Spectrum
Internet Newsletter of the Alumni of Lanao Chung Hua School
Vol. 4, No. 2, May 1, 2000, Iligan City, Philippines
OUTSTANDING ALUMNI AWARD
Nominations deadline: May 30

Vy Beng Hong (Batch '69), GAH Awards Committee Chairman, announced that the deadline for the submission of nominations for "Outstanding LCHS Alumni Achievers Award" has been reset from April 30 to May 30, 2000.  The move is meant to accommodate nominations from alumni residing outside Iligan who do not have the Nomination Form. The prescribed form has been made available on the Internet at this website: http://www.iligan.com/~lchs/alumni/reunion.htm.

To access the Nomination Form, click on the hypertext labeled "Nomination Form" on the web page. To browse the criteria, click on "Search for LCHS Achievers." To use the Nomination Form, print out a hard copy of the form; fill in the data; and mail it by post to Vy Beng Hong, Chairman, Awards Committee, c/o San Cha Trading, Quezon Ave., Iligan City 9200, Philippines; or by fax to Vy Beng Hong, Fax No. (063)221-5301.  Inquiries may be coursed through the Secretariat, e-mail: johnchen@iligan.com
 

EDITORIAL STAFF
Charles O. Sy, Editor
Henry L. Yu, Associate Editor
Correspondents:
Iligan - Johnny Chen, Teresita Racines, Vinson Ngo, & Roger Suminguit. Cebu- Igdono Caracho. Metro Manila - Marie Janiefer Lee. Canada - Peter Dy & Mike Lee. Australia- Leonardo Tan. U.S.A. - Ernesto Yu, Alex Rodriguez, Aurora Tansiokhian, & Alfred Lai II.
Founded Aug. 1, 1968. Published fortnightly since its revival on April 15, 1997. Distributed free on the Internet to LCHS alumni and supporters worldwide. Postal address: LCHS Alumni Association, Lanao Chung Hua School, Pala-o, Iligan City, Philippines. Website:
http://www.iligan.com/~lchs/alumni/
For subscription, contact: Johnny Chen, Tel. No. (063) 221-3883. Email: johnchen@iligan.com
For submission of manuscripts, Email: charlesy@cnms.net
13 WEEKS
to Grand Homecoming
TracersFeet
Remember Susan Kennedy?

Jensens"Tracers" recently tracked down Susan Kennedy (now Susan Jensen), who spent a year as a U.S. exchange student at LCHS in 1994. While in Iligan, she stayed with the family of Henry Siao.  Her charm and friendliness earned for her many friends during her stint at LCHS.

Soon after she returned to her hometown in Provo, Utah, U.S.A., Susan proceeded with her college studies at the Brigham Young University in Provo.  She graduated from the same university in April 1997 with a Bachelor's degree in English.  Susan plans to pursue her Master's in English or Education when her son gets a little older.  She's married to Eric Jensen, who obtained his Bachelor's degree in Spanish last April 22. They have a son, TJ (for Thomas Jordan) who is 17 months old.  "He is a wonderful kid," says Susan of her baby. "He loves to explore every nook and cranny of his environment.  In America, we say he is 'all boy'."  The Jensens plan to move to Mesa, Arizona soon. Of LCHS, Susan has this to say: "I hope someday that I can come back to Iligan and bring my family, but for now I will have to keep in touch through e-mail and the Spectrum. I appreciate your including me as an alumna, since I have many fond memories of LCHS and consider all of you (especially the graduating class of 1994) to be great friends."  Susan Jensen can be reached on her e-mail address: susanjensen@usa.net

GAH list-up picks up steam
By Teresita Racines (Batch '67)

