INTERNET NEWSLETTER OF THE ALUMNI OF LANAO CHUNG HUA SCHOOL
Vol. II - No. 48, March 22, 1999, Iligan City, Philippines

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The Lanao Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce Inc. (LFCCCI) participated in the 22nd Biennial Convention of the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII), in Manila last March 11 to 14. The FFCCCII is the umbrella organization of over a hundred chapters in the country. The delegates from Iligan City were Christopher Chua Teck An, LFCCCI president; Sy Chu An, Jimmy Kepte Co, Henry C. Dy, and Peter C. Dy (as observer).

Mercy ship bound for Iligan

Hundreds of indigent residents in Iligan City will enjoy free medical treatments with the arrival of a mercy ship from the Netherlands on April 12.  Henry C. Dy, division lt. governor of the Kiwanis International, said the M/V Island Mercy will dock in Iligan from April 12 to May 12. The ship brings with it a crew of physicians from abroad.  Its services include optometry with patients receiving free eyeglasses and ophthalmology - cataract and pteridium surgeries; and denntal services such as extraction and filling. Henry Dy said the project, initiated by the Kiwanis Club of Iligan, is supported by the Iligan City government.

Hola from ex-LCHS Spanish teacher
Tue, 16 Mar 1999 18:23:14 -0500

Hi! My name is Raquel Clarin-Yballe. I was a member of the LCHS Faculty in 1968-69. I taught Spanish and Pilipino. I remember the principal then was Mr. Manuel Uy, and Miss Manolita Dayucos of the English department. One of the LCHS alumni, Janet Lee (1969 graduate) used to teach with me at the University of San Carlos in Cebu City. She was with the Economics department, and I was with the L.A. I am currently teaching Spanish at the Cleveland Public Schools here in Cleveland, Ohio. So, how is LCHS? Has the population gone up? Please say "hello" for me to Virgie Handumon-Te; to Larry Handumon; Robert & Elizabeth DyChutee and the younger sister of Elizabeth (gosh! I forgot her name); Castor Ong, Antonio Te, Delia Dy, Betty Bernardo, Rodolfo Yu, and Themistocles Tan. Nalimot na ko sa uban. I got your address from Dr. Ernie Yu. Thanks a lot!

Raquel Clarin Yballe, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A.
ryballe@llohio.wviz.org

Kate Ruef's stunning "Oh, For Spring!" (Spectrum, Mar. 15, 1999) celebrated the environmentalist in me. It's amazing how she tingled my hibernating senses with poetic journal entries that spread her keen awareness and wholesome respect for simple living matters. Truly, a consoling piece that should fine-tune everyone's viewfinders to the lowly crawling creatures, budding plants and misty dawn that pitch essential contributions to our ecosystem. Being a city boy whose winter is a sore season to narrate, I have long mastered the skills to extract the beauty and joy of every passing day, instead of wallowing in extreme desolation on the adverse conditions that are beyond my manipulation. With chickadees merrily stirring their band and dormant crocuses sneaking a preview of mother earth from the chilly comfort of their beds, I, too, got infected with the bug of spring.

Ernesto L. Yu, M.D. (Batch '65), Buffalo, New York, U.S.A.
Ernstyu49@aol.com

To the LCHS Graduating Class '99: Let me, a fellow alumnus, greet each of you a big CONGRATULATION!  You made it! Now, as you are about to part ways to pursue your dreams in life, let me remind you all to cherish the last few days that you will be spending with each other as classmates in high school. Cherish the rehearsals for the graduation ceremony, the graduation ball, etc. Because when it is over, everything will be different. You will be faced with a new challenge in life. A greater one that will play a big influence in your future. The next time you gather together, I'm sure you'll be reminiscing the carefree days, the lakwatsa, the different memories of high school life. Again, congratulations to you all, especially to Haydee and Sally, whom I personally know. Take care, too, and God Bless.

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

Congratulations to Chiok Hian Dy-Wang, Beng Hong Vy, Antonio Te, etc., whose children are graduating from high school come April 4, 1999. How time really flies! I'm dedicating my column in this issue to you, my dear former classmates. I'm excited as ever to see you all at our Grand Reunion 2000!

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

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.

I volunteer as CdeO area coordinator
Wed, 17 Mar 1999 13:33:24 +0800

I agree with the ideas of Loloy Tan - the mass campaign, utilizing family units, information handouts - mail them if need be, special link on our web site, the all-out campaign to heighten interest in our Y2K Grand Reunion. There's one suggestion there, too, that I cannot run away from, but to count myself in. I volunteer as area coordinator, a salesman to sell the idea and to persuade LCHS alumni based in Cagayan de Oro to join the reunion affair.  Could I be a 'loyal ambassador' of the LCHS Alumni Association? Well, I put my feet in the water by paying my "life time" dues to the association, didn't I? Now, for the rest of the blue blooded LCHSians, let's support our reunion czar, Suniel Lim, with our presence on the date; that's the least we can do. Or, better still, volunteer yourselves to work for the success of the Y2K Grand Reunion. This comes once in a blue moon and only through an affair like this can we best replay our childhood memories with our old school.

