INTERNET NEWSLETTER OF THE ALUMNI OF LANAO CHUNG HUA SCHOOL
Vol. II - No. 46, March 8, 1999, Iligan City, Philippines

---

The LCHS-AA has set up the Secretariat for the Grand Reunion 2000. Its immediate concern is information dissemination and establishment of coordinating links among all alumni. The Secretariat is in the process of designating coordinators for each batch year as well as area coordinators. The coordinators will serve as conduits between the Secretariat and alumni, and relay information about the grand reunion to alumni in their batches or areas of residence. The Secretariat is now recruiting coordinators and is in need of volunteers to serve as coordinators for their respective batches or areas.  To contact the Secretariat, the following communication channels are available: Fax No. ++63-63-2215998 or ++63-63-2213883. E-mails: johnchen@iligan.com or charlesy@cnms.net. Postal address: Johnny Chen, Secretariat Committee, LCHS Alumni Association, P.O. Box 5721, Iligan City, LN 9200, Philippines; SMS ++63-917-922-2123.

Henry Dy named PCL liaison officer

Iligan City Councilor Henry C. Dy (Batch '64) has been appointed deputy national liaison officer of the Philippine Councilors League (PCL). His appointment was made during the national convention of all the country's city and municipal councilors in Manila last Feb. 25-28. The league counts no less than 15,000 councilors as members. Henry Dy is chairman of the Iligan City Council's committee on cooperatives and livelihood, and the committee on franchises, permits, and licenses.

Kaisa opens Tsinoy center

A new center for the Tsinoy (coined from Chinese Pinoy) has been established in Manila, Initiated by Kaisa Para Sa Kaunlaran, Inc., headed by Teresita Ang See, the Kaisa Heritage Center is located at Cabildo cor. Anda Sts., Intramuros, Manila.  The 3-storey building houses the Bahay Tsinoy, a museum of Chinese in the Philippines; the Kaisa research center and databank containing rare documents, archival and valuable research materials; a gallery of rare photos and prints about the Chinese community; ceramics and artifacts dating from the Tang, Yung, Sung, Ming and Qing dynasties; and many more historical materials about the Chinese community and its culture. Entrance fees are P50 for adults; and P30 for children and students.

Ernie's opus of musical dream
Sat, 27 Feb 1999 17:57:28 +0800

You hit it again in the Spectrum, Ernie. I like your piece ("A Flight of Musical Dream," Spectrum, Mar. 1, 1999). Straight from the heart of the father to the son; the elder prodding the younger Johann Strauss, together playing to the rapture of waltzes. Your article made me dig out those old classical CDs and tapes. Surely, I will be playing them for some time, wishing I were Dominic playing the concertos. Classical music is not a dead art, Dominic. Neither is it for Neanthertals. Nope, it is for people with gentle taste for music, people with soft vibration in their inner mind at their daily walk, and the classical piece resounds beautifully day after day. Hone those fingers like rhapsody, Dom. In time you will appreciate you did. Not all people have the skill and the opportunity. Bravo!

Rene Tio (Batch '70), Cagayan de Oro, Philippines
fishers@cdo.weblinq.com

I have just browsed through the Spectrum and I was amazed when I saw an article about me (Spectrum, Mar. 1,1999). I am a graduate of Electronics and Communications Engineering from the University of San Carlos, Cebu City, and not Computer Engineering from the MSU-IIT, as reported.  And I was not a math topnotcher ... maulaw man sad ta ana.

Marie Josiefel Quimbo Ello, Surabaya, Indonesia

This section serves as a springboard for all alumni to air their views and contribute their ideas on the LCHS Grand Reunion 2000. All LCHS alumni are invited to take part in this forum to ensure the success of the forthcoming affair.

A time to renew old ties

Congratulations to the Officers and Board of Directors of  the LCHS-AA, headed by its president Arturo Samson, for organizing the Grand Reunion 2000. I am certain that with Suniel Lim as overall chair for this grand event, everything will be smooth sailing. Knowing Boy Keng Hong, I see no reason why this affair won't spell success.

