Internet Newsletter of the Alumni of Lanao Chung Hua School Vol. 3, No. 3, May 3, 1999, Iligan City, Philippines 1st LCHS ALUMNI HOMECOMING Grand reunion set Aug. 3-5, 2000 By Johnny Chen (Batch '83) The 1st LCHS Alumni Homecoming and Grand Reunion is set on Aug. 3-5, 2000 (Thursday to Saturday). This was decided by the LCHS-AA Board of Directors during its monthly meeting last April 16. The Board also decided to leave Sunday, Aug. 6, 2000, free. This is to allow homecoming alumni to get together with their families and for alumni batches to hold their individual class reunions. Sally Vy is Globe Telecom awardee By Teresita Racines (Batch '67) & Rene Tio (Batch '70) Sally Vy (in photo), LCHS class '99 valedictorian, was chosen one of the 15 Globe Telecom Academic Achievement Awardees for 1999 among high school students nationwide. The awarding ceremony was held last April 16 at the Hotel Intercon, Makati City. Sally was accompanied to the ceremony by Elizabeth David, head of LCHS English department. Sally came home richer with a cash prize of P10,000, plus a trophy each for herself and for LCHS. She is the daughter of Beng Hong and Shirley Vy.

EDITORIAL STAFF Charles O. Sy, Editor Henry L. Yu, Associate Editor Correspondents: Iligan - Johnny Chen, Alfred Lai II, Teresita Racines & Vinson Ngo. 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 Founded Aug. 1, 1968. Published fortnightly since its revival on April 15, 1997. Distributed free to LCHS alumni, friends 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. E-mail: johnchen@iligan.com Address articles & comments to the editors, e-mail: charlesy@cnms.net Countdown: 64 WEEKS before Grand Reunion

Civic leader Sy Chu An (in photo) has been reelected president of the LCHS Board of Trustees. The election was held during the Board meeting last April 5. The new officers for 1999-2000 are: Sy Chu An, president; Vy Beng Hong, executive VP; Luis Kho & Fernando Khu, VPs; Dominic Siao, secretary; Jason Sy, asst. secretary; Edwin Co, treasurer; Richard Sy, asst. treasurer; Henry Dy, PRO; and Christopher Chua Teck An, asst. PRO. The new committee chairmen are, for education - Henry Siao, chairman; Sy Chu Pin, assistaant; general services - Jose Lim Teck Hua, chairman; Sy Beng Gui, assistant; sports - Dy Sung Kang, chairman; Francisco Dy Pico, assistant; coordination - Arturo Samson, chairman; Johnny Sim, assistant; school facilities - Robert Co, chairman; Henry Lee, assistant. Composing the finance committee are Sy Chu An, chairman; Jimmy Co Kepte, vice chairman; Henry Siao, Henry Dy, Sy Chu Pin, and Christopher Chua Teck An, members.

Batch coordinators hold 1st powwow
By Alfred Lai II (Batch '89)

The first meeting of batch coordinators for the 1st LCHS Grand Alumni Homecoming reeled off last April 25 at 2:30 p.m., at the JY Dimsum House. The meeting was conducted by LCHS-AA top guns, namely, president Arturo Samson, Johnny Chen, Rodolfo Yu, Teresita Racines, Suniel Lim, and Glenda Sy-Cabilan. Present was the initial group of batch coordinators, namely July Ng (Batch '99), Philchin Ng (Batch '97), Sheryl Yu (Batch '96), Vivian Yu (Batch '94), Alfred Lai II (Batch '89), Angelie Tan & Geraldine Tan (Batch '87), Steward Co (Batch '83), Nanette Chio Hernandez (Batch '77), Catalina Decipolo (Batch '75), Sherley Woo Racaza & Nida Tejada (Batch '74), Evangeline Tan  (Batch '71), Elena Lim (Batch '66), and Victor Chiu (Batch '65).

Discussion centered on updating of batch lists, locations of batch members, and role of the batch coordinators. Batch coordinators were advised to start communicating with their batch mates about the grand reunion. They will be authorized to register their respective batch members and collect registration fees. Their ideas were also solicited on the proposed search for the "Top Ten Outstanding Alumni" in various fields of endeavor. They also discussed the suggestion for the staging of a booth fair where memorabilias will be exhibited. With less than 65 weeks to go, we fervently hope that, with the involvement of all alumni batches, the grand homecoming will be a blast. More volunteers for batch and area coordinators are needed. The next meeting for batch and area coordinators is schedule on May 30, 1999.

