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Fire Hits Iligan Residential Area
By Igdono Caracho with reports from Fred Lai and Santi Ong

A three-hour fire razed almost an entire block of Iligan City's residential area last July 16, destroying an estimated P5 million worth of properties and leaving some 70 families homeless.

The fire, reportedly caused by an LPG tank explosion in an eatery, destroyed some 23 houses and apartment units located along the corner of Zamora and Juan Luna streets. The fire started at about 9:00 a.m. and, fanned by strong winds, quickly spread to adjacent buildings.

Among the establishments destroyed were the Cebuana Eatery, Pallaber Optical Clinic, Dr. Battung's apartment units, Manuel "Akie" Tan's apartment, and Kagawad Cabili's residence. A concrete fire wall prevented the fire from reaching the building that houses Robert Co's Cromwell Hardware and Edwin Co's CPK Mercantile.

The fire was put under control at about 12 o'clock noon.

Iligan Fire Destroys Alumni's Homes
By Peter Dy and Terry Racines

The fire that struck Iligan's residential area on Zamora and Juan Luna streets last July 16 also left a few LCHS alumni homeless.

Among the houses destroyed were those belonging to Manuel "Akie" Tan, Dr. Dennis Jo, Remedios Lim, and Michael "Bah-Kiah" Dy. Partially damaged were the building housing Guido Samson's Iligan Educational Supply, and Robert Co's residence along the Baslayan Creek (formerly occupied by Dr. Wilson Lim's family).

The fire also has its shining moment as it brought many LCHS alumni together to lend a helping hand. Among those who rushed to the scene to assist affected alumni were Suniel Lim, Jackie Wong, Willy Wong, Mike Lee (who just recently arrived home from Canada), Hua Hoy Tan, Peter Dy, and several others.

Alumni Home Page now on the Internet

LCHS alumni now has a home in cyberspace! A web page has just been launched this week on the World Wide Web for alumni of LCHS. Designed and administered by Charles Sy and Johnny Chen, the home page is posted on the web site of Weblink-Iliganet and can be viewed on this URL: http://www.iligan.com/~lchs/alumni/

The web page, called "Chung Hua Territory", contains a list of 1997 alumni officers; hyperlinks and subscription to the LCHS Spectrum; e-mail access to the alumni association; batch listing of LCHS alumni; and a photo of the facade of the LCHS main building.

VIPs at Turnover of School Building to Barangay Santiago

Top Iligan City officials and other dignitaries attended the turnover of a school building by the Dy Un Suy family to Barangay Santiago, Iligan City, last July 5.

The school building was turned over to the Cabili Village Elementary School. On hand at the unveiling of marker and ribbon-cutting ceremonies were Mr. Dy Un Suy who was assisted by Councilor Henry Dy; Mayor Alejo Yanez; Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) Vice President Henry Sy and Jovino Chua Ngo; FFCCCII Regional Director Sy Chu An; Lanao Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Inc. (LFCCCI) President Chris Chua Tek An; DECS Superintendent Dr. Tamano Pandapatan; Barangay Santiago Captain Lolita Carolipio; and members of Dy Un Suy family.

A second school building is scheduled for donation to Barangay Tambacan next month. These donations are made by Councilor Henry Dy in honor of his parents, Mr. Dy Un Suy and the late Mrs. Co Siu Kim, under the "Operation Barrio School" project of the FFCCCII and the LFCCCI.

Our query in last issue's "Tracers" elicited the following inputs from a loyal alumnus in Cagayan de Oro:

Alumni Whereabouts
By Rene Tio (Batch '70)

Lilia Lua (Batch 1967) is now Mrs. Lilia Lua-Sy, married to businessman and community leader Sy Chu An. Lolita Lua (Batch 1967) is married to an American; now living in the U.S.A.

