 1991, she took the plunge and opened her own practice at Quakers Hill.

Having experienced the rigours of passing Australia’s medical exams, she founded the Philippine Australian Medical Association (PAMA) to help newly arrived Filipino doctors transition and practice medicine in Australia. She was devoted to PAMA and continued to support the organisation throughout their 33 years of existence and yes, she even joined their annual medical missions to remote areas in the Philippines.

But PAMA wasn’t the only association she got involved in.  She also supported the UP Alumni Association Australia, her alma mater, Timek Iti La Union her place of origin, the Ilocano Association & Handog Pinoy. She supported the associations way past her role and terms of presidency. Actually, she did not even need to be a member of an organisation –For as long as it was for the betterment of the community and the Filipino, she was there.  In coordination with the Philippine Consulate General, Sydney, and Timek Ito La Union, she embarked on an outreach program to Grafton to assist Filipinos there to obtain their dual citizenship.

As a community leader, she was tireless, generous to a fault and despite her many accolades, she remained always humble. She did not suffer fools gladly and was quick to say so but she also had a sense of humour. Once, as she noticed something was not quite right, she whispered to me –“Benjie, bakit iba ang simoy.”  She was a lady with scruples whose moral compass always pointed north. She was a bastion of the community – a keeper of our values & traditions and above all – she was a proud Filipino.

Recognition came from numerous organisations including FILCCA, the Filipino Community Council of Australia, and for all her community service she clinched the 2018 Philippine Presidential Banaag Award – an award well deserved.

As we grapple through our grief and sorrow, may her memory continue to inspire.  May we be comforted in having known her in this lifetime.

I will remember her most for our trip to Toowoomba, to Grafton – for the laughter, the chats, the many lunches we had – for the free rides home – and for the support she gave during my health retreats & air B&B stays.

For that, I am grateful. Thank you.

29 May 2025