On my end, I would opt for the Aug. 4-6 schedule. If we hold it in July, chances are there will be conflicts in schedules specially for those from the U.S.A. since this is their summer break and most of them will be coming home for some other gatherings. Personally, I will be very busy too myself in the month of July since there will be 3 grand occasions that will take place in Cebu wherein I will be working side by side with my fellow doctors. And I wouldn't want to miss the LCHS Grand Reunion 2000 which happens once in a blue moon. It would really be the most appropriate time to renew friendship and camaraderie among fellow LCHS classmates, school mates, teachers, and friends.  Just the thought of it sends me to high heavens with a certain touch of euphoria. Indeed, there is joy in remembering, much more being with former comrades in person. I really look forward to Aug. 4-6, 2000 for our grand homecoming. See you all!

Henry L. Yu, M.D., (Batch '69), Cebu, Philippines

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

After a couple of weeks of daily liberal dabbing of allegro and scherzo, tonal rainbows permeated every potential orifice in our living room. The poetic harmonies that were transcribed by his fully matured hands replayed some haunting and distressing dramas of yesteryears: Our stunning screams aimed to extract pure devotion to his scheduled routines; the barters - practise an hour for a trip to the zoo, lengthen it another 30 minutes and we'll suit you for the moon - transacted signature-free in broad daylight without second thoughts; the horrendous scare-tactics that any disobedience or negative spins would enhance creepy outgrowth of horns on the forehead and a tail.

Ultimately, our "martial law" tricks seemed to accomplish some of the desired ends. Here's this once-upon-a-time fidgety kid who appeared to constantly harbor ants in his pants; who has been strapped on the chair countless times to instill the point that piano hour was a mandatory component to securing unlimited privilege to vaporize Nintendo warriors and beasts; who, after a mistake-riddled recital, was too emotionally deprived but recouped his ego after just two scoops of ice cream; who proposed that there were sacred entertainments other than the lonely brushing of the keyboard; who sometimes clung to the opinion that pianists were hermits absorbed in the propagation of solitude. Now, he savors the rosy rhapsody and bruising tenderness in greeting his childhood partner-foe. No external pressures to prod him to touch the musical instrument of his dream-nightmare. He floats plaintive melodic lines for the nostalgic awakening of his senses, for the unadulterated ecstasy of communing with his acquired reflexes ... for the classy love of reverberating allegrettos with a pinch of glee.

For our part, we axed the devilish scheme to trade away this costly frame of Dominic's legacy. As he temporarily (we hope) migrates to New Hampshire for a new life, we confess occasional echoes of his own masterpieces drifting in the numbing silence of our piano. And bit by bit, our audience days from the hazy past are rekindled ... and warm droplets condense by our brows as our hearts tick in erratic pace.

Mutely the notes dribble, bounce and fade/ Flecking nuggets of anxious sweats and jade/ Restless foreheads mellowed in silent tears/ Is this endless hazing or rainbow chasing?/ Afterglow to a flight of musical dream.

By Leonardo "Eddie" Tan, Batch '66

The Department of Education here in the state of New South Wales, Australia, has just released a very controversial pamphlet this week entitled "Your Rights In School." This has caused an uproar of objections from parents and teachers alike. According to the state authorities, this booklet was issued as a result of thousands of inquiries they received every week from students regarding their rights.

Why should the state government spend lots and lots of money for the printing of this pamphlet which would only court the ire of the parents and teachers of the whole New South Wales? This is because many kids today are also victims of abuse. Some parents just could not cope with the pressure of the today's stressful lifestyles. We have made our life so complicated today that kids, to many, have become a burden than a blessing; an inconvenience than recipient of our love. How about the teachers? They are under tremendous pressure as well controlling about 30 kids in a class with many rebellious characters after realizing that they are not well loved at home but being abused as well. Most teachers are parents under much pressure too.

Some of the rights of the students, according to this pamphlet, are: 1) Students don't have to wear school uniform as there is no law to this effect. 2) Teacher has no right to search or inspect the student's bag while in the school. 3) Teacher has no right to detain a student during lunch break. These are just a few examples of the one thousand and one provisions whereby teachers and parents have to surrender the rights to control the youngsters of our society.