Now with only three months away, the Grand Alumni Homecoming (GAH) is gradually picking up steam.  Some 36 alumni have now registered and paid the GAH fee of P1,500 each. They are Jimmy Ang, Aldo Caracho, Igdono Caracho, Johnny Chen, Alexander Chua, Steward Co, Maria Jo Cu, Carlos Dy, Sio Te Dy, Greg Dy, Dy Sheik Tong, Manuel Gaite, Alicia Cu Go, Susan Jo, Andy Lee, Marie Janiefer Lee, Helen Lim, Belinda Cu Lim, Alice Militante, Roderick Ngo, Fe Quimbo, Marie Joan Quimbo, Sherlita Racines, Teresita Racines, Arturo Samson, Franklin Siao, Jane Sy, Lydia Sy, Charles O. Sy, Angelie Tan, Geraldine Tan, Eugene Taongan, Ernest Oliver Uy, Emily Uy, Chiok Hian Wang, and Roger Suminguit. Total registration fees collected: P54,000.  Meanwhile, the campaign for ad placements in the GAH souvenir program garnered P87,500, as of April 24. These represent the full page ads at P3,000 per page paid by supportive companies and individuals, and the back cover ad of P12,500 paid by Oro Port, Inc.  All alumni are requested to register now for the GAH and help solicit more ads to ensure a successful Grand Alumni Homecoming on Aug. 3-5, 2000. Registration forms and ad solicitation forms are available at the Secretariat Office, Tan Lam Glass Palace., Quezon Ave. Ext., Iligan City, Tel. No. (063)223-1555.

Spectrum mini reunion in Cebu

Several staff members of the Spectrum held a mini reunion in Cebu City with the arrival of columnist Leonardo "Loloy" Tan last April 26.  Loloy stopped by Cebu with his wife Lelian and mother in law en route to a month-long vacation in hometown Iligan.  Shown in left photo hereunder are (l to r) Charles O. Sy, Igdono Caracho, Henry Yu, Elizabeth Dy, Lelian Tan, Loloy Tan, and Arthur Dy.  Right photo shows Lelian and Loloy in close-up.

LoloyCloseup
OBITUARY
By Igdono Caracho (Batch '66)

Charita Sia Po, 49, of Batch '69, died of a lingering illness on April 20, 2000, in Iligan City.  Interment will be on April 29 at the Pryce Memorial Garden, Iligan.  Necrological rites were conducted by her sisters in the Order of the Eastern Star - Maria Cristina Chapter No 13. She is survived by her husband Johnny Po, owner of Pagoda Restaurant, and 3 children Jonathan (Batch '92), Johnson (Batch '94), and Jensine Christine.

EmailsMail
Suggestions for the GAH
Mon, 17 Apr 2000 20:54:14 -0700

As you all know, there will be some balikbayan alumni who will be attending the Grand Alumni Homecoming (GAH). I think it would be nice to give our balikbayan alumni a token of recognition during the awarding ceremony.  Even just letting each balikbayan go up the stage and be introduced would be nice. This will show the fruits of our Alma Mater, LCHS.  We should also pay tribute to those alumni who already passed away.  Suggestions:  (1) A Catholic mass at the Chinese cemetery or St. Michael's Cathedral for all the departed alumni; and (2) Recognition of departed alumni at the GAH: names, batch, achievements, and maybe awards to those departed alumni who helped a lot in the foundation of LCHS and Chinese-Filipino Chamber of Commerce like Dy Sun Kang, Cresencio Tan, among others.  --Evelyn Yu-Go (Batch '77), Houston, Texas, U.S.A., ejyugo@express-news.net

* * * * * * * * * *

Greetings from Vienna
Thu, 13 Apr 2000 12:07:32 +0200

Thank you very much for sending me the Spectrum. I have been out of the Philippines for quite a long time already.  I am very glad to read what's new and what's on in our hometown of Iligan. My best regards to the Spectrum staff.  --Richan Francisco, Vienna, Austria, francisco.richan@chello.at

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

Texts For Reunion

There are sporadic perks in our lives when we get ensnared in the gleeful mood to just watch the day go by while scribbling a lazy prose: Those hushed notes in our hearts that beg to breathe in the open air; the reveries that yearn to fly and touch the very stars in our wistful flights; those trapped-in-guarded-silence murmurs that long to gather steam to evolve into soaring vocal chops. Since I'm of the persuasion that captures, deciphers and translates any sensuous delights into printed souvenirs, here are some byproducts of those captivating moments in time. Actually, these are elongated versions of the Philippines' New Agey "texts in wireless phone." Except that I exercise the liberty to stretch fearlessly the syllables as I have no word limit to respect.

Spring flowers come and go, like swoony rapture staged in any sideshow. But rosy rhapsody from your lips will never be allowed to dip. Little slices of heaven are mine to bundle and keep. Truly amazing how you narrow a distance. Your tidings spice cheers to every instance. Thus, I've recruited saints to secure your beams. Every stray minute without you is worst than a nagging migraine.

