LCHS SPECTRUM Founded Aug. 1, 1968. Published weekly since its revival on April 15, 1997.  Distributed free by e-mail  to LCHS alumni, friends,  and supporters worldwide.  Postal address: LCHS Alumni Association  Lanao Chung Hua School Pala-o, Iligan City, Philippines For subscription, Contact Johnny T. Chen Tel. No. (063) 221-3883  E-mail address: johnchen@iligan.com Articles & comments may be addressed to: charlesy@durian.usc.edu.ph *

YEAR OF THE RABBIT A new year of leaps and bounds? As the Year of the Tiger roars out of the scene, the Year of the Rabbit hops in starting Feb. 16. Will it be a 24-carrot year? A year of  progress by leaps and bounds? Or another wave of skips and misses? The Earth Rabbit in the lunar calendar is characterized by the nature of the rabbit, which is robust. But unlike the tiger, the rabbit lacks protective power. It jumps from left to right to run away from predators.  It  never makes linear progress.  Since the  rabbit keeps on hopping, geomancers or feng shui masters foresee that business climate in general may improve by leaps and bounds. Let's see if this will also mean the end of checks that slip and bounce. Happy New Hare!

STAFF  Editors Charles O. Sy Henry L. Yu Correspondents Iligan: Johnny Chen Santiago Ong Teresita Racines Alfred Lai II Cebu: Igdono Caracho Canada: Peter Dy Mike Lee Australia: Leonardo Tan U.S.A.: Ernesto Yu Alex Rodriguez Aurora Tansiokhian *

Alfredo "Chu Tek" Sy (Batch '57) was elected 1st vice president of the Cebu Quemoy Association in its board meeting at the Cebu Grand Convention Center last Feb. 5.  William Uy was elected new president, and Tereso "Koko" Tan, 2nd vice president. Among the Iliganons elected to the board were Shek Tong "Tonga" Dy, Dy Tiao Un, and Nelson Sy.

St. Michael Circle holds first communion
By Igdono Caracho (Batch '66)

Some 40 children, mostly belonging to families of LCHS alumni, had their first Communion last Feb. 7 at the Holy Cross Chapel, Isabel Village, Iligan City. The children belong to the Sunday catechism class held over the past 15 Sundays under the auspices of the St. Michael Filipino Chinese Catholic Circle. The catechism class is conducted by Alicia Cu-Go, as chairperson; Rossana Co Belmonte, principal; and Fr. Dan Sormani, CCSp; spiritual adviser; and Circle members as teachers. The next incoming class will have Alexis Natividad as chairperson; and Joy L. Co, as principal.

Maranaw Lodge installs new officers
By Jeanne N. Te

The Maranaw Lodge No. 111, Free and Accepted Masons, held its installation of officers on the occasion of its 63rd charter month last Jan. 30 at the Iligan Day Inn Plaza. Inducted into office by MWB Rosendo Herrera, PGM, were Martin Abadiano, PM (awardee); Henry Ang, PDDGM; Alexander Chua, junior steward; Antonio Benolerao, marshall; Christopher Tek-An Chua, PDDGM; Manuel Gaite, PM; Edwin Co, PM, lecturer; Robert Co, PDGLM (awardee); Carlos Dy, senior steward (awardee); Kelly Dy, asst. treasurer; Suniel Lim, PM, lecturer; Ramon Lee, junior deacon; Dominic Siao; Henry Siao, junior warden; Richard Sy; James So, Bonifacio Te, Manuel Te; and Virgilio Yu. Among the ladies in attendance were Nene Siao; Dennie So; Dra. Felisa Yu; Pauline Kwan; An An Labao; Virginia Te; Paz Yu; and Jeanne Te.

Meanwhile, the installation of officers of the Order of Amaranth, Iligan Court No. 21, has been reset from Feb. 6 to Feb. 18, 1999. Members of the Order are addressed as Sir Knights, Honored Ladies, Royal Matrons and Royal Patrons. Among the members are Edwin Co, Robert Co, Henry Dy, Suniel Lim, Joel Ngo, James So, and Manuel Te. The honor ladies are Estrella Chua, Esterlita Dy, Pauline Labao, PRM, Socorro Lim, Marie Florence Piansay, Anne Rachel Labao, and Jeanne N. Te.  The Order also counts Leonardo Tan, PRP, and his wife Lelian, among its members. The installation rites will be held at 6:00 p.m., Masonic Temple, Iligan City; with dinner at the JY Dimsum House in Pala-o.

Golfers Bring Home Goodies.  Alumni golfers who participated in the Pueblo de Oro Golf Tournament in Cagayan de Oro City, sponsored by PNP Chief Gen. Roberto Lastimoso last week, brought home not trophies but cartloads of goodies. Various prizes were raffled off at the closing of the tournament, and LCHS alumni stole the show by winning most of the major prizes. Peter Dy won a refrigerator; Jesus Dy, a 20" TV set; Philip Lee, a 20" TV set; Jason Sy, display cooler; Arturo Samson, turbo cooker; and Joe Tan, turbo cooker. Ruben Co, son of Jimmy Co, figured in the tournament top spot. He was runner-up in Class-D.

