In Remembrance of Pa Ban Gracia

The entire staff and family of Pelita Harapan University is mourning the loss of Rev. Hidalgo B. Garcia, Ph.D., the former Director of Spiritual Growth division at UPH, on Tuesday, February 19, 2013, at 6.45 a.m. local time. He had been hospitalized at the Siloam Hospital, Lippo Village Karawaci for 26 (twenty six months).

The body was being placed at the HOPE Building to be attended by participants of consolation worship on February 19, 2013 where Mrs. Maryan Garcia, the wife of late Rev. Garcia, gave a testimony of Pa Ban?s faithful service for UPH as well as how their lives had been going on in the hospital.

As put by Mrs. Maryan Garcia in her testimony, ?Our hearts are filled with gratitude. We do not seem to be in much trouble, as is obvious to other people?s eyes. God gives us the necessary strength every day. Our colleagues and friends, whether back there in Philippines or when they pay us a visit, are grateful to see us in good condition. This testifies the abundant gifts from God. He was supposed to celebrate his 58^th birthday next week. I surely know where he is now; a place where he will undoubtedly celebrate it with his beloved mother, my own mother, and the whole family in faith to our Lord and Father in Heaven.”

?At the moment, I wish to express my gratitude for our family of UPH. We cannot thank them enough for their support in many different forms. We also wish to thank our Lord for the wonderful life Pa Ban had lived; the people around him, and particularly I have learned so many things from him. That is possible thanks to God?s grace alone.?

Amos, the oldest son of late Rev. Garcia, took this opportunity, after coming from Singapore, to salute all who were present, ?Despite the fact that my father underwent a fatal comma for a long while, times when he was aware of my presence and, some other time, when he was not, I sincerely thank everyone involved in the attempt to save his life?the never-ending care, attention, and support. Personally, he had been a good parent and mentor for me. I can still feel his loving and caring presence although we did not have much chance to communicate properly. Again, so many thanks for the entire family of UPH.?

Jonathan L. Parapak, Rector of Pelita Harapan University, revealed how deeply he felt of the loss of his colleague, testifying, ?For me, he was not simply a friend, but also my spiritual advisor and a partner of discussion. We have, together, faced struggles and trials. All of us have lost a sincere friend, expert on his respective field, as well as a faithful servant of God who had led by examples all his entire life. We share the lost felt by his family and we all shall pray for his family. We are thankful for his life and spiritual service. Despite the long time spent by him fighting for his life, I am certain that everyone will finally, as time passes by, let him go in peace. I ask all of you to follow the good examples he had previously set and take their turn in spreading the words of God as Pa Ban had done all his life.?

The consolation worship takes place from Wednesday through Friday at 7 p.m. at the HOPE Counseling Center, UPH. The funeral procession of Rev. Garcia will be held at ?Rumah Duka Oasis Lestari ?. Tangerang on Saturday, February 23, 2013. Afterwards, the cremation will take place at the nearby ?Oasis Lestary Crematorium?. (rh)