IliGANet extends free Internet to mercy ship
Vinson Ngo (Batch '83)

The hospital ship, M/V Island Mercy, arrived Iligan City from New Zealand last April 16. It is conducting a month-long free medical clinic for over 6,000 eye and dental patients from indigent families. Several doctors in Iligan have volunteered their services to augment the staff of the Mercy ship. Iligan Global Access Network, Inc. (IliGANet) has also come forward to lend a hand to the mercy mission. IliGANet, represented by alumni Jose Chu and Vinson Ngo, together with Barry Baguio, has provided the mercy ship a surfing station where it can use e-mail and access the Internet for free.

Remembering George Po
Wed, 28 Apr 1999 10:32:43 -0600

It really saddened me to learn that George Po passed away (Spectrum, April 19, 1999 issue). I remember that before I came to Canada I would fetch George Po every Sunday and we would go swimming together near the Pillsbury plant site. And almost every day during our morning break at 10:00 a.m., he would drop by at Robert Co's store and the three of us would go for arrozcaldo at the Sheker building. He was such a fun guy to be with.

Mike Lee (Batch '66), Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
mnmm@freenet.edmonton.ab.ca

In response to "Damned If You Do, Damned If You Don't" by Janiefer Q. Lee (Spectrum, April 19, 1999 issue), I personally believe that the role of parents is to guide and protect their children. Every parent wants what is best for her/his child. To some extent this wish of giving the best to one's child ends up with overprotectiveness for fear that something might go wrong along the way. Life is no guarantee; it is a journey and it involves a lot of changes. To survive in life means flexibility, the willingness to accept and adapt to changes. Parents are not to dictate nor decide for their children especially with their personal choices in life like choosing whom to marry. After all, it is going to be their children's lives. Parents can only hope for the best: that the mustard seed that they planted will land on good soil and bear good fruits. Our life on earth is a borrowed one from God. It is a privilege that God granted to His people to live and enjoy, to value and appreciate both its failures and success. There is a choice in life and it is up to the person concerned whether she/he chooses to be happy or be miserable. Society can always be judgmental  - it is easy to point the finger on someonee else.

Evelyn Yu-Go (Batch '77),  San Antonio, Texas, U.S.A.
ejyugo@express-new.net

Greetings from the Windy City - Chicago, U.S.A.! With your leadership and guidance, the Spectrum will flourish regardless of whether it's a fortnightly or a weekly. Your batch list for 1958 (Spectrum, April 12, 1999 issue) seems to be incomplete. I don't see my name on Batch '58 to which I belong. Just verifying. Please inform the Grand Reunion Steering Committee that I hereby volunteer as area coordinator or contact person for Mid-West, U.S.A.

Greg Dy, M.D. (Batch '58), Chicago, Ill., U.S.A.
gregdy@juno.com

(Editor's Note: The Secretariat will take note of your volunteering as well as your inclusion in Batch '58. The batch data were secured from existing school records which probably indicate only those who completed 4th year at LCHS. Hence, the Secretariat will need to be notified by those alumni concerned, whose names are missing in their batch list, so that they will be relisted accordingly.)

Enterprising alumni in Iligan

Looking for an ideal site for your summer picnic? How about Chelina Beach Resort? This seaside hideaway is owned and managed by alumni couple Gerry Chin and his wife, Eva Uy-Chin (daughter of Esteban Uy). The resort, which comes complete with a swimming pool and restaurant, is located at Pandan, Sta. Filomena, Iligan City. Also into food and restaurant business is another enterprising alumni tandem, Charita Sia-Po (Batch '69) and Johnny Po. The couple runs Pagoda Restaurant, specializing in Chinese cuisine, located along Quezon Ave. Another alumnus, Jorge Racines Jr. (Batch '73), is into bakery business. Jorge and his wife Rufina own the Peena's Bakeshop, at Torralba Bldg., along Roxas Ave. They specialize in wedding cakes, pastries and a wide selection of delectable cookies. Jorge's elder brother, Julius Racines  (Batch '69), on the other hand, runs the JE Racines Enterprises, dealing in hardware and construction materials at Tubod Highway. Another alumni bake shop is Victoria Bakery, one of the city's long established bakeries. It is owned by the family of Johnny Chen (Batch '83), located at the back of St. Michael's College, Gen. Aguinaldo St.  Heard ...  Jaime Rodriguez (Batch '65) and his wife are now residents of Cebu City.  "Tracers" is in the process of tracking down their exact address. Stay tuned.