It is harrowing to juggle the thought of being swallowed in airplane pockets. The dizzying punches to the ears, the killer boredom injected into eye sockets. It is nauseating to visualize the wasted hours in transit. The evil ways of jet lags and strapped on hard seats. Yet, I'd willingly surrender my cells to this awful drama if only to replay the old familiar LCHS sonata. For friends in good times and bad will be home in Iligan's sky, pasting rainbows and solid fun to drip-dry.

I love the splendor in sunrises. It vibrates a symphonic fix for my senses. With glows as radiant as your twinkling smiles, I can chug along a hundred more miles. Such is the joy in every morning. A catchy jingle that dazzles till evening. But the best is snuggling daily for sunset ride. I set sail warmly by your side. The lingering peace hums a sleepy melody. A lullaby for wornout nerves to melt away. Gosh, are you a special angel from above? Dispatched to zap my dewy moments of anguished sobs? If you are a recurring dream, don't shake me off from this healing realm. If you are the missing half in loveliness, I'll treasure you as precious as happiness. You trained my heart to smile widely. To every word that you whisper sweetly. How long will this magic live to please? Is there a time frame more than endless? Boy, had I let you go, I would not have marveled at such show.

As our grand reunion starts to pulse, I sincerely expect to hug hellos and trade handshakes with any mortals who sense the emotional resonance of the above language emitting from my soul. It has been many moons ago that I was an integral part of Lanao's census and that I've laughed into a state of dehydration with comrades of a vanished era. As such, I plan to blast my way into everyone's heart with giddy anticipation and a big bang, to weave new memories that will last for a lifetime. Now be a dear, don't make my brain sweat imagining your age spots, weather lines and soggy backsides. Pack yourself, the family, the historical echoes of your youth (psychedelic pants, sideburns, the whole nine yards). We will bash in the faint traces of our shared past.

We will meet, greet, surprise and amuse each other and part. And we cross our fingers on the promise that we will meet again in some other path.

HeartJan
By Marie Janiefer Q. Lee, Batch '87

Till Death Do Us Bark

The Spectrum starts another year and it is just the right time to reaffirm our commitment to support it and take it to more fruitful years.

I got my first glimpse of the Spectrum a year ago.  It was when I first wrote something for my mother's birthday.  It was also my first time to go on-line.  I often hear my mother, sisters, and uncles talk about the Spectrum but I've never read one before April 1999.  My uncle Peter has been telling me to contribute some write-ups.  I just thought, well, who would want to read something from me? But when I read the April 12, 1999 issue and found out that most of the writers were from several batches ahead of us -- I mean they belong to batch 50s, 60s and 70s (no offense meant, guys) -- I thought it was about time to raise the flag of batch 1987.

I thought that I must contribute something to this newsletter in my small way just to show the readers that the younger batches (if I can still call our batch young), are still around, alive and kicking.

I greatly admire how well the following people write:  Charles Sy, Dr. Ernie Yu, Dr. Henry Yu, Eddie Tan, Rene Tio and Dr. Aurora Tansiokhian.  I feel that they are an endangered species. Again no offense meant, guys; I meant it as a compliment. I guess our quality of education couldn't produce more of their kind.  But that's another issue.

Every time I start a new article I always choose my words gingerly, knowing that the material will go through the quality-control check of our editor.  I know that no matter how busy he is warding off the girls from his door, he still makes it a point to check our articles.  Yet even if  I'd never be able to write as well as my Spectrum colleagues, I still write.  I would then encourage my friends and relatives to subscribe to the Spectrum just so someone would read my column.

I've always loved writing. I've probably written pieces that are just left rotting and forgotten somewhere.  So when Charles Sy invited me to join the Spectrum staff, well, I answered YES without any pakipot.  I told him that even if he didn't ask I'd still contribute regularly. Some people may say "bagag nawong."  Yes, this time I really put my being a talawan inside the closet and put my bagang nawong forward. I thought that if there's a need that I can fill, then why not.  I said to myself: if not us, then who will? If not now, then when?

I know most of the Spectrum writers lead very busy lives. Yet for the sheer passion of writing they always manage to find time to write. So since I lead a comparatively simpler life I don't have a valid excuse to miss an issue.  I thank all our readers for keeping us going. I know that you have to put up with my articles, especially the zany ones that I dish out most of the time. Well, guess you don't have a choice, right? Because they put my column next to the column of the eloquent Dr. Ernie Yu.

So on behalf of everybody behind the Spectrum, as long as you don't mind our barking, you can be assured that we shall continue this pursuit -- till death do us bark, este, till death do as part.

