INTERNET NEWSLETTER OF THE ALUMNI OF LANAO CHUNG HUA SCHOOL
Vol. II - No. 16, August 3, 1998, Iligan City, Philippines

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LCHS recently held a school-wide declamation and oratorical contest.  In the Declamation Contest, participated in by Primary and Intermediate students, the winners were: (Primary) Champ Gabriel Nanaman (child of Gebriel Nanaman), Grade 3, first place; Tristan Ervin Lim (child of Gil Lim), Grade 3, second; and Pao-Ju Chi (child of Po-Pon Chi), Grade 2, third.  (Intermediate) Roxanne Conol (daughter of Vic Conol), Grade 5, first place; Marah Michelle Alivio (daughter of Roland Alivio), Grade 4, second; and Dave Dingul (son of Paul Dingul), Grade 4, third.  In the Oration Contest, participated in by high school students, the winners were Christian Gil Portugaliza (son of Gil Portugaliza), 4th year, first place; Mikhail Tolentino (son of Ingemar Tolentino), 1st year, second; and Christine Samson (daughter of Guido Samson), 2nd year, third.

Alumni pair exchanges "I do's"

It was a festive occasion in Iligan City last July 24 as two LCHS alumni exchanged vows as bride and groom.  Janet Sy, daughter of Bian Bian Sy, and Joval "Jong Jong" Uy, son of Valentin Uy, got married to each other in fitting ceremonies and reception at the Village Inn compound, Pala-o.  The bride is connected with the Westmont Bank while the groom is with the Mindanao Development Bank.  Standing as their principal sponsors were Sy Chu An, Henry Lee, Nicanora Sy, and Nene Siao.

Batch '67 holds get-together bash
By Peter C. Dy (Batch '66)

Members of Batch '67 held a lively get-together party last July 26 for Marcy "Soon Soon" Sy, who is currently in Iligan City for a month-long vacation from Philadelphia, U.S.A..  Reminiscences of the good old days and updates on each other's current family life were the staple stuffs of conversation at the reunion hosted by Lalita Uy and Elisa Uy at their residence.  Members of Batch '67 present at the impromptu gathering were Jocelyn "Ang Kaw" Ang and Lalita Uy, who were fabulous as chief cooks of the party; Lilia Lua Sy, Teresita Racines, Elsa Lagrosas, Aida Chow-Ipili, Aldo Caracho, Rudy Co, and Dionesio Chiu.  Also joining the party were Marcy's batch mates in Chinese Class of  '66, namely Peter Dy, Betty Lim, Marciano "Marcing" Tan and Joe Booc.
 

E-MAILS

Funtime in Las Vegas
Sun, 19 Jul 1998 20:13:31 -0700

I got a kick out of Ernesto Yu's "Viva Las Vegas" article (Spectrum, July 20, 1998) as we have been through there lots of time.  It is about five hours driving time from where we live. We see a lot of advertisements on trips bound for Vegas. Sounds as though the author had quite a good time there and that is exactly the place to do that. Requires a little coin to go though, but if one has the funds it is quite exciting. All kinds of entertainment I guess beyond description. The other parts of the newsletter were interesting also. The layout of your Spectrum was very nice;   that requires quite a bit of time to put together I should think. You leave everyone with something to look forward to in the next edition as they were left with "more next issue." I should hope with the time and expertise you put forth to put it out,  the others who received it will be thirsting for the next issue.

Robert Charles Myers, retired seismic engineer, San Obispo, CA, U.S.A.
rmyers@silcom.com

I noticed that our man from Down Under, Leonardo Tan,  is getting to be a polished and seasoned writer.  He varies his writing style and subject matters. Now he is into serious but interesting matter.  His writings used to make me smile, laugh, or just lighten me up; now it is making me think. Wonderful!  I think the Spectrum is to be taken seriously by all web readers, specially by the LCHS alumni as its print organ. It is an exhibit of character of the school.