New staff members

Janiefer & Vinson.  With this issue, we welcome two new members to our editorial pool: Marie Janiefer Q. Lee and Vinson T. Ngo. Janiefer, of Batch '87, will be our correspondent for Metro Manila, where she and her husband Stanley Lee run the Karplus Marketing. Janiefer, daughter of Fe Dy Quimbo, is a Business Administration graduate of UP Diliman. Vinson, of Batch '83, fills the slot vacated by Santi Ong, who is on leave as Iligan correspondent to attend to pressing matters. Vinson is a Marketing graduate of the Far Eastern University in Manila. He is currently the director for marketing of Microtouch Computer Systems and the Iligan Global Access Network, Inc. (IliGANet). Both Janiefer and Vinson bring with them the voice and dynamism of the younger generation of LCHS alumni.

New Spectrum Subscribers.  Like mushrooms, subscribers to the Spectrum continue to multiply without letup. The latest additions are: Brendon Bernardo (Batch '89), Iligan; Nelson Sy (Batch '62), Cebu; Willy C. Dy (Batch '84), Houston, Texas, U.S.A.; Raquel Clarin Yballe, (former LCHS teacher), Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A.; Maya Siao-Tollison, Missouri, U.S.A.; Evelyn Yu-Go (Batch '77), San Antonio, Texas, U.S.A.; Sy Chu Pin, Iligan; Sy Chu An, Iligan; Wilson Lim (Batch '66), Manila; Marie Janiefer Q. Lee (Batch '87), Makati; Godwin Lim, Iligan; Peachy Lynn Lim, Iligan; and Edwin S. Ang, Iligan.

The following batch listing is supplied by the Reunion Steering Committee based on available school records and other individual resources. If you notice any names missing, please bring them to the attention of the Steering Committee or the Spectrum.

BATCH 1962:  Felisa Booc; Maurito Chan; Annie Dy; Concepcion Go; Rosalinda Go; Virginia Handumon; Gloria Lagrosas Ho; Luzminda Lagrosas; Lim Jose Teck Hua; Benito Ong Jr.; Elita Ong; Alexander Samson; Franklin Siao; Consolatriz Sun; Amelia Lehwa Sy; Augusto Sy; Nelson Sy; Peter Sy; Victor "Eng Bik" Sy; Virna Sy; Consolacion Tan; Teodoro Tan; Bonifacio Te; Rolando Te; and Soledad Yu.

BATCH 1963:  Elsa Ang; Catalino Benolerao; Ursulina Bernardo; Jesus Dy; Ong Ching An; Siok Ching Dy; Romeo "Chung Bing" Go; Virginia Hoy; Godfrey Siao; Cristina Lim; Leoncia Sy; Manuel "Aki" Tan; Miguela Mila L. Yu; and Lelisa Wong.

BATCH 1964:  Santiago Chan;  Elizabeth Co; Peter Co; Henry C. Dy; Johnson C. Dy; Josefina Dy; Teresita Go; Victoria Go; Lilia Lee; Victoria "Shiok An" Kho; Wilson Lao; Alberto Rodriguez; Yolando Siao; George "Hong Kiau" Sy; Florcita Tiu Huan Sy; Remedios Tan; and Nora Uy.

BATCH 1965:  Vicente Balucan; Alberto Bernardo; Antonio Chan; Carmen Chan; Charie Chin; Fernando Chin; Victor Chiu; Bonifacia Co; Kim Hua Debalucos; Antonio "Alaska" Dy; Sio Te Dy; John Go; Corazon Gutierrez; Fernando Khu; Artemio Lagrosas; Carmen Lee; Carmen Lim; Clemente Lim; Joel Dy Lituan; Charmaine Molo; Victor "Ching Suy" Ong; Alex Rodriguez; Jaime Rodriguez; Johnson Sy; Lydia Sy; Norma Sy; Marciano Tan; Manuel Te; James Tio Huan; Anita Uy; Glicerio Uy; and Ernesto Yu.  (To be continued)

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

Extrapolated from raw data featured in one of those throwaway journals, a homo sapien lifespan exponentially spirals northward if he surmounts - granted no medical catastrophes (hypertension, diabetes, heart failure) - the ages between 50-60. This should be a soothing refrain to those staggering dinosaurs who have long surpassed the cut-off point. For me who is just gnashing incisors to hit the starting line, it signifies crossing fingers and anticipating, with a palpable dose of nocturnal petitions to my band of guardian angels, to blur the ensuing decade with splendid medical rating in annual physical check up. Will celebrating birthday three times in a year gather the same statistical impact? Yes, oddball, if you can dwell in the miseries of being tagged "old fart" way before your twilight time.

