My congrats to the new LCHS Alumni Association officers, and to Arturo Samson, on his presidency!  Since one of the thrusts of our new alumni officers is membership drive, it may be worthwhile to ponder on how this goal can be attained.  LCHS is now 60 years old.  A yearly average turnout of 25 graduates per year, in both English and Chinese classes, should produce approximately 1,500 alumni, plus another 1,500 non-graduate alumni (meaning those who quit or transferred elsewhere before graduation).   A population of 2,000 alumni should, therefore, be a safe figure to serve as our reference point.   Imagine if we can get all the estimated 2,000 alumni to register?  At P500 per head, that translates to P1,000,000.00 in the coffers!  Now, how do we reach out to these alumni here and abroad?  How many of them can we hope to bring in to the Association? A demographic survey, I think, should be in order.

To make it easier for the Association to draw more alumni to its fold, I suggest that a local bank account be established to which alumni may  remit their membership dues.  For overseas alumni, perhaps another US dollar account can be established for them to remit their dues.  More important than this is that a voluntary organization like an alumni association should make its existence felt by having  (a) a clear purpose of existence; (b) a well-defined fiscal budget; (c) an effective communication system among alumni; and, above all,  (d) individual initiative on the part of its constituents.

Our alumni association should consider itself fortunate that there is now the Spectrum that can serve as an effective system of communication among alumni here and abroad.  The Spectrum has already distinguished itself with a respectable presence on the Internet, one that is recognized globally and, to a certain degree, even envied by non-LCHS alumni.  This is the spirit of volunteerism at work.  It is this same kind of spirit, as demonstrated by the Spectrum staff, that is needed for our alumni association to succeed in its membership drive.   Our alumni officers should take the initiative to tap this potential medium to reach out to our alumni worldwide in its membership campaign and other projects as well.

Roderick L. Ngo (Batch '70), Cebu, Philippines
westside@mozcom.com

Dateline Buffalo By Ernesto L. Yu, M.D., Batch '65  Ernstyu49@aol.com

2:00 PM - Took a cold rinse after a "sweaty" mid-afternoon nap. Dream-dates with Vegas' pinups is better left unprinted.  These starlets - brace yourself - have brains as skimpy as their string outfits (liberate your fantasy to sample the vibration).
3:30 PM - Sixty dollars behind in card games. These jokers are definitely not guest-friendly. Bumped into a rowdy bunch of buddies with bishop-like mops, twitching in dysphoric laughters. Jack Daniel is really a potent mood enhancer, especially with a light twist of anti- depressants.
5:10 PM - Engaged in whispered chat with Marilyn Monroe's clone. A perfect ten from her blondish hair follicles to her colored toes.  Based on my expertise in surface anatomy, no question, she was an authentic Eve in every half inch. I mumbled a passing invitation for a game of strip poker. She flatly declined because she has no cards that very moment! Settled the chance encounter with unfathomable stares over gush of umbrella drinks and a transplantation of fertile memories for later access.
6:45 PM - Dinner buffet policy has been modified: cost is based on a dollar per pound of weight gain. What the heck, why would I dry up my wallet to munch on slices of turkey with a gang of the same feathers? Briefly picketed the eatery's perimeter but management refuses to badge after hearing about the unruly behavior of my appetite center.
7:15 PM - Polished off a quick salad in a bistro free of aristocratic tartness. Caught yawning with a chunk of leafy green hugging my tonsils by a former superior in med school. Traded pleasantries, professional updates and hemorrhoid-prostate secrets. Spared, for old time sake, a fistful of loose coins for compadre's dinner fund after being floored by the emotional whack of his gruelling duel with Uncle BJ.
8:00 PM to 12:18 AM - Finally palpated the moisturized hands and smooched the alligator cheeks of long-extinct classmates. Some must have channeled their lives the last twenty five years along Rip Van Winkle melodrama; their once fiery memory could hardly sizzle a smoke. Others might have been stranded in Planet Jupiter as their coats of android makeup throb when they wave hello. Gosh, I can't survive another dawn observing, in excruciating torture, the parade of bipedal sufferers of arthritis and the devastating exhibit of the aging process in the Geritol Generation. A few manage to model old-school grace and preserve a sweetness that readily gives a toothache, until I discover that such mummification techniques are downright derivatives of the reconstructive scalpel (Holy Moses, what the mighty dollar can do!). No wonder some forced smiles are as asymmetrical as the leaning tower of Pisa. By midnight, I licked recklessly tons of gratifying finger foods. Downed flutes of champagne, jugs of frosty cocktails and dry martini till I was so woozily out of focus and the major contrast between Rachel Welch and our female brigade was just their middle names.
1:00 AM - In pajama. Still in baffled state after being the sole awardee of "The Most Promising CIM Graduate" trophy. Inscribed on the companion plaque: A tribute to Ernesto L. Yu, M.D. for promising a million dollar to the medical school's library renovation project. Snacked on a bottle of aspirin after consulting family lawyer, in between gasp and hyperventilation, about the legality of alcohol stupor and outlandish verbal pledge. And sincerely hope to heaven that my guardian angels did relay my message "Lord, take me now."
 