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

TRACERS

Making waves

Our "Tracers" this week deployed its paparazzi squad to stake out on fellow alumni who are making headway, or making waves, or simply in the limelight in different corners of the globe.  Dr. Arthur Dy (Batch '76), son of Dy Tiao Un, is now a much sought-after ENT specialist in Cebu.  Together with a few Cebu ENT specialists as partners, he recently established the Hearing Center & ENT Products, a distributor of Siemens hearing aids. Another alumni-physician very much in the limelight is Dr. Vivina Chu (Batch '61). A prominent figure in Cebu's medical profession, Vivina is also active with the Arts Council of Cebu, where she is one of the prime movers.  Two enterprising alumni from Initao are now making great strides in the educational supply trade.  Alfredo "Chio Toh" Uy, the math wizard of Batch '61, now runs Cebu's top educational supplies, the Visayan Educational Supply.  The other alumnus is Victor "Eng Bik" Sy (Batch '62), who is connected with the People's Educational Supply in Cebu.  But when it comes to household appliances, the name that comes up is Phek Giok Dy-So (Batch '60), elder sister of Dy Sio Te. Phek Giok is now one of Cebu's successful distributors of 3D and Mitsubishi appliances.  She and her husband also run a flourishing thread mill that produces the popular Medal Thread Balls.  Over in Mandaue City, aside from attending to his Seawalk Trading Corp., which deals in imported gadgets and construction materials, Bebencio "Bebe" Palang (Batch '57) can be spotted at the Cebu Country Club, where he tees off regularly after work. Two LCHS alumni fast making a name for themselves as doctors in Taiwan are Dr. Victor Tecson (Batch '71), of Lanao Arkay Radio & Electrical Supply, and Dr. Antonio Leo "Boy" Te (Batch '70).  Boy breezed into town last summer to witness his daughter Abegail's graduation as valedictorian of LCHS Class of 1998. And recently jetting off to the U.S.A. to pursue further studies in laser technology for eye treatment is Charito "Un-Hoy" Go's (Batch '61) daughter, Stephanie, now an ophthalmologist.  Prior to her departure, Stephanie was connected with the Associated Cebu Eye Specialists Laser and Surgicenter.

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

Tag it as a no-brainer mechanics of Domino effect: Privatization of some age-old governmental services (as scribbled by my Aussie sidekick, Loloy Tan) is not only a healthy trend but it also has a rippling wave of positive spins (efficiency, logic, growth), without the trademark bureaucracy. The worst scenario is, as in the U.S.A., a federal agency that tinkers on citizens' private affairs, like health care needs: It cloned monsters out of HMOs (Health Maintenance Organization). The ill-effects are sprouting like wild flowers, leaving acidic aftertaste on our reigning honchos who are scrambling for, you guess it, disturbing patch-up solutions. Yet, without a legislative body, historical chaos of the Lost Empires will definitely repeat itself.

Besides, Liberty is not only a brand of milk, it is also a precious gem in a democratic air.

Then again, we love you just the way you are.

Just once. He is still a politician!
 

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

I am glad that my article 2 weeks ago entitled "For Sale - Australian Services" received a response from one of our readers from New Jersey, U.S.A.

Yes, I fully agree that Pres. Reagan of U.S.A. and Prime Minister Thatcher of UK in the 80s started the trend of privatization in their respective country and could be very successful. However, each country is unique in its own way. The problem with Australia is that it is blessed with a great land mass as large as continental U.S.A., but only has a population equal to the state of New York or maybe even less.

Our problem here is too few people using the infrastructures that are designed for the entire nation. So public utilities do need government subsidies to be affordable. A good example will be a toll expressway. A stretch of 20 kms was opened by a private consortium just a year ago and it costs a car $2.50 (about US$1.75) one way, which is very expensive compared to U.S.A. That's because there are much fewer road users here. The ratio could be 10 to 1. That's why people in the rural areas here are very much against privatization. Thank you.

I never knew my adopted city's icon would be this popular. I pass by the famous structure almost everyday in my work. A building that was first designed in 1955 and inaugurated 18 years later.  A very controversial building during its construction that the Dutch architect Jorn Utzon who won the international design competition left as the executive architect when the project was still half finished and promised never to set foot again in Sydney. That was in the early 60's. And he made good that promise. In effect, Mr. Utzon has never seen his creation until now. After all these years and countless invitations from the officials and the people of Sydney for him to visit his masterpiece, Mr. Utzon, now a retired architect in his 80s, is residing in Majorca, Spain, said he is too old to fly or travel. Sydney's mayor a week ago went to visit him and presented him in Majorca a golden key to the City of Sydney.

The imposing edifice with its giant white sails houses a concert hall, a large theater for opera and ballet, a smaller theater for plays, a cinema and some other rehearsal studios. It has become undoubtedly the cultural center of Sydney and the most recognizable building associated with the city. It is built on a small peninsula right in the heart of a magnificent harbour just a stone's throw away from another landmark - Sydney Harbour Bridge. It is just like New York's Statue of Liberty, instead of Alcatraz, with famous San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge combined. But Sydney's harbour view is just breathtaking! Simply so beautiful! A building close to the Opera House is being constructed and is half finished and the people of Sydney are outraged that it will destroy some of the view that negotiation is now going on to tear down the unfinished building with $200 million involved.

It is hoped that by the eve of the incoming millennium, the beautiful sight will be more breathtaking with an hour of spectacular display of pyrotechnics.  Sorry I am too late. All the hotels nearby are already fully booked. As usual I will just watch it live on TV.
 

