Internet Newsletter of the Alumni of Lanao Chung Hua School Vol. 3, No. 12, August 23, 1999, Iligan City, Philippines ANOTHER FEATHER ON HIS CAP Dy receives Boy Scouts top award Henry C. Dy (Batch '64) was conferred the "Gold Achiever Award" at the 43rd Annual National Council Meeting of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines held at Subic Freeport recently. He was awarded for his meritorious and excellent performance in the 1998 membership campaign. The award was also in recognition of his being the recipient of the "National Higher Awards," the "Bronze USA," and his reelection to the BSP National Executive Board together with Federico Pascual, GSIS chairman; and Salvador Pangilinan, Makati councilor. Henry Dy exemplifies the sterling firmament of the scouting movement and the kind-heartedness of a citizen that our youth can emulate. LCHS joins debate group Several LCHS students were elected to key positions in the newly organized Iligan Debating Society. The group is composed of students from different schools in Iligan in both high school and college levels. Among those elected were Sheila Vy, asst. secretary; Jerumae Lee, treasurer; Mikhail Tolentino, auditor; and Jane Dale Racines, representative. Rodolfo Yu (Batch '69) is a member of the Society's board of consultants.

EDITORIAL STAFF Charles O. Sy, Editor Henry L. Yu, Associate Editor Correspondents: Iligan - Johnny Chen, Alfred Lai II, 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 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 49 WEEKS to Grand Homecoming

Two LCHS students have been tapped as news correspondents for Southern Cable Vision Community Channel (SCVInc.), a cable TV news station in Iligan City. Jane Dale Racines (3rd year) and Cheerine Dy (2nd year) will cover LCHS for the station's Campus Beat which features news and events in different schools in Iligan. The program had its initial telecast last Aug. 7.  Jane Dale Racines is the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Julius Racines. She was a member of the LCHS debating team that competed in the debate among Iligan schools last year.  Cheerine Dy is the daughter of Ben Hur and Ellen Dy. She was a fourth placer in the Division level of the Math Olympiad last year.

Free cleft-lip operation in Iligan
By Alfred Lai II (Batch '89)

A smile can launch a thousand ship. This was the essence of "Operation: Smile for the Lord" held last August 5-7 at the Gregorio T. Lluch Memorial Hospital, Iligan, under the auspices of the Couples for Christ Medical Mission Ministry and the City of Iligan. Five doctors from the University Of Santo Tomas took part in performing free operations on toddlers with cleft lip or cleft palate from Iligan, Kolambugan and Maigo.  Free medications were also provided. Volunteer nurses, midwives and PTs from "Singles for Christ" were also on hand to assist the doctors. It was a precious experience sharing one's talent and blessings with the less fortunate. It is hoped that more people will find peace and fulfillment in giving oneself without any monetary compensation. All it takes is a simple smile.

Chalico instead of uniform?
Mon, 16 Aug 1999 02:46:31 -0700

It seems to me that our alumni are divided on the issue of wearing old school uniform in the forthcoming grand homecoming. This being the case, why not make quality t-shirts and chalico with our LCHS logo and the words "LCHS Grand Alumni Reunion 2000" printed on them? We can sell them for all alumni to wear at the reunion instead of the school uniform. This will also add revenues for the reunion committee. The t-shirt may be worn during game times, while the chalico may be worn in formal affairs.

