NOT everybody knows Marilou Frostrom, but to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Malou was everything in the President's universe of appointments, engagements, and out-of-town sorties.

She was the appointments secretary at the Office of the President, undersecretary for presidential engagements, and head of the Office of Regional Concerns (ORC) at the Presidential Management Staff (PMS).

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Malou was among those who died in a helicopter crash on a flight to Ifugao last April 7 along with three of President Arroyo's key aides, including Jose "Joecap" Capadocia, press undersecretary for media relations; Perlita Bandayanon, PMS assistant director and Malou's deputy head in ORC; and Brigadier General Carlos Clet, presidential senior military aide.

Major Rolando Sacatani, Captain Alvin Alegata, Sergeant Roegem Perez, and Quarter Master Demelyn Reyno also perished in the accident.

The eight formed the core of the advance party for the April 8 presidential inspection of Halsema Highway in Ifugao.

As head of the President's advance party, Malou makes the necessary preparations and arranges the President's itinerary every day. In out-of-town sorties, Malou motors around the city or municipality and inspects the venue at least a day ahead of the President.

She was on a similar mission on that fateful day of April 7. Until the last second of her life, her dedication to duty in the service of the presidency was unflinching.

Malou was finally laid to rest last April 14 at the Mactan Island Memorial Garden in Marigondon, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu where she hailed from.

Closest and perfect co-worker

Her proximity and relationship to the President is unrivaled and matchless.

From the lips of the President herself, Malou was the "closest and the perfect co-worker."

"She was one of the most, if not the most, competent people I have ever worked with in all my life," describes the President.

The President goes on to add: "While her 24/7 work ethic matched mine, her sunshine personality was the perfect foil for my quick temper, so we got along famously."

Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, a close friend of Frostrom, said that he has never known anyone more dedicated than her. He recounted his vacation at Dakak in Zamboanga del Norte last April 4 with the Frostrom family.

Frostrom was very busy then with her two cellular phones arranging the President's birthday party the following day, Sunday. "I told her to get off the phone and spend some life with her family and friends," recalled Zubiri.

"She was the nicest Cabinet member of the President. Not one senator had a bad thing to say about her. Even the opposition senators have said she was the nicest member of the Arroyo family," the senator added.

'Ayoko nyan, 'day'

Nancy Gonzalez, a long-time friend of Malou and co-worker at Atlas Mining Company in the 1980s, describes Malou as hard working, dedicated and very professional in her work ever since and that she was very supportive of the President.

Gonzalez, along with former Atlas Mining officemates Carmen Aballe, Fe Barino, Fe Alaras, Marcia Dacleg and Nedes Alerta, was tapped by Frostrom as campaign volunteers for President Arroyo in the 2004 presidential elections.

They describe Frostrom as warm, bubbly, happy, gregarious, very gracious, and very friendly.

"There was never a dull moment when Malou was around," said Barino, adding that "she always makes people laugh and lifts up their spirit, especially when someone is down and sad."

Gonzalez said that Malou will always be remembered by her expressions, "Ayoko nyan, 'day" and "You know" spoken sweetly in the Visayan accent with matching head or body actions to wit. A comic and funny woman who loved to laugh. She did that when she wants to lighten up the mood and the moment," she said.

Gonzalez's last meeting with Frostrom was in Café Laguna in Ayala last year. "There, we shared and exchanged stories about our respective lives, family and work, and even physical bodies, like kung tumaba na kami," she quipped.

In the same meeting, Malou told Gonzalez that she was fulfilled in her work.

Fatima Pilapil, another close friend, shared Malou's desire of retiring after 2010 so that she could spend time with her husband Jan, relatives, and friends.

Patchi, Malou's nickname for Fatima, said they went early this year on a road trip in Busay, Cebu, where Malou wanted to buy a piece of land where she could farm and plant after she retires in 2010. Malou was also looking for a small condominium in Mandaue, Cebu.

A loving sister

Malou's siblings Ric, Raul, Obet, and Myrna describe their sister as very malambing (sweet) and very supportive of the family.

Malou has a close relationship with Myrna, being her only sister, whom she fondly called, "Inday Mir."

"Lagi kami yan magkasama ng magsimba. Kung ano suot ko, iyon din ang suot nya. Para kaming twins," recalled Myrna.

"Malambing talaga yan," quipped Myrna, adding that "lagi yan nag-e-encourage at kinokomfort ka, lalo na kung marami kang problema. Mapagmahal din yan sa mga pamangkin niya."

Nathalie, Frostrom's 16-year-old niece who is studying at Arellano University, remembers her aunt Malou as being very caring to them, always treating them out when she had the time.

Myrna and Malou last met on March 28 during the recognition rites of Saak Dos Daycare Center, a school owned by Myrna in Mandaue. She narrated a conversation that hinted at Malou's passing.

A fantastic wife

Jan Frostrom, Malou's husband, misses his wife so much.

"In my eyes, she was the most beautiful," he boasted.

He also describes Malou as witty, very intelligent, happy, extremely efficient, workaholic, and full of energy.

"As a wife, Malou was fantastic. We were soul mates. When I was going to say something, she said it ahead of me, and vice versa. We share the same plans and ideas," said Jan.

The Swedish husband also shared that even when Malou was preoccupied with work, she maintained her close relationship with him and their relatives, such that in between phone calls, she contacted her relatives and expressed utmost regards to them. Her presence was felt all the time.

"Malou loves cooking very much. She was very good in Swedish kitchen and Filipino food. She was very creative with food and she'd love to do something new," Jan said.

He noted that Malou starts the long day at 5 a.m. and retires at midnight.

"Usually, I wake her up and prepare for her breakfast. Normally, I would try to wake her up and do that four times, and she would sleep five more minutes every time," quipped Jan.

"With all my heart, I supported everything she did," Jan said with mixed pride and sadness.

Malou Frostrom has served well the presidency and kept her appointment with history. She may have gone ahead of her family, friends, relatives and colleagues, but today, as Jan puts it, "she may probably be making appointments upstairs."

Jan Frostrom has no plans of going back to Sweden. He said that they will be putting up the Malou Frostrom Foundation, whose advocacy will center on education for poor students.

"I will stay here, realize her foundation and fulfill her goals. Malou was very concerned with education for the poor families. She came from a poor family herself. We will try to establish a foundation, build a school, and arrange scholarships for the kids who don't have money," said Jan.

The foundation shall be sponsored by corporations, relatives, and close friends.

Jan promises, "This is Malou's dream. I will make it happen." (Press release)