What bonanza is awaiting after swinging by the 60-year milestone? Theoretically, you're supposed to placidly thaw into an illness-free wrinkly prune, except for the usual biological pricks of the mummification process (arthritis, hardened arteries, senility). At this juncture, you have the option to ease the sheer awkwardness of your ascension to senior status by freezing up natal day observance and stabilizing your bewitching magneticism till you become nothing but a marble slab to whom kins will devote flowers during All Souls' Day. Why am I inflicting more emotional traumas to one of life's most crushing moments? Because come May 8, I'll be dipping my feet in the murky water of these critical numerical ranges. And I can't decide whether to recoil from the numbing reality of being minted into gold or let out a little yelp and roll with the punches of extinction, whether to bombard randomly like aimless molecules on speed or be still like a clam until awashed as calcium deposits. Come what may, I'll waltz out of my inner child and horse around with the endangered species; and sizzle gracefully in the next decade like a vintage wine. The worst scenario: I'll end up as an awful, acidic table vinegar instead of a full-bodied cabernet sauvignon. Come to think of it, I learned from an octagenarian that everything in his life blossomed for the best when he pumped the pedals on his 50th birthday shindig. Aha, there's the pleasant hope to salvage my crippled memory circuits and to buffer the disconcerting retouches of inching up to antique stratum. Anyone cares for a live exhibit of alligator skin and tub of fats?

Abbreviated historical dusts bottled from autobiographical entries: May 8, 1949 - born to soil and fertilize Universe Iligan; May 8, 1956 - born to unravel and scout for solutions to curious puzzles; May 8, 1965 - born to wave confidently the LCHS Alumni banner in Silliman U; May 8, 1973 - born to swing stethoscope and tap medical miracles; May 8, 1975 - born to be incarcerated in marriage "I doo" and roam as a gentle puppy; May 8, 1993 - born to twist and fracture my pack of backbones for kids' college bills; May 8, 1996 - born to adjust to migraines of the deadliest variety from a barrage of more school ransom notes and "coerced" aspiration to be an exemplary mature dog; May 8, 1999 - born to soak in hysterical denial as a golden boy but pledge to be a walking commercial for aspirin, hair dyes and vitamin E.

Behind closed doors of a speeded-up world, I rid my being of the impurities of youth. Perhaps, having been crowned a bonafide midlifer, I'm entitled to set sail in another sunset where, free as a bird, I recycle and replay through my mind the wonderfully charming fleeting moments of a blissful past. Perhaps, once planted in a crossroad of choices, the showers of confusion as to which course is least traveled are of relative merit, and each twinkle of good tiding or brush of bruising mile in the second half of my earthly term is nabbed as uplifting spiritual gift and test from the Power above.

By Leonardo "Eddie" Tan, Batch '66

I have to admit that I was very much intrigued by the article written by alumna Marie Janiefer Q. Lee entitled "Damned If You Do, Damned If You Don't." She wrote about a subject which others until now may consider so taboo to be discussed openly, such as in this newsletter which is read worldwide. I really admire her courage in writing about mixed marriages and racial prejudices.

Her subject matter reminded me of a movie in the 60's which starred Sidney Poitier, Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn, among others. It was entitled "Guess Who Is Coming To Dinner." And it was a very beautiful movie about black and white Americans. About Sidney Poitier, a black ready to marry the white daughter of Spencer Tracy. This was a time when segregation among whites and blacks still existed in the southern states of USA like Alabama. The problem did not only lie with Spencer Tracy, who was shocked about his daughter's black fiance but to Sidney's parents as well who just could not accept to have a white woman as their daughter-in-law. How I wish I could recall every magical word spoken by Spencer Tracy when he finally accepted the fate of his daughter. When he dismissed all their prejudices and yielded to the two young people who were truly in love with each other. And love was the most important thing in the world. That was the bottom line. As long as they love each other!

To Marie Janiefer Q. Lee, you deserve our congratulations!

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

"The road is long, with many a winding turn, that leads
us to who knows where, but I'm strong, strong enough
to carry Him. He ain't heavy, he's my brother."

Dodong ranks third in a brood of five children of Hua Lam and Pasing (of the Pasing's Grocery fame located then at #63 Washington St.). He started grade one in LCHS at the tender age of 5. A consistent honor student, Dodong used to love boxing, cock fights, FPJ movies, idolizing Neil Sedaka with his own version of "One Way Ticket" with matching guitar to everybody's amusement. True to his Chinese name (Tat Kwan), he was a healthy and prosperous kid. Among his favorite foods were humba with boiled egg, pork leg with beans, paklay, and maruya. His circle of friends included Alex Rodriguez, Alberto Bernardo, Artemio Lagrosas, Glicerio Uy, Charles Sy, Peter Dy, Mike Ong, Jesus Chan, among many others. I vividly remember him playing jolen, takyan, bato lata, kundisi, patintero, and other games of the era, while we, the younger ones, would just watch and observe them play in one corner, as we munched our fave sweetened chicharon sprinkled with behon, tira-tira, or bukayo bought from Naring's Store nearby.