LoloyBriefs
By Leonardo "Eddie" Tan, Batch '66

Golden Bus Ride Down Memory Lane

A Chinese proverb says a picture is worth a thousand words. Tell me then about the picture of our old school bus featured in our third anniversary issue two weeks ago. Not much really except it was a typical school bus: a 1948 model Chevrolet truck with yellow orange color.

But it was very much a part of our early life in LCHS, particularly for those of us who started the first kindergarten days when the bus was first introduced as a new service of the school in the mid-50s. I think I was one of those privileged ones. And that picture just brought back to me many fond memories.

First of all, that bus came with a very popular nursery rhyme taught to us in kindergarten by Mrs. Tan or Haw Tiu New. No one will ever forget the very simple lyrics and the melody of "Haw Chia Lai Lo / Haw Chia Lai Lo / Gua Bei Tuo Ke Lo / Gua Bei Tuo Ke Lo / Pak To Yaw / Pak To Yaw!"

Like many of my fellow LCHSians, perhaps this is the only song I could still remember by heart. It occupies a very special place in my mind. I wonder if that song was composed by Mrs. Tan herself.

It was always a contest to race for the school bus after every dismissal at high noon when we all felt pak to yaw, and eager to get home for that lunch. Everyone seemed to have his own favorite seat in that bus. For me it was that seat by the window just above the rear wheels. It was very special for me to sit there. Because of the wheels underneath, that spot had a raised box-like platform on the floor of the bus which provided my little pair of weary and tired feet something to rest on. It was really much more comfortable that way than to leave my feet dangling in the air. So how could I occupy my favorite seat when every time it was always a first come first served basis? Like a good basketballer, I would shoot my school bag into that particular window of the bus. Of course there were a few times when I missed and my books, pencils and papers would fly around and scatter everywhere. Some bigger boys would climb from the side with the rear tire serving as steps.

Although the bus driver, Nicomedes, was no Sandra Bullock, he was especially friendly to me and he treated me well. I later found out that he was a veteran of Dy Chu Tee & Company. I don't remember if there was any other driver aside from him. But he was also very loyal to school policy. No matter how many times my mother complained to him about the bus routing, there was no way Nicomedes would deviate from the instruction given to him. My mother's complaint was why I was always the first one to be fetched but last to be brought home. This had something to do with the place where we lived at that time. We were then residing in Ilaya which was a block behind St. Michael's College. Fifty years ago that was almost the edge of Iligan proper. And among the school bus passengers I lived the farthest from school. So the school bus would pick me up first, followed then by those who were living closer and closer to school. But in going home it was the other way around. The bus would drop off those closer to school first with me as the last. I remember I had practically only around 25 minutes in between drop off at midday and pickup time for the afternoon classes. I was taught early about the tyranny of distance. But during those days, I also logged the most mileage of the bus ride! And I enjoyed it.

As we grew older, the school bus would serve us in many different ways. Like transporting us to Timoga for our excursions. Or during our Christmas caroling in farflung places like Initao. It also became the official transport of our LCHS basketball team. And when parked inside the campus, it became an alternative and convenient meeting place for boys and girls.

It was our golden bus of yesteryears now only riding down in our memory lane.

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

The Month of May

MAY, the fifth month of the year with 31 days, is the peak of summer when days are longer, with the sun setting much later, when twilight and dawn are just too humid.  It is when our electric bill soars up higher than the usual.

MAY is the name of a neighbor who used to be one of our playmates all games coming in 2’s as in balay-balay, luto-luto, tago-tago, etc.

MAY is the flower month when we celebrate Flores de Mayo, the Santa Cruzan, and a litany of fiestas and endless kumbiras.

MAY is the name of a pharmaceutical company which continuously support me and my many projects in the medical association.

There are of course other memorable occasions that took/take place in MAY, all of which pose great significance because the people involved are very much a part of my dear life. Among these are:

-MAY l:  Labor Day. It is marked red in the calendar ever since I can remember. I used to wonder what's in Labor Day that it is declared a special public non-working holiday when veterans in uniform would join the parade along with other laborers and workers. Then there's KMU (Kilusang Mayo Uno) which we always see each time they stage a rally for a cause to the tune of "Ibagsak! Ibagsak!"

-MAY l4 (or the second Sunday of May): Mother's Day. It is the perfect time to remember mama, mommy, or nanay, she who is God's number one instrument responsible for making us what we are today.