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

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

Scanning and duplicating in vivid digital pixels the headliner-mug shot of the LCHS '99 graduates, the riots of youthful colors, naked innocence and dreamy sparkles just knocked my senses off. Reflexly, my thoughts wandered through the crumbling, moldy frames of my polyester days when all I really aimed for, after being marinated and grilled in high school physics and math, was to rake out my humiliated ego from the pinning mud of barely passing marks of 75. Whoa! That was a biographical chapter when the “cream” of our senior class (Victor Chiu, Alex Rodriguez and Corazon Gutierrez, to mention the brainy dinosaurs of that era) cuddled three-digit IQs, compared to my inborn reserves of ... never mind!

Anyhow, the take-home point is college education is a set of new ball games. Basically, all the academic boo-boos and mental slips that you wished you never tattooed in your adolescence scrapbook will be vaporized by the magic wand of the old-reliable fairy godmother during your April 4th graduation rite. It will be the breakthrough moment, the chance of a lifetime to hustle with your personal rainbows of ambitions. Dude, if you have been spending hours wallowing on your supercharged hormones and social skills, and has been playing catch-up with your studies, this is the Godot you’ve been waiting for, like an occasion that sneaks a fade-away pass to let you throttle your maturity for a future of grand finales. Hence, thrust your best shot, you lucky devil; this is your second awakening to redemption. And for the geniuses of the tribe: streamline and hone your cerebral gifts more fully and remember to echo the old LCHS anthem; it’s a lovely thank you note to an alma mater that molded you into what you are today.

Of course, the rest is history. Now, I ambulate in 4-inch heels and splash my mania in the Spectrum as a sideline career. Which illustrates that you can be a glowing candle in the dark by your own design.

By Leonardo "Eddie" Tan, Batch '66

We seem to have forgotten about Viagra lately.  However, last week, I heard this latest report over the radio and I just could not believe what this wonder drug has done to the world lately. It has been reported that this wonder drug for men not only did a million miracles for failing men but also lifted up the economy.

As of today, it is still the fastest drug being prescribed by doctors to their impotent patients. Imagine millions and millions of prescriptions have already been written. What a bonanza for the drug manufacturer. However, the direct beneficiary is not only the manufacturer and the millions of men who have now renewed their license to have sex in the autumn of their lives.

The other beneficiary is the economy which, we now know in this present global village of ours, affects everyone including you and me.

Imagine the increased sales on all consumer products such as men's wear and accessories and other men's grooming products such as shaving creams and after shave lotions. Research shows that a great percentage of men just neglected their lives and physical appearance when they were "down and out." Now that they are "up and running," they are again spending a lot on their clothes, shoes, ties, belts and other items to make them look wonderful once more. Have haircut more often and again wear men's cologne. Dine in restaurant which they avoided before. These men have also found new vigor to travel perhaps to visit their former girlfriends. They try to trade in their old vehicles for a brand new car. The occupancy rate of some motels has risen a lot. And of course the manufacturers of prophylactics are enjoying business boom as well. These are just some of the indirect effects to the economy from Viagra.

There must be a great number of these men in order to make a wide ranging impact to the economy. This report confirms that sex indeed is a central activity which makes our world go round.

Never have so many owed so much to a single drug. What a side effect!

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

"There's a time for joys
A time for tears
A time we'll treasure through the years
We'll remember always Graduation Day ..."

A month before graduation, we were all gathered in the auditorium for our JS Prom. The Juniors were in their pink dresses, while the Seniors wore blue with matching fishnet stockings. The Junior and Senior males were clad in white polo shirt with necktie and black long pants. There was that Candle Lighting Ceremony, followed by the giving of leis from the Juniors to the graduating Seniors as our way of saying "Good Luck. May the good Lord bless and keep you." The dinner was followed by non-stop dancing to the tune of "Bus Stop", "Black is Black", "Diamond Ring", and other hits of the 60s. The finale was a chorus rendered by the Seniors, their version of "Softly As I Leave You". Remember how we cried knowing that very soon oceans and miles would separate us from each other, leaving our classmates and friends as we readied ourselves and moved forward to another chapter of our life?

Yes, "parting is such sweet sorrow," as what we've learned from our Literature class. "It is a little death," according to Romeo and Juliet. And Jose Mari Chan's "As I Leave You" added more pain in the most sentimental parting of the century.  But we lived in the assurance that somehow, somewhere, we could face tomorrow, knowing we'll never walk alone.

So there goes the memory of our high school graduation, circa 1969, which up to this very day we still look back with nostalgic undertones. For how can we ever forget such time in our life when the graduation of our children now brings to mind our very own when we were the high school graduates joyfully marching, feeling excited and proud - the medals, the diploma, the valedictory address, the photographer's camera, the huge audience that saw lolo, lola, our dear parents, siblings, and relatives?

Our high school graduation is indeed a once-in-a-lifetime affair. Looking back, we thank our alma mater, our mentors, the janitors, the security guards, the school bus driver, our friends and classmates for being part of that beautiful chapter in our life, but most especially for making us what we are today. Decades may have passed, but the memories of that eventful day will always linger on in our heart and mind like no other. Truly, we will always remember Graduation Day.