Henry Dy Guns for Nat'l Post.  Iligan City Councilor Henry Dy is vying for a slot in another national post. He is a top contender for Public Relations Officer of the National League of City and Municipal Councilors. This 15,000-strong organization will hold its national congress on Feb. 25-27 in Manila where a new set of officers will be elected.  Fellow alumni can help by encouraging their councilor-friends in their respective cities or municipalities to support Henry's candidacy. His victory will be another honor for both LCHS and Iligan.

Thank you
Sat, 6 Feb 1999 19:11:00 -0600

Thank you so much for responding so quickly to my request for inclusion in the Spectrum mailing list.  I wasn't expecting it so soon as I just e-mailed you an hour ago or so.  I've always enjoyed reading the Spectrum even when I was still in Iligan, or in Cebu. Enjoyed the different articles submitted by our fellow alumni some of whom I know personally.  Again thank you and more power!

Willy C. Dy (Batch '84), Houston, Texas, U.S.A.
willycdy@houston.quik.com

Jordan's King  Sassan Hussein passed away last Feb. 7, at the age of 63 due to cancer complication. His reign lasted some 46 years, one of the longest in modern history.  He is succeeded by his son, Crowned Prince Abdulla II.  Mercy and compassion to King Hussein and
Congratulations to King Abdullah!

Jeanne Nacague Te (Ong Chin Chin), Iligan, Philippines

By Ernesto L. Yu, M.D., Batch '65

Best Hello-Goodbye:  My Cebu revisit, at 40 pesos to a buck. It was stunning to pay a mere fifty American cents for a bottle of ice-cold, imported (for me) San Mig in one of the plushy beer emporiums in Cebu. Swapping cackling laughters and wicked glee with co-toothless dinosaurs, who were originally manufactured in Iligan, was a gagging replay of the treetop days of my youth. The tear-jerker moment was the realization that, in spite of billion years detachment, we still conversed and communed in the same wavelength and vibration, and floated the pervasive sense of yearning for the same age-old juvenile restlessness and sick jokes of our LCHS camaraderie.

Best Spin Doctors of Prints:  Johnny Chen and staff get a ringless point here. They translate the Spectrum into a dynamic visual art and disperse around town at face value. This is like dissecting the paper in laser-like precision, excising the sessile masses and sending them to pathology for analysis. Like medical maneuvers, it demands know-how, loads of patience and TLC, a sense to see past the pain, and strict follow-up. Unlike a real life surgical intervention, we want the isolated Spectrum cells to wriggle into the sinuses of more subscribers and induce a city-wide epidemic. Otherwise, our editorial folks will wallow in self-pity and cling more time to the psychiatrists' couches. Good attempts, mates.

Best Disturbed Mind:  What the heck is this monster? A rollercoaster trip to Nowhere land? Are we dealing with fresh recruits from the mental asylum? Is this award an offspring of a fertile imagination conceived as a space filler? Can't the editors exercise the privilege to axe insane wanderings? Why be strangled in nonsense for nothing? If you have more question marks to squeeze in, dangle the gold medal in your sleep. It's exhilarating to know that I'm not alone.

Best Online Joke:  On the eve of their golden wedding anniversary celebration, Sam has teary eyes while having a romantic candlelight dinner with wife Martha. "Honey, remember fifty years ago," Sam finally remarked in choking tone, "when your dad, who was a policeman then, caught us doing hanky-panky in your living room and he warned me that if I don't marry you that very moment, he will make sure that I will spend the next 50 years of my life in jail?" "Of course, Sam dear," Martha soothingly replied, "how can I forget such enchanting evening? But what has that got to do with the droplets in your eyes?" "Tonight," Sam regrettably countered, "I would have been a free man."

By Charles O. Sy, Batch '67

Romance is like a game of chess. One false move and you're mated. ---ooo--- On Valentine's Day,  most lovers, before heading for a motel, often go to the disco first to indulge in a little floor play. ---ooo--- Last Valentine's Day, a cardiologist sent his girlfriend a heart. It was still beating. ---ooo--- I once fell in love with a coal miner's daughter.  I told her father, "Someday, I'm gonna make her mine." ---ooo--- Whenever I get romantic, I bring my date to Cebu's highest peak called "The Top," which has a panoramic view.  There I can tell her "I love view." ---ooo--- It is said that love can be like magic. Alas, magic, most often, is just an illusion. ---ooo--- Last February 14, I dated a girl who measured 36-24-36.  But not in that order. ---ooo--- A pretty girl is like a melody.  After you marry her, you have to face the music. ---ooo-- I always go with my date to the movies holding hands.  She holds hers. I hold mine.