Lucio Choa Tan, consistent class valedictorian of Batch 1967, is now a successful exporter of charcoal and charcoal by-products, with factories based in Initao. He now lives with his family in a new house complete with swimming pool at the Golden Village, Carmen Hills, Cagayan de Oro City. It is the most beautiful house in the Village for which the architect has become renowned among the local Chinese community.

Another alumna residing in Cagayan de Oro is Virna "Kuan-Kuan" Sy (Batch 1962), a student leader in her school days. She is married to Dr. Francisco Oh, who is the elder brother of Felipe Oh, Chinese teacher and disciplinarian of LCHS in the 60s.

Fellow alumnus Giovanni Co, eldest son of Mr. & Mrs. Co Chik Khing, is also here in Cagayan de Oro with his own business enterprise.

The Year of the Campus Keeper

1968 was the year the Campus Keeper (official newsletter of LCHS students) was born with myself and Emelita Lee as editors. The newsletter was published in mimeographed form, unlike the LCHS Spectrum today which utilizes the modern technology of desktop publishing for its production and the Internet for its circulation. Among the staff of the Campus Keeper were Vy Beng Hong, artist; and Delia Dy, Roderick Ngo, Alex Handumon, and Antonio Leo Te, columnists.

March 16, 1968 (Saturday) - It was an unforgettable grand affair as far as the Third Year and Fourth Year students were concerned. It was an event all of us must have looked forward to with so much excitement. Yes, the Junior-Senior Prom! The ladies (yes, the baby is now a lady!) were in pink miniskirts for the juniors, and blue for the seniors with matching fishnet stockings, while the gentlemen wore white shortsleeved shirt with necktie and black pants. Very significant were the Candle and Lei Ceremonies. Fourth Year class president was Emelita Lee while yours truly was class president of the Third Year class. Oh, how we danced to the tune of "Bus Stop". Yes, "soul" and "grind" were the dance crazes in that era.

It was also the period of pop music at its peak. Reigning supreme in music charts were the music of great bands like the Ventures, the Shadows, the Beatles, the Dave Clark 5, Herman's Hermits, the Cascades, the Bee Gees, etc. Among the popular Philippine bands (then known as combos) were the Electromaniacs of Jose Mari Gonzales, the Hi-Jacks of Eddie Mesa, the Tilt Down Men of Tito Sotto, and the Riots of Ramon Jacinto.

My 16th birthday (what a birthday gift!) was the saddest in my 45 summers so far. Why? Because it was at this time when I was summoned and reprimanded by our school principal (Haw Tio) regarding my critical editorial in the Campus Keeper. It created a controversy which resulted in my voluntary transfer to another school (Holy Cross High School in Dumaguete City). I really never thought that it would be my last year in LCHS. All the while, I thought I would graduate along with the rest of those who were left in LCHS for their 4th year. Anyway, some of my classmates have also transferred to Cebu for their Chinese course which subsequently left just a handful of them at LCHS 4th year class circa 1968-69.

So, there you are, my dear schoolmates, classmates, teachers, nephews, nieces, sons, daughters, etc. This was how we lived in those times. Our songs, our dances, our foods, our recreations, our games, our lifestyles. The Dragon Year of 1952... Iligan City...Lanao Chinese High School...1968...These are unforgettable for as long as I live. And to all those who have made a mark in my life, thank you for the memories! (Next issue: Iligan Revisited--Circa 1997)

Alumni Directory on the Net

The LCHS alumni home page, now posted on the World Wide Web, includes a directory of alumni listed according to batch-year. The list-up is on its initial stage and is continually being updated. Fellow alumni are encouraged to help us complete the directory by supplying us with the names of their batch members. All inputs may be addressed by e-mail to: charlesy@durian.usc.edu.ph or johnchen@iligan.com.

Chinese Q & A

Q. What do Chinese gamblers have for lunch?
A. Fried dice.

Q. What do you call a Chinese voyeur?
A. Peking Tom.

Definitions

Aloof--what you see on top of a Chinese house.
Bloom--sound of a Chinese cannon.