Briefs from Down Under By Leonardo "Eddie" Tan, Batch '66 edtan@idx.com.au

The hottest topic in Australian politics today could be stated in just two little words: "FOR SALE". The present Australian Federal government is strongly pushing their agenda of selling or privatizing the very important public utilities and services such as TELSTRA - the government owned telephone and communication company. A third of Telstra was already floated late last year and the stocks were snapped up by its citizens who are still hungry for more.

The Prime Minister was asked why sell the rest of Telstra?  He said he wanted all the citizens to own it. But Telstra is already owned by the government, and who owns the Australian government?

The people in the rural areas are very much against the sale because they fear they will again be the victims of deteriorating services as they have already experienced in the sale of other public utilities and services owned previously by the government.  The rural Australia saw the closure of hundreds of branches of Commonwealth Bank of Australia (its version of our Philippine National Bank) after it was privatized. Rural people now have to travel a great distance just to transact their banking needs.

In just a few years, Australia has privatized its national airline, QANTAS, as well as other electricity companies. Australian postal service, the Australia Post, is also in the agenda to be deregulated. Will a few cents still be sufficient to pay for the stamp to post anywhere in Australia with efficient quick service?  Some prisoners are already inmates of privately-run penitentiaries.

The government argues that it is not in the business of running these businesses. But these are not any ordinary services. These are essential public services which we thought the government should provide in the first place.

Look at Philippine Air Lines.  When it was first conceived by the Philippine government, it was purely to provide the very essential air services needed to connect the traveling public from one island to another. We had a very reliable air service many years ago although the plane might be late sometimes. But after it was privatized, some destinations that were not profitable were just scrapped. Now many are left stranded because of some profit oriented private entrepreneurs.

People are complaining that privately-run corporations have only one motive and that is profit. While government-run companies have "service" as its paramount goal. Electricity now costs more in the state of Victoria and the repair crew's response to emergencies had been dismal.  The same thing could be said with its ambulance service. I just think that some essential public utilities should always remain in the government hands.

Once Telstra will be completely privatized, people fear phone bills will rise and timed calls will be introduced. Then that is bidding good-bye to our newly acquired habit of surfing the Net.  Which means I might just miss Mike and Diane losing their virginity live on the website early next month!

Sentimental Journey By Henry L. Yu, M.D., Batch '69 charlesy@durian.usc.edu.ph

King Theater was located very near our backyard, so much so that we could even hear the intermission music.  I remember our cook Leona Lantaka, who used to tell us how much she liked that particular song being played at King Theater every morning at 9:00 o'clock.  It was "Bayang Magiliw".  Poor Leona!  It was the National Anthem which was being played to start the opening of the theater.  King had another entrance near our backyard so much so that sometimes we could sneak in, passing through that way and went directly to the balcony without the tiketera noticing us.  But no so with the other three theaters as the watchers were quite strict.  Although we could get inside Century for free, courtesy of Mrs. Gaite (the grand matriarch, the mother of Martin and Maring).  The Gaites were our close family friends, the same people who would serve us soft drinks and snacks each time we went swimming at their rest house at Kanaway Beach.

