I met Biko more than a decade ago. My husband was the first to meet Biko and her husband,
Bong, on one of his trips to Cebu back in the early 90's. Their church was hosting a prophetic presbytery, and by God's appointment, the Mabilogs hosted my hubby while he was there -- driving him to and from the hotel, taking him to dinner, the works. I was not with Jojo on that trip, as I had just given birth (or was about to give birth) to our fourth child. And on that first meeting, Biko sent my husband back to Baguio with a very precious package:
one of her paintings. In essence, she had given me, a woman she had never met, a part of herself.
That was the Biko I had come to know and love in the years that followed. Our meetings were few and far between owing to the fact that we lived quite a distance from one another, and we were always busy rearing the kids, pastoring, transplanting to new cities; and she had her school.
But for anyone who has ever spent time with Biko, a few hours can be like years or decades. There was a depth of knowing, a gravity of emotion beneath that calm exterior. At least that's how I always felt around her. Maybe it was because we knew our time together would always be for brief periods, we never wasted time with niceties and girlie chitchat. She was an "old soul," with an understanding of joy and pain. And she had that smile... almost like a half-smirk...Yoda-ish, even.
Is it any wonder then, that even in her darkest moments, we still ran to her for strength and advice? The last message I had written her was a litany of my own trials. And now I realize that despite the pain she endured in her final weeks, she had replied thus:
"Hi Ids! Seems like days could be better for both you and me. But the amazing thing is they have drawn us closer to God instead of farther from Him. Our kids have also grown more mature and responsible and their faith is strong.
"God has been so faithful in provision, in giving us encouragement from all our friends (including you, high on the list) and providing us with opportunities to bless others and sustaining us with hope and faith in His word.
"Praying hard that you and I are on our way to our personal breakthroughs.
"Looking forward to surprising you in Penang, haha."
And I did look forward to that visit, hoping for and expecting a miraculous recovery. But the Lord decided to take her home instead. And we, like little children, trustfully release our hold.
We will miss Biko, our dear friend. But life on earth is indeed short for us all... And then, there's eternity to look forward to.
And yes, we can finally catch up then.... I love you, my friend.
Her son's obit/eulogy
Sabina's Photo Album
on the subject. Arielle is the daughter of Rommel and Flor Esteban, formerly from the Alabang congregation, and whose presence here in Penang is truly a blessing to us.