-MAY 2 (l970): Wedding anniversary of my eldest sister Mila, she who was the deciding factor for my taking up Pre-Med in Silliman at a time when my parents would have wanted me to take up Business Administration at St. Michael's College in Iligan way back in l969 when I was the naive high school graduate in crew cut.

-MAY 7 (l935): Birthday of one of my favorite aunties (Felisa Tan-Manio), she who showered me with so much love and attention when I was a kid, cooking my favorite dinuguan, sinigang, and pancit molo.

-MAY 8 (l949): Birthday of my older brother Ernie, he who serves as my role model: as a good doctor, writer, artist, PR officer, humorist, and all.

-MAY 23 (l957): The day when a conflagration hit Iligan. That time we were approaching the shore of Iligan aboard M/V Don Victoriano from our summer vacation in Dumaguete. Being nomads was indeed a tragedy in evolution.

-MAY 24 (l971): My first time to go to "the Capital City of the Philippines." I had the chance to watch the Santa Cruzan, as well as the Manila Film Festival Parade of Stars. Seeing in person my favorite actors and actresses was a dream come true.

-MAY 20 (l972): I attended the national convention of the Chinese Catholic Youth Organization  (CCYO) in Zamboanga City where I met delegates from other chapters, one of whom was Yolanda Yap (now known as Siansi Dy) who, after 27 years, would become my daughter Hannah's teacher in Chinese at Sacred Heart School for Girls.

-MAY l8 (l975): My first time to attend the annual convention of the Philippine Medical Association in Manila at the age of 23, not knowing that sixteen years later, in l991, I would be awarded by PMA as the year's "Most Outstanding Secretary" and that twenty three years later, in l998, would become the centennial President of the Cebu Medical Society.

-MAY l5 (l983): The wedding of Dr. Pek Eng Lim, he who has helped me put up my medical clinic. I was the cord sponsor that sunny Sunday morning when he and Evelyn Gaw exchanged "I do's."

-MAY 22 (l991): I was in Manila for a medical convention. On our way home from the fellowship night, we passed by an area in Quezon City where a vehicular accident took place. The following day, it was all in the papers: "Brocka Died of Car Accident." It broke my heart as I was an avid fan of the legendary Lino Brocka who was undoubtedly one of the best film directors I would have wanted to meet in person. Incidentally, we share the same birthday (April 3), only he was born thirteen years ahead in l939.

As in the other months of the year, THE MONTH OF MAY has brought forth many memories in my life which are certainly hard to forget. I can only pray and hope that MAY of the coming years will bestow upon me beautiful and wonderful memories which will all be part of history in the future, during the golden or diamond years of my life.

FeaturesStar

The Cha-Cha in Life
By Evelyn Yu Go
Batch 1977

Left foot forward, right foot forward, left foot backward, right foot backward, stump! stump! 1-2-3, swing to the right, swing to the left, stump! stump! 1-2-3...

Sounds familiar? It's the Cha-Cha dance! A dance I tried to learn since I was in grade school at LCHS, but never really mastered it. A dancing lesson I took during the recent Caribbean cruise we had with a 70-year-old or maybe 70 plus woman as my dancing partner, who complimented me as "a graceful dancer!" And I thought to myself: Yeah, right -- among those with arthritis!  Ooopps!  Anyway, thank you, Granny. And on disembarkation day while having our breakfast at the Horizon Food Court, sweet Granny approached our table and said: "Good-bye, Cha-Cha partner!" Wow! She remembered me!

Life can be like the Cha-Cha. It is constantly in motion and fast pace. You need to have full concentration or you lose track of the steps. You need to have a healthy body, mind and soul to go with the beats. Each step is part of the whole dance. If you miss a step, you lose the rhythm, and must go back from the start and try again. In life, we don't win all the time. There are times when we fail, but it doesn't mean that's the end of it. Constant practice of the Cha-Cha makes it perfect and smooth. It may take several times of downfall before the triumphant throne.  Each fall is a fertilizer to our roots in life.  It makes us wiser and brave, a better person with richer insight in the realities of life and the joy of living. It helps us to understand others who are going through the tunnels we went through in our life's journey.

Just as one can't learn the Cha-Cha without an instructor and the music, so can't one live and appreciate life to the fullest without God who guides and protects us each step of the way. Lord Jesus, I count my blessings today and I thank You for each one of them. I pray that You will continually walk beside me everyday of my life and carry me in Your arms when I'm miss my step and fall. Amen. 1