Obituary of Lourdes "Ludy" Sy Jacobo

May 25, 1938 – March 5, 2025

Lourdes “Ludy” Sy Jacobo. Age 86 of Brownstown.

Beloved wife of the late Romy Jacobo. Loving mother of Lilleth (Noel) Gonzalez, Leah (Ariel) Bunag, Cecilia (Jim) Gruber, Ginnie (Reyniel) Catabian and Leo. Dearest grandmother of John, Alyssa, Joshua, Jacob, Katrina, Karlo, Kian, Kaden and Alex. Dear sister of Ruben (Precy), Saling (Lito) and Linda (Nilo). Predeceased by siblings Noli and Tessie.

Family Tribute ~

Lourdes, or “Ludy” as family and friends like to call her, was the eldest of 6 siblings. She was born in the town of Camiling, Tarlac on May 25, 1938; she went to primary and secondary school in Camiling and then attended the University of the East, obtaining her Bachelor's degree in Accounting.

She met her future husband, Romy, while working for Jacobo and Sons. Soon after she and her husband became the proprietors of Jacobo Book Sales, a company specializing in the collection, distribution and sales of legal books and journals. They both ran this business from their little office in Manila for more than 35 years and, though Romy was indispensable, everyone knew that Ludy was the brains behind it all.

Being the consummate businesswoman, Ludy enjoyed dealing with lawyers, bankers, vendors and suppliers, so much so that she became a recognizable figure along Escolta Avenue. Not a few business owners know her by name and seeing her exchange a few words with some has become a daily ritual.

Ludy was an avid gardener and her floral skills were legendary. Her green thumb transformed their modest backyard in Tandang Sora into a veritable Eden; replete with orchids, ferns and roses. Nary a neighbor would pass up a chance to tour her garden on Sundays; many of them leaving with a stem of rose or a bloom of orchid. She also had a knack for flower arrangements and gladly offered her help to arrange bouquets for family and friends.

She was also a member of several organizations such as Lion's Club, CWL (Catholic Women's League) and PREX (Parish Renewal Experience) and an active member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish. After a host of unforeseen events (her children leaving for the US, the death of her beloved Romy, the business slowly becoming unviable) Ludy finally retired and moved, albeit grudgingly at first, to join her children and grandchildren to live a quieter life in Michigan in 2017.