Mixed Bag from Bunn Hill By Aurora H. Tansiokhian, M.D., Batch '58 atanust65@pol.net

A long time  ago,  my precious older child gave me a poster that says "Assume Nothing."  I liked it very much (still do) and taped it to a wall where I could see it.  I even made copies  to put in my office.

 I "assumed" that it was a reminder concerning my professional life and my dealings with other people.  I had been too trusting and had been fooled many times.

Only a few weeks ago, while looking at the poster, it suddenly occurred to me that there is much about my daughter that I had assumed. Had I been so intimidating that she would not  tell me directly?  Yes, I believe I was.  That poster may have been a hint that did not register. It must have been tough being my daughter.

I was very dense but I was who I was.  That was my best.  No apologies.

She is not a child anymore. She has become a delightful young professional with her very own engaging personality.  I am very proud of her and always look forward to seeing her.  I have been very lucky.  It could have been very different.

I learned to look closer home before looking out.

The poet Robert Frost wrote "The greatest thing in family life is to take a hint when a hint is intended, and not to take a hint when a hint is not intended."

Was it  or was it not?   I have not asked her.  Her answer is not important.  What matters is my awakening.

It is not too late.

Till next time.

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

So, after passing the medical board exam, at last, I had the license to treat. I went into residency training, and then the experiences of going into private practice followed.

Today, after four decades, I have become the doctor that I have always wanted to be. That little boy in khaki short pants and white polo shirt uniform who used to recite poems, doing the bek-diam and bek-shia, si-si-diam-diam, so to speak. That high schooler who used to be editor of the Campus Keeper, who got 76 in Applied Arithmetic, who loved Biology under Miss Alcover. That class president in grade school and high school who used to meet with the faculty staff, very vocal and active with the numerous school activities. All these were stepping stones, an opportunity for learning and growing, a very solid foundation that has made me what I am today.

Looking back, I thank our Alma Mater so much for the bek-diam and bek-shia, even if it was si-si-diam-diam, because such was a very good training ground for one who aspires to be a doctor, the medical course being loaded with a lot of memory works in terminologies and jargons. All the training I got from LCHS definitely sharpened my memory. So, to all my former teachers, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.  You have indeed molded me into becoming the doctor that I have always wanted to be.  And to our school physician, wherever you may be now, here's my sincere thanks for paving the way for me to become like you.

Remember the autograph that we signed? Ambition: "To be a doctor". And among our 1969 batch, there are four of us: Dr. Alice Ngo-Militante; Dr. Antonio Leo Te, myself, and the late Dr. Leopoldo Tan. Hopefully, our siblings will perpetuate the things that we underwent and achieved, or even more.  And hopefully, too, they will continue to support the LCHS SPECTRUM even when we may no longer be around in the years ahead of the next millennium.
 

Dr. Do Little By Alex S. Rodriguez, M.D., Batch '65 alpacino_8@hotmail.com

3.  Avoiding body hygiene during last trimester in pregnancy.
This is really a myth.  This misconception is common in rural practice. I have my first hand experience when I did my rural internship in the early '70s. You can imagine how uncomfortable it is for a doctor or midwife to deliver a baby through that hygienically deprived perineum and in the wee hours of the night. You will probably be discouraged in pursuing to be an obstetrician.  A pregnant woman should be vigilant enough to practice hygiene regardless of the age of pregnancy and that's that. Can you imagine yourself being in the rural area where I was assigned, where people are so courteous that after delivery at 3 a.m., they will offer you tepid soda and, if you drink, Añejo or Tanduay without ice? Try it and you will understand how one will sweat at dawn.

4.  Kidney stones versus banana extract.
It works but on certain type of kidney stone like uric acid since banana extract is alkaline, thus it dissolves this type of kidney stone but not to the other type.

5.  Epigastric discomfort or hapdos sa ginhawa-an.
Usually this type of discomfort is easily dismissed by most people or even doctors, who have not been trained on heart disease, as peptic ulcer.  One has to be careful especially with the type, location, radiation and associated symptoms of the pain or discomfort and more so with aging individual because you might be dealing with a heart attack. Take note that peptic ulcer is usually a gnawing pain or hapdos which may or may not be associated with food intake. Heart attack, on the other hand, is usually manifested in squeezing, annoying or heaviness on the chest or epigastric or baba sa atay area. Heart attack, if mild, usually improves with rest, oxygen or nitroglycerine or combination of such treatments.  Heart attack might even manifest itself as toothache or choking neck sensation. Always when you find yourself in this dilemma, consult a cardiologist first, and the gastroenterologist second.  Why?  Because heart attack is almost always an emergency situation and the earlier it is treated, the sooner you can go home. (Continued next issue)