He was under the tutelage of the legendary Pedro Campugan (Grade V) and Fidel Fuertes (Grade VI) with Amparo Villaruel as the school principal circa 1960s. He was a jolly teenager obsessed with guitar playing, forming a combo known as The Vultures. He was also fond of taping his voice, speaking like he was on cue as a pro radio announcer. Together with Alex Rodriguez and Alberto Bernardo, they formed the popular ALABER Brothers. I remember the trio as constant bystanders at St. Michael's College late afternoons during their heydays, joining the dedication program of DXIC's Night Jamboree hosted by Vivian Leigh Dilit, and later Lorna Fernandez of DXRI. I remember Dodong during their Junior-Senior Prom and when they marched for their high school graduation in 1965, the same year I graduated from Grade Six.

June of 1965 saw him as a First Year Pre-Med student at Silliman University. It was during his junior year when he became serious as Verna Yap's sweetheart. When he graduated from Pre-Med, that was the time I finished my high school. And when he proceeded to the Cebu Institute of Medicine for his Medicine Proper, I had my Pre-Med in Silliman. A matter of following the footsteps. He got his M.D. in 1973, underwent postgraduate internship at the Cebu Velez General Hospital, took and passed the ECFMG while still a PGI, then on to take and pass the Philippine Medical Board Exam.

On January 5, 1975, he and Verna got married one fine Saturday morning at the Capitol Parish in Cebu, with me as the best man and my sister Evelyn as the maid-of-honor among the bridal entourage. Reception was held at Max's Fried Chicken Restaurant located then along Jones Avenue. They stayed in Cebu for a while before they left for the USA in April 1975. From then on, the only forms of communication between us were either thru letters and long distance calls. His first balikbayan trip was in July 1986 - after a good eleven-year period of life in the USA. It was to be the first and last meeting he had with papa prior to our father's demise on Sept. 19, 1986. The second time he was here was in 1993, followed by the 3rd homecoming last December 1998 for their CIM Class '73 Silver Jubilee.

50 years is spelled F-I-F-T-Y years. But all these times, he has not really grown that old. He still carries those baby looks (and fats?), always the face the refreshes. Now showing: A father of three grown-up men, a practicing anesthesiologist. Next program: A husband and wife celebrating their Silver Wedding Anniversary come January 2000.

Amidst the distance, time, the many adventures and lessons in life, Dodong will always be my older brother - somebody who has a great influence on my life, one way or the other, trudging along the same profession, the same hobby of writing, delivering speeches and lectures, dishing out jokes and humor, an optimist, among other things.

Today, as Ernie or Dodong or Tat Kwan, celebrates his 50th birthday, I can only look back to our younger days with fond memories, and thank him for all the values he has inculcated in my then young life, and all of life's beautiful moments. I pray to Almighty God that he will be given more years to live, for him to be able to catch up with my own 50th birthday celebration come year 2002, and more beautiful and healthy years IN HIS TIME.

Happy 50th birthday, Mr. Golden Boy! You're not heavy at 145 lbs. You're my brother! And brothers we will always be.

Our country has been tagged "the next tiger economy in Asia." But until when are we going to be the "next"? What's hindering our growth? Is it corruption? Is it the lack of peace and order? Or is it our inherent diversity as a people?

We call ourselves Filipinos. Yet we do not even speak the same language. Sometimes this difference can be funny while at times it can be painful. A simple thing like "langgam" could mean two very different things. For us Cebuano-speaking people, it means a bird, a feathered vertebrate with a beak, two wings and two feet. But to a Tagalog-speaking person, it means an ant, a bug that crawls and bites.

I was in a car with my 5-year-old son one day when I spotted a very nice-looking mail box in front of a house in our neighborhood. It had a beautiful bird painted on it. So I told our Cebuano-speaking driver, "Butangan sad unta nimo ug langgam atong mail box." Before the driver could say anything I heard my son's voice from the back seat saying, "Mama, 'wag n'yo lagyan ng langgam ang mail box natin, baka hindi na dadaan ang postman, wala tayong letters." For a minute we couldn't figure out why, then he said the "langgam" might bite the postman, "masakit pa naman yon." We all laughed so hard except my son who didn't know why.

There are so many words that could be so innocent to one dialect yet very offensive to another. I'm sure you all can come up with one. Seeing how divided we are with the language we use, it's no wonder we would fall (off our chairs), either for laughing so hard or for crying in pain after being hit by an insulted kababayan. So be cautious, my friends!