Antonio Leo Te, M.D. (Batch '69), Tai-nan, Taiwan
tonite@ms1.timenet.net

By Roger T. Suminguit, Batch '73

A chat with Pedro Campugan

It always comes as good news when one is able to hear from old school mates and teachers of long ago. More so when we get to see them in person. This happened last July 26 afternoon when we visited Pedro Campugan in his home at Purok , Barangay Hinaplanon, Iligan. The long years that elapsed since we were in Grade V at LCHS are now evident in his white hair. Yet at 72 years old, his memories of his former students are still fresh. He named a lot of his former students. He still remembers Gregorio Dy, Jesus Dy, Raymundo Chio, Peter Co, Francisco Co, Alex Samson, Eddie Co and Johnny Co in their Grade V years. He sometimes faltered in recalling his other pupils like Charles Sy, Igdono Caracho, and Roderick Ngo. Henry Lagrosas, who was with me in our visit, reminded Mr. Campugan about the time they met in 1992 at the fiesta celebration in Dalipuga where Mr. Campugan was then the district supervisor. Mr. Campugan was merrily drinking with friends. He then proceeded to share with us his reminiscences of his precious moments when those younger days were full of excitement and fun. He could not imagine that we, his former LCHS students, would still seek him out for a chat.  We extended to him our invitation to the forthcoming grand homecoming. Henry and I then took some pictures of the visit for the Spectrum. (See accompanying photo showing Mr. Campugan [at left] being interviewed by this writer.)

Pedro C. Campugan, born on April 29, 1927, taught at LCHS from 1954 to 1963. Now a retiree, his last position held was as district supervisor of the Dept. of Education & Culture in Dalipuga.  His children are Peterson Campugan (deceased), a schoolmate of mine at St. Peter's College; Pepito Campugan; Famela C. Tapi-on; and Patrict Campugan. As we parted, Mr. Campugan left us this message for our alumni: "Extending my warmest greetings to all my former LCHS students. Thank you for the moments that you all shared with me during my time in LCHS. I'm looking forward to the success of the grand reunion and hoping to see you all."

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 1988:  Victor Acedo; Evangeline Booc; Cristine Co; Victor Delorino; Liezl Largo; Carolyn Lee; Oliver Ngo; Mary Ann Pua; Jane Rocel Sasarita; Edgar Allan Soy; Evangeline Sy; Shiela Kathryn Sy; and Junnie Moon Uy.

BATCH 1989:  Jocylyn Acedo; Fernando Apao III; Brendon Bernard Bernardo; Carlo Bodiongan; Lizalie Booc; Terence Chua; Enrique Cruz; Roberto Dy Jr.; Marlybeth Kho; Alfred Lai II; Henrietta Lee; Jason Robert Lim; Ann Dee Po; Jocelyn So; Mary Jane Tan; Franklin Tan; and Gay Marie Tiu.

BATCH 1990:  Catherine Andaquig; Romeo Jay Babtido; Sheena Bernardo; Evelyn Booc; Cristina Dy-Carlos; Aileen Dy Pico; Lucia Lacasan; Harold Ian Paciente; Clair Ann Salud; Wenefredo Sawit; Rudeliza Soy; Christopher Tan; Ramil Tan; and Maximillian Te.  (To be continued)

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

With no chance for me to breathe life to our fiber-optic chat once I trek the cobblestones and cruise the Danube River Valley in Budapest, Hungary, the only viable option I have to preserve the integrity of our mental bridge is this syllables-littered postcard. Basically, the concept is as moldy but golden as James Last's ancient grooves: I view in the crystal ball scenes of my Buffalo paradise and transcribe the dramas into visual prints.

The boys are all smiles in their solo flights in Boston. Has to be: we left them the almighty green bucks that they bargained for in order to hush the apartment manager's monthly harassing calls. I know they really need to sweat it out on their own in the open market to taste the purity of success. Yet, without us remitting the rent payments and food vouchers, they'll surely end up side by side with hordes of homeless wanderers in the park. Besides, they grew up taking morning shower to spark the day and three real, hot meals by bedtime; not praying for a splash of rain or just visualizing their daily nutrients. Moreover, before they refine the habit of jotting down their "S" as "$", Verna and I unanimously voted that they should never exercise the liberty to murder a $uper consonant in the alphabets, lest their eyes pulsate like my pair!

Our flower garden persists in its explosion of colors and perfume. Our trusted neighbor is true to his pledge: assassinate any roving, vegetarian rabbits in the vicinity during feeding hours and guarantee moist beds for our thriving plants. In exchange for this humanitarian gesture, we'll pack him a leggy European model with melodic accent ("Gracious prince, should I tie your shoelace now?"). He'll settle for a snapshot (thank goodness) if we find Lady Heidi's extremities too long for the luggage or if her verbal decibels are too thunderous to the ears ("Move for once, lazy bullfrog!").