Life Is The Music
(Quoted from the Internet.  Author unknown)

Each of us is a silent music-maker,
a dreamer, a follower of fancy,
When no one is looking, we take rides on our dreams,
and hear music from ancient violins.

Deep inside us we know that it's life's music we hear
and that it flows through our days, our nights and our years.
A symphony played with heartstrings,
it is the music within us that we
hear each time we listen closely.

Don't let your song be unheard.
Sing and celebrate the moments ... for life, like love,
is the kind of music we cannot hold in our hands,
only in our hearts.

Three years after the LCHS Spectrum folded up in 1969, a few of the staff members, upon returning home to Iligan for summer break, had a reunion of sorts. Inevitably, the conversation included reminiscences of their LCHS days. Out of the blue, Henry Yu brought up the idea of putting up a special summer newsletter just for the summer break, to trace and make an update on the whereabouts of LCHS alumni.

Time-Out Newsletter.  On June 1972, the concept took shape and the group came out with a mimeographed newsletter called Time-Out. The single issue of Time-Out was rich in information about alumni: where they were, what they took up in college, who graduated, who got married, etc. The paper was distributed as an insertion in the Chinese Commercial News, whose distributor in Iligan was Henry Yu's father, Lim Hua Lam.

The Time-Out staff was composed of Henry Yu and Janet Lee, as editors; Betty Bernardo, Vy Beng Hong, Rene Tio, and Roderick Ngo as staff members. The issue was funded by a small group of alumni, namely Christopher Chua Teck An, Charles O. Sy, Ruben Lee, Melecia and Letecia Dy, and Shirley Co.

The Plumblossom.  For almost 20 years after the LCHS Spectrum folded up in 1969, LCHS was to remain without a student publication until 1988, when another student paper hit the scene in LCHS. The new school organ was called Plumblossom, a monthly publication of high school seniors and grade VI pupils.

The paper came out monthly with 4-6 pages per issue. It covered a wide range of features ranging from news and info about new teachers, speeches and theme compositions of students, results of oratorical contests, and other accomplishments of LCHS students.  It also carried crossword puzzles, cartoons, as well as news bits on the construction of new classrooms and other school facilities. Among its notable features were photo updates of the on-going construction of the new school building at the Pala-o campus.

The Staff.  The talents behind the Plumblossom came from high school and elementary batches of 1988-1989. They were Carlo Bodiongan, editor; Maximillian Te, associate editor; Gay Marie Tiu, managing editor; Alfred Lai II, features editor; Rose Marie Pateño, Farah Fe Genobaten, Amabelle Abadiano, Jonah Debalocus, news reporters; Aicelle Dy Pico, Jeanette Ngo, An Lin Ang Jr., feature writers; Terrence Chua, circulation manager; Brendon Bernardo & Franklin Tan, photographers;  Fernando Apao & Jonathan Mark Te, artists; Mrs. Ma. Celetin Amor-Ham & Ms. Brenda Serate, advisers.

The Plumblossom had one thing in its favor not enjoyed by its predecessors.  It harnessed the speed and facility of modern computer technology in producing its monthly issues. Something unheard of by previous LCHS publications.  Yet, like all its predecessors, it concluded its existence with the end of the school year, leaving only faint echoes of its once vibrant voice in the inner recesses of one's memory.

You see them whenever there is a fire in the city, day or night, near or afar. You see them on many occasions arriving at the fire scene way ahead of the city firemen. You see them braving the perils, risking their own life and limbs, every time a fire strikes somewhere. They are the firefighters of the Lanao Filipino Chinese Volunteer Fire Brigade. The unsung heroes of our community.

The fire brigade was founded by Go Siu Po of London Biscuits Company way back in 1979. Among the pioneers were the late Cu Chi Yong of J & K Hardware (formerly Good Morning Hardware), Sy Chu An of Lanao Products (formerly Sen Tai Sing Milling), and Henry Lee of MBH Hardware (formerly Manila Bazaar).

Today, the volunteer fire brigade is spearheaded by Calix Tan, as president, and Maning Te, as vice president. For the last two decades, James So, of Iligan Ambassador Commercial, has been the official driver and operator of the brigade's fire truck. The dedication and operations of the volunteer brigade, however, are hampered by the lack of modern facilities. Its fire truck is already 20 years old. Its siren has ceased to function and sometimes the engine doesn't even start.

As of now, the need is to have a fire truck in tip-top condition, which can greatly facilitate the firefighting operations of our alumni volunteers. It is hoped that, in due time, the Lanao Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry together with the LCHS Alumni Association will initiate some projects to help improve the facilities of the brigade.

With the passing away of member Jimmy Ling and the imminent retirement of most current members, the fire brigade is calling for new blood to join the group as volunteer members to serve the community in times of calamity.

One has to experience what it's like to have his own place go up in flames before he can truly appreciate how important the job of the volunteer firefighters is and how important good equipment is to them. I should know. These unsung heroes deserve our salute. And their equipment needs our help no less.