Frostrom laid to rest

CEBU, Philippines – The remains of Marilou Dematera Frostrom, the appointments secretary of President Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo who figured in a helicopter crash last April 7, were laid to rest yesterday.

Frostrom's remains were buried beside the grave of her father at the Mactan Memorial Park. Her father passed away only last December 2008.

Frostrom, Malacañang senior military aide Brig. Gen. Carlos Clet, Press Undersecretary Jose Capadocia, and two pilots were on board the presidential helicopter from Baguio City as advanced party for Arroyo's visit to Ifugao, when the chopper crashed midway.

Frostrom’s remains were cremated in Manila and her ashes were brought to Cebu last Saturday afternoon.

Yesterday, Father Dan Delos Angeles and Jose Jumao-as officiated the mass at the Mactan Memorial Park before Frostrom's remains were finally laid to rest.

Arroyo was not able to attend the burial, as she was out of the country but several national and local officials were present yesterday, including Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, Sixth District Rep. Nerissa Soon-Ruiz,Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Agusan del Sur Governor Dina Plaza, Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Arturo Radaza, and Mandaue City Vice Mayor Carlo Pontico Fortuna.

Frostrom's colleagues and friends in government also paid their last respects to the woman they described as “workaholic”.

Zubiri shared that his and Frostrom's family were still together on a vacation at the Dakak Park and Beach Resort in Zamboanga del Norte two days before the tragic incident. The supposed vacation, however, did not look like one to Frostrom, as she reportedly continued working via the mobile phone with colleagues from Manila.

Ed Manda, General Manager of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, said Frostrom had worked with him as public relations officer before she transferred to Malacañang.

Frostrom, the second of five siblings, graduated cum laude from the University of San Carlos with a degree in English. She worked with the then Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Corp. in Toledo City before deciding to be in government service.

Since entering Malacañang, Frostrom has worked with the National Internal Security Agency, the Presidential Management Staff, and the Presidential Security Group.

A foundation will be launched in Manila to continue Frostrom's dream to provide support to underprivileged children. – Jose P. Sollano/JMO (THE FREEMAN)