Our salt water fishes chow on pre-submerged foodstuffs without the catchy "Come Together" anthem of Paul McCartney and his gang as background jingle. Your Jose Mari Chan's "squeaky attempts" would have been perfect substitute to the Beatles' upbeat twist and shout. But, our aquarium boarders are in need of noise-rock to eat, not a tranquilizing Claudia Longet who can excite the gods to whip a severe thunderstorm that disables electric power! Nonetheless, I'd be a willing player to bundle your hum if it means bottling airtight and lasting the idle talks and sweet nothing that we have been bouncing in cyberspace. Your vocal is a potent sleep-inducer? No harm done, Yellow Tang, because at the present drift of things it is only via stretched reverie that I'll be able to march my wit into your computer screen. Time to paste firm faith on ESP networks?

Hopefully, this article translates into a good two weeks worth of electronic whispers. I understand that nothing surpasses the real thing. In the same token, there are countless seasons in life that we have to make do with just the second best. At any rate, I don't expect you to bomb my vacationing mailbox with missiles of sunshine and giggly sorts of "he,he,he": It might get too smoky and smiley hot when I surf the wild, wild web come August 28.

Then again, what class of jelly-kneed Neanderthals won't be gasping when welcomed with a bunch of flowers-letters that grind gloomy days to a pulp and cheer numbed muscles to twitch again? Try me.

(Editor's Note: Ernie Yu and wife Verna are currently on a holiday swing across Eastern Europe. They will be back in Buffalo, NY, on Aug. 28. Arivederci!)

By Leonardo "Eddie" Tan, Batch '66

These are just a few collections of my true-to-life experiences that may well qualify under the category of "What A Small World!".

It was a Sunday afternoon when I received a surprise call from Henry Ang exactly four years ago this month. He just arrived in Sydney that day with his wife Rita. They were on their Australian and New Zealand tour. I was of course very happy to have some friends from back home visit our beautiful city. We agreed to meet that evening at the lounge room of their hotel, which was about an hour's travel from my house. It was raining but I was in high spirit as it is always a happy occasion to be reunited with friends in this faraway land. While my wife and Rita reminisced about life in Iligan in one corner, I was with Henry trying to plan a side trip to the United Grand Lodge of New South Wales, which he wanted to visit the following day. I volunteered to be his special guide for that purpose. It became imperative that I should coordinate with their tour guide so that I would know their itinerary for that day in order to fetch my fraternal brother and return him to the tour group later on. So I went up to the hotel room of the tour guide accompanied by Henry Ang. We were met at the door by a middle aged balding man who gave me a curious look and muttered to himself in Chinese: "Looks like him, but maybe not." After a few minutes of discussion about the itinerary for the following day's tour, we were about to leave the room when he suddenly asked me if I had studied in Chiang Kai Shek College. I said yes. Then he told me my Chinese name. It turned out that he was my classmate a good thirty years ago! What a small world!

Last year around this time, I arrived at Orlando Airport in Florida. My brother-in-law Al was getting the mini-van from Dollar Rental Car and I was just watching the procedure and there was a little drama that was unfolding concerning the direction to our hotel. Suddenly a Filipino staff of the rental car came to our rescue and offered more assistance. I stood on the sideline as it was Al's role to play the navigator while I would do the driving. So as we said our good byes and thanked Joe for helping us, I asked him in passing where he was from while I mentioned that I came from Iligan. We were both surprised when he revealed that he had lived in Iligan for 4 years and he was one of the first graduates of La Salle Academy. He was with the combo, The Ramblers! It was Al who exclaimed: "What a small world!"

It was in the middle of November last year, when after our USA trip I kept in touch with my cousin-in-law Josephine in Virginia through the Internet. I noticed that in the jokes she sent to me, one of the email recipients was a certain Jimmy Tan. My curiosity was not aroused as there must be thousands with the same name. After a few messages later, Josephine mentioned that her family was going to New York soon and would visit their cousin who resides in New Jersey. And that made me very curious as I know a cousin of mine is married to someone with the same name and resides in the same place. I could not sleep that night; I had to find out from Josephine. After a few exchange of messages, I was relieved to realize that my cousin Fanny Lim has indeed become also a cousin-in-law of Josephine! It just gave me another meaning that the Internet has indeed made our world smaller.