And then almost everyday we hear complaints coming from everywhere about the decay of our neighbourhood. The increase of all sorts of crimes. And the alarming social problem of drug addicts. What is the solution? When the parents at home and the teachers at school lose the right to control their kids while they are still young, can a few police, whose powers are also well curtailed, establish a desired society we long for? It seems that striking a balance between rights and responsibilities for our kids today has become an elusive one.

In our time when life was then so simple, we didn't need this kind of pamphlet. We were guided only by the ordinary rules of Correct Manners and Right Conduct which were taught to us since our first grade. If we did something wrong at home, we got spanked by our parents. If we committed mistakes in school, our teachers had the right to use the feather duster and strike our palm or our rear. We were conformists and never the confrontalists.

We were old fashioned and had never been aware or cared about any kind of rights. Our common sense dictates that a punishment was inevitable when we had some wrong doings. Is common sense still alive today?

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

"It's back to reality", a very common expression we utter after a respite either within or outside our abode. As physicians, we attend medical conventions that see us away from home for three days or so, usually held out of town. Likewise, businessmen leave for other places for some business matters. Movie stars go out of town on location shooting. A family goes to a beach resort over the weekend for an overnight stay. In all these, we feel refreshed and energized after a restful sojourn. For three days, we get the chance to delineate ourselves from the usual routine. For doctors, no hospital calls, no beeper messages, no rounds, no consultations. It is truly a breather!

We sleep soundly at night without being perturbed by hospital calls with the Resident-on-Duty updating us on the condition of our patients. It feels good staying in an aircon hotel room after a whole day's schedule of listening to the scientific lectures or the fellowship fun fares. Then we wake up the following day without hurrying up to prepare for the day's agenda. We take breakfast leisurely while waiting for the start of another day's series of lectures. There's time to shop and see places or be with colleagues and friends whom we haven't seen for ages without being bothered by the beeping of our Pocketbell or Easycall. It's truly a world all our own; an opportunity to relax and commune with nature, something which we rarely get the chance to do when we are in our place of residence.

But after the three-day off-work period, it's time to come back home. Time to be the working professionals or the private persons that we are within the confines of our respective abodes. It's back to reality having broken the monotony of daily living in the tradition of "For a change" or "Variety is the spice of life."

Students and parents alike do look forward to holidays - no classes, no office works. It's time to be with the kids or with friends, enjoying certain pleasures which don't happen everyday of our lives. It's time to sort out things from the cabinet or drawer; time to read books, listen to music, watch HBOs, and a lot of other things that spell rest and relaxation. All these we get to do only during holidays.

A man needs a break from the humdrum of daily living - the executives, the factory workers, the students, the housewives, the yayas, etc. As the saying goes, "All work and no play makes Juan a dull boy." How true indeed! In a lifetime, we work so hard, catching up desperately with time more often than not. Life's fast pace leaves us with no more room to enjoy the simple pleasures of life. Amidst hectic schedule, we need to take time to relax, to smell the flowers, to witness the beauty of sunrise, to know the difference between living and existence, between happiness and joy.

Life is too short with so many things to do in a lifetime. We have to prioritize things in order to lead an organized life. God gives us 24 hours each day. How much of these are spent working, sleeping, eating, being with the family, etc.? In all these activities, let us not forget our prayer time whether we are in our working place or attending a convention, a business or pleasure trip. When I say "It's back to reality" it means the reality that, after spending days away from home, we get back to where we really belong - our family and home. In like manner, we all belong to one Father, God Almighty, to whom we go back to when all of life's mission shall have been done.

1999, being the "Year of God, the Father," should be one good reason for us not to forget Him wherever we are, whoever we are with, or whatever we are doing. And it's not only for this year but for the rest of our lives. After all, that's what life and living is all about. We started it with God, and we will end it with God. It's back to reality, the one reality that no matter who we have been, who we are, or who we will be, we all will be coming home to Him one day. Someday. IN HIS TIME.