By Leonardo "Eddie" Tan, Batch '66

The world just witnessed the very moving state funeral of the late King Hussein of Jordan. For almost half a century he ruled a small nation right in the heart of the Middle East with a population of 4 million, mostly Palestinians and less than half his own bedouin tribe of Hashemites. The Hashemite people are said to be the direct descendants of the prophet Mohammad.  King Hussein dedicated his reign to the pursuit of peace in his very volatile region. Jordan's neighboring countries are Iraq, Syria, Saudi Arabia and Israel. He might not have achieved his elusive goal of peace, but in his death enemies came together as one during his funeral. It was just unbelievable to see leaders of all opposing nations almost standing side by side at the crowded procession. The US president could be rubbing elbows with the Iraqi Vice President. The large delegation of Israelis paying their respect to the fallen Arab leader surrounded by thousands of Muslims. A few Christian dignitaries making the sign of the cross in front of the Hashemite king. And an impressive delegation of Catholic cardinals direct from Vatican. It looked so unreal to me. For a moment, I forgot about what is happening in Kosovo, or the plight of Christians in Indonesia. Even the conflict in Mindanao. The late King Hussein once declared: "I have seen too much killing. It is time for peace." Judaism, Christianity and Islam have one thing in common in their beliefs. And that is the Ten Commandments handed down to Moses at Mt. Sinai. Upon his death, King Hussein succeeded in bringing almost all the leaders of the warring nations together to perhaps be reminded about "Love Thy Neighbor."

By Henry L. Yu, M.D., Batch '69

Undoubtedly one of the best love songs in our time as popularized by the Lettermen.  This is one immortal song that vividly bespeaks of love, a theme song of many a lover including our uncles and aunties during their heydays - of chocolates and roses, of petticoats and ukelele, and anything that represents the great era of the 50s - such times when the elders were in their courtship stage while we were the young and carefree kids running around the neighborhood, listening to jukeboxes, flying kites, playing hide and seek in a world all our own.

Love is an abstract feeling which only the lovers in us can feel.  It is a mysterious experience that only people in love can describe with all adjectives, adverbs, and superlatives there are. A lot of songs cater to love as their thematic lyrics.  A composer does it out of his loving feelings. A painter comes up with a masterpiece out of an inspiration.  A wife putting her head on a husband's shoulder.  A daughter being cuddled by her dad.  A priest counselling a penitent. All these bespeak softly of love.  Indeed, love is what the world needs - yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Love is such a mysterious feeling so much so as to make us wonder how come a husband and wife still live together under one roof despite incessant and remittent arguments and misunderstandings.  Not a few call it martyrdom.  Some reason out "for the sake of the children" and others claim it is "a personal feeling."  For whatever reasons, people do stick together because of this thing called love.  Remember our promise on that memorable altar date in the not so distant past?  "To have and to hold, for better or for worst, in sickness or in health, for richer or for poorer, till death do us part."  Yo! easier said than done.  But what has happened to that statement? What went wrong along the way? What I did for love?

People in general get married for several different reasons. But the bottomline is: LOVE. Period. But sooner we find out and realize that such love affair is followed by a comma or a question mark. For truly, one's wedding day as a celebration of love is just a maiden voyage, the beginning of life's journey together.  What it will bring, the answer is blowing in the wind. But definitely there are things we can do to keep the fire of love burning. We have to nurture it. We have to make it grow. Just as plants need air, water and sunlight, love needs the tender loving care of both the husband and the wife to fulfill love's promises.  It takes two to tango, remember?  Adjustment is the password. You do this, you do that. In order for love to last, we should try our best to safeguard each other's feelings, maintaining respect, trust, and fidelity and a litany of compromises in between.

On this heart month, we ask ourselves in all honesty: Do I still love her/him the same way ten or twenty years ago? Do I still keep up with the things I used to do? Are greeting cards, chocolate and roses still part of my expression of love? Do we still gaze at the same direction?

Happy Valentines Day to one and all!

A man in love is incomplete until he has married - then he's finished. --Zsa Zsa Gabor (b. 1919), Hungarian-born UU.S. movie star.

We don't love qualities, we love persons; sometimes by reason of their defects as well as of their qualities. --Jacques Maritain (1882-1973), French philosopher.

To fall in love is to create a religion that has a fallible god. --Jorge Luis Borges (1899-1986), Argentinian author.

He who is in love is wise and is becoming wiser, sees newly every time he looks at the object beloved, drawing from it with his eyes and his mind those virtues which it possesses. --Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882), U.S. essayist, poet, philosopher.

I do not think that what is called "love at first sight" is so great an absurdity as it is sometimes imagined to be. We generally make up our minds beforehand to the sort of person we should like, grave or gay, black, brown, or fair; with golden tresses or raven locks; and when we meet with a complete example of the qualities we admire, the bargain is soon struck. --William Hazlitt (1778-1830), English essaayist.

Love is moral even without legal marriage, but marriage is immoral without love. --Ellen Key (1849-1926), Swedish author, feminist.