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

1958 was the year I first stepped into the portals of Lanao Chinese High School as a kindergarten pupil under the tutelage of Mrs. Tan Lian Hon (or Hao Tio Neow, meaning the wife of the principal). I remember the many Chinese songs she taught us, as well as the field trips that introduced us to some scenic spots in Iligan, the different animals, flowers, and trees, which we were made to identify with Hao Tio Neow pointing to a particular thing and with us answering in unison, "New si goo," "Mah si bae," "Hua si huoy," etc.  We all rode in that yellow orange LCHS school bus driven by our legendary school driver (Medes) shouting "Hao chia lai lo!" as we saw the school bus approaching. We were told to "pai toy" and one by one we sat beside our classmates in alphabetical order, sharing stories, toys, and snacks. Then on Mar. 14, 1959 (Saturday), I remember us wearing the white toga during our kindergarten graduation with us singing a Chinese choral song on stage with the blue curtain as backdrop in the vast auditorium.

June 8, 1959 (Monday) was the first day of classes for school year 1959-60. I was in grade I under Miss Tagaro who taught us our abakada, Pepe & Pilar, "I Have Two hands," "Jack & Jill," "Ten Little Indians," and other nursery rhymes.  It was our starting point as LCHS students from then on till we eventually graduated from primary (1963), then from elementary (1965), and high school (1969).  Of course, there were those students ahead of us just as there were those after us. And who are these older students that I remember most? Let's rewind the years...

I remember Augusto "Cho Kok" Sy who used to stand in front during flag ceremonies, leading the Lupang Hinirang, or Florcita Tiu Huan reciting the Panatang Makabayan. There were two pairs of students (Bonifacio Te - Nelson Sy and Peter Co - Henry Dy) in charge of raising  the Philippine and Chinese flags, respectively. This daily chore was assigned to other students as well on rotation basis.

I also remember the LCHS majorettes like Aida Lim, Vivina Chiu, Elizabeth Co, Bonifacia Co, Sio Te Dy, Felicitas Ly, etc., who led the parade during our city fiesta, the flag bearers, the drum and bugle corps, and all of us students in school uniforms marching along key streets of Iligan under the morning sun.

I do remember the many extracurricular activities like Linggo ng Wika, Chinese Night during the fiesta celebration at the Iligan City High School gymnasium where the National Science Development Board Fair and Exhibits were also held, the Spelling Bee Contest, the Literary Musical Contest, the Christmas Decoration Contest, the Sports Tournament, and many others of which we were active participants once upon a time in our younger days. (To be continued)

By Marie Janiefer Q. Lee, Batch '87

When Dr. Aurora Tansiokhian mentioned in her last article that "if I can just turn back the hands of time," a big lump formed somewhere in my throat. I couldn't stop my tears because I felt the same way, even if last Sunday, August 15, was my father's 14th death anniversary. There are still so many things I would have loved to tell him and so many things I would have done for him.

When my father died I was only 15.  Back then I never thought that people could die at 52.  I always thought that somehow he would be able to recover from his ailment. I was not able to even say a simple "thank you" or "I love you" or "sorry for the times I disobeyed." Now all my life I keep thinking "if I had only known" and nag myself at times for not saying those simple words then when it meant the most.

For those who had their fathers longer than I did, consider yourselves luckier. When I graduated from high school my father was not there to listen to my valedictory address. When I graduated from college he was not there to pose for a picture with me. When I got married he was not there to walk me down the aisle. When I gave birth to my son he was not there to carry his first grandchild.

So for those who still have both parents, consider yourselves very lucky.  Show them now how much you appreciate them. Do not wait for Father's Day or Mother's Day or Christmas because nobody can be sure that they will still be with you when that day comes.

This is a rejoinder to Dr. Aurora Tansiokhian's article on death (Spectrum, Aug. 9, 1999 issue).  It was well written and I really like it. It reminded me of my own experience.