Lessons from life: Pickup in the rain

One night, at 11:30 p.m., an older African American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rain storm. Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride.  Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car.  A young white man stopped to help her - generally unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960s. The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance and put her into a taxi cab. She seemed to be in a big hurry.  She took down his address, thanked him and drove away.  Seven days went by and a knock came on the man's door. To his surprise, a giant console color TV was delivered to his home. A special note was attached.  It read:  "Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night.  The rain drenched not only my clothes but my spirits. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband's bedside just before he passed away. God bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others. Sincerely, Mrs. Nat King Cole".  -- Contributed by Larry Sy (Batch '72), Burnham, Illinois, U.S.A.

The birth of the Scholastic Gazette in 1965 signalled the dawn of campus journalism in LCHS. But the project was not pursued by succeeding batches. It left a vacuum after it closed shop with the graduation of the staff members belonging to Batch '65.

Second School Organ.  The year 1968 saw the emergence of the second LCHS student publication, the Campus Keeper. It was published by an association of senior and junior students called the Campus Keeper Organization (CKO). The maiden issue of the Campus Keeper came off the press on Jan. 15, 1968. Like the Gazette, the Campus Keeper was printed by mimeograph and started out with a lean staff. But its staff was more organized, its objectives more focused, and its contents more diverse.

Running the Campus Keeper were Henry L. Yu (Batch '69) and Emelita Lee (Batch '68), as co-editors; Delia Dy, Roderick Ngo, and Antonio Leo Te, as columnists; and Vy Beng Hong, as staff artist. Complementing the writing staff were the CKO officers, namely Castor Lim, Elizabeth Lim, Janet Lee, Gloria Tecson, Alex Handumon, and Betty Bernardo.

Published monthly, the Campus Keeper was a merry mix of newsy tidbits and literary works of the students. Dominant in its content were campus trivia, essays and poems. There were also quizzes, humor section, profiles, and interviews. It also ran a Pilipino section called "Dahong Pilipino".

Outspoken Staff.  Like its predecessor, Campus Keeper opened doors to a new wave of budding writers such as Rodolfo Yu, Henry Yu, Janet Lee, Delia Dy, Alex Handumon, and Gloria Tecson. The articles were generally concerned with school programs and student activities. But on its second issue, February 1968, the paper became more vocal in its perceptions of the state of school facilities. Emilita Lee, in her column "Progress Notes" began to tackle more sensitive issues such as the lack of laboratory equipment and the scant supply of reference books and pamphlets in the library.  Castor Lim, president of the CKO, in his "Points to Ponder" column, sounded his alarm on the rise of vandalism within the school.

As it progressed, the paper became even more outspoken. It came out with a terse editorial in the March 1968 issue entitled "Be Fair to Everybody" that was critical of the perceived priorities given by the administration on Chinese classes over English classes. Another section called "Letters" exhorted students to air their views on a range of campus issues, such as the state of disrepair of the classrooms.

The Final Straw.  Eventually the final straw that broke the camel's back came from the incisive pen of Henry Yu. He lashed out at the lack of books in the library and its lack of a fulltime librarian, and its inconvenient location. "Who wants to go to the library when it's as high as the Tower of Paris?" he wrote in an article entitled "Let's Face the Truth." Another issue of significance that was raised in the article was the lab facilities. Citing the installation of airconditioners in the faculty room, he wrote, "Instead of spending for books, lab equipment, specimens, etc., it is utilized for the benefit of those things that are not so necessary."

For the first time in years, the Campus Keeper had crystallized nagging issues confronting the school, and the students had found in the Campus Keeper a mouthpiece that dealt with issues they could personally relate to.  Yet by doing so, the Campus Keeper also found itself stirring a hornet's nest.  School officials, long accustomed to a benign and complacent studentry, were outraged.  Consequently, Henry Yu was summoned to the principal's office and given a severe tongue lashing, which eventually led to his voluntary banishment to another school. Thus ended another chapter of the student press in LCHS.  (Next issue, the Plum Blossom)