I have fond memories of Premier in 1966 when I went to watch the Star Parade Show of the Sampaguita Stars '66.  It was a personal appearance matinee show featuring my favorites, among them: Bert Leroy-Gina Pareño; Edgar Salcedo-Juvy Cachola; Pepito Rodriguez-Rosemarie Sonora; Ramil Rodriguez-Shirley Moreno; Dindo Fernando-Loreta Marquez; and German Moreno in his younger and slimmer days.  They were billeted at the Al Toro Hotel.  And I got the chance to see them in person, with autograph in hand for their most valued signatures. All these courtesy of my Uncle Cresing who owned Vision Studio.  Just how proud I was the following day telling my classmates about my encounter with these stars, most especially with the pictures that my Uncle Cresing took shots of - me and the Sampaguita Stars '66.  Happily, mission accomplished!

With the passing of time and the distance that segregated me from my beloved hometown, I have no more idea as to what really happened to these four theaters of my youth.  All I have are the fond memories nurtured out of my childhood innocence which were spent in a place called home.  Hello, Iligan, this is your long lost son, calling you from Cebu ...

Dr. Do Little By Alex S. Rodriguez, M.D., Batch 1965 alpacino_8@hotmail.com

What are the types of asthma?
1. Extrinsic (Atopic) is caused by external agents such as dust, lint, insecticides, mold spores, or foods. Exposure to an allergen can cause an attack. It is common among children.
2. Intrinsic (Nonatopic) indicates that the specific causes cannot be identified. It may be precipitated by many situations such as common cold, upper respiratory infection or even exercise. This type usually begins at the age of 35 and develops into a lifelong condition, becoming worse and occurring more often.

Treatment:
I. Foremost is education.  One has to know his disease and listen to its symptoms and signs during or before it starts.  As I mentioned earlier, timing is very important in dealing with this disease. Then next is knowing your medications and how they act so you will know how to juggle your medications in case one doesn't work right away or when it stops working. Please don't do it alone.  Preferrably learn it alongside with your physician. Most patients don't go back to their physician for this condition anymore except during status asthmaticus attacks.

II. Medications:
1. Bronchodilators:
a)   Epinephrine
b)  Aminophylline
c)  Theophylline: asmalin, Theo-dur, etc.
d)  Beta 2 stimulants: terbutaline and others

For immediate relief use the spray or inhalants which are beta stimulants and if it doesn't work well, then you can take theophylline tablets. Maintain the theophylline tablets for 2-3 days if it works and discontinue the spray. Don't overtreat yourself. That is why you have to be working side by side with your physician who is also willing to sacrifice a few bucks and make your life easier.

2. Corticosteroids: Prednisone, hydrocortisone, etc.
This is usually used during severe attacks. I guess this is all I can share with you because the choice of the medications will depend on your physician thus the dosage and the effectivity are for you and your physician to determine.  Bon a petit!
 

EDITORIAL

At the outset, we would like to congratulate the new set of officers and board of directors of the LCHS Alumni Association for laudably rising to the occasion to take charge of the distribution of the Spectrum.

A year and three months have elapsed since our publication came out with its maiden issue on April 15, 1997.  Throughout this period, we in the staff slugged it out entirely on our own.  Not wanting to belabor other groups with any burden, we hacked our way through the labyrinth of cyberspace, despite limited resources, to deliver megabytes upon megabytes of good tidings to our alumni around the globe. Yet, even as we carried on, we silently remained hopeful that someday, somehow, this newsletter, on its own merit, would elicit the collective interest of our Alumni Association.

It is, therefore, with great pleasure that we welcome the decision of the Alumni Association to take upon itself the collective task of distributing the Spectrum to the majority of LCHS alumni who have no access to the Internet.  We have always believed that the Association, with its organization and logistics, is in the best position to undertake the circulation aspect of the Spectrum.

Hopefully, with the involvement of the LCHS-AA, we will be able to foster an even deeper sense of camaraderie among our fellow alumni.  It is our goal that thru this newsletter, a greater number of our LCHS family will be kept abreast of the whereabouts and accomplishments of fellow alumni everywhere.  On the part of our staff, we should now be able to focus on our editorial priorities of harnessing the delicate craft of writing to rekindle the memories of yesteryears and to chronicle the present and future events in our hometown of Iligan and our Alma Mater for the benefit of our alumni near and afar.

With the advances of the Internet, and with the Alumni Association now working hand in hand with us, we are optimistic that our dream of molding a more vibrant medium of interaction among LCHS alumni shall not be farfetched.

Mabuhay ang LCHS-AA!