Cousin John John was barely 5 years old when he died.  I cried openly.  I was in denial and was asking why would God take an innocent child. Fifteen years have passed. Yet I still hear his sweet voice and his giggles. My aunt Susan Ong passed away in 1995. She was a great aunt. She wrote in one of my autographs when I was a kid that she was looking forward to the time when I would grow up to become a professional. It was an inspiration for me. She taught me the meaning of education, hard work and persistence. She was a good listener too. After she died, I was still hoping that somehow the phone would ring; that she was just somewhere in the Caribbean enjoying the sun. Or maybe she was just busy with the family business. But eventually reality sets in. She is actually gone. I miss them both terribly.

The loss of a loved one is a painful event. It leaves an indelible scar in our heart. It confronts us with our being, our attitude towards death, and the truth of our own mortality. The fear of the unknown is also a pertinent factor but with hope and faith I know that someday, somewhere I will talk to them. Again.

"Wave by wave / Inch by inch / Moment by moment / The tide shall claim me with the setting sun / blinding my senses / I  too shall wash away / one day with all my defenses / into the sea and merge as one." -- Sandra Bess.

We live in a dynamic society. The statistics of our growing population with dependency or addiction to drugs, smoking, alcohol, sex, abuse, gambling continue to rise tremendously. How about dependency on God?

How often have you actually surrendered completely to God and let Him take care of you and your needs? You might doubt His existence because you don't see Him with your naked eye, or hear His voice in your ears like when you lit and put a cigarette in your mouth, or open cans of beers or a bottle of whisky and drink yourself out. But Jesus is real. He lives in your heart. He hears and listens to your cry. He speaks to you in your heart and mind, especially in your trials and tribulations. He is there for you, patiently waiting for you to call His name: "Jesus, please help me." Pray from your heart, in your own words. Surrender yourself before the Lord. He is merciful and divine. When you pray, do not dictate to Him what to do and how to do it or when to do it - be open to His ways, let it be done in His time. Persevere in your prayers, but be patient. Always remember you're only human and you make mistakes. Ask for forgiveness and learn from your mistakes - try not to let history keep repeating itself.

Life is no fairy tale. Life is complex. You need to have a faith that is strong to survive and be happy. I also have my share of  life's ups and downs. Some were devastating but I'm still here and have never resorted to any type of addiction to resolve my problems. The secret?  Faith in Jesus Christ. Pray everyday, rain or shine. I do things that will make me happy and feel fulfilled - giving the best nursing care, trying to be a good mom, taking care of myself (healthy diet, exercise and thanks to those facial creams!), do things for myself like shopping, dining out, see a movie, and vacationing at least once a year (this year we went to Disney World in Orlando, Florida), etc., just to break the daily work-home-family-sleep routine. It's like adding more colors to your painting. It relieves stress and recharges your energy! Try it!  God bless everyone!

Have you ever noticed that we have in our midst a different breed of driver?  Yes … the Pinoy jeepney driver.  He is a driver, a mathematician, a conductor and many more rolled into one. While he is driving, he is at the same time on constant lookout for passengers waiting for a ride along the streets; suddenly a passenger hands him his fare, then the driver asks where he took his ride from and where is he going. When the passenger answers, he mentally calculates the fare. He then asks how many passengers is intended for the fare, then again calculates the total amount due. Sometimes while calculating, another passenger might motion for him to stop, since it's already his stop. And would you believe, there are other drivers who maneuver in the traffic with just one hand, because the other hand might be holding a stick of cigarette.

Many would call these drivers "maniacs" because of the way they drive. Yet we still dare to put our lives in their hands many times over.  I remember when I was in college, I was living with relatives in Guadalupe and I would take two rides to my school in Talamban.  Every time we would go to school, my cousins and I had our preferred drivers. We would choose the fastest, a relatively new jeepney and of course with loud music.  During those times we would be very thrilled with those kinds of maniacal drivers, who would sometimes get a scolding from the "older" passengers on board.

But today things have taken a 180 degrees turn.  I now hate loud music as much as I hate those young maniacal drivers. I ask myself why are there still drivers like these around. Then  I realized that the drivers have not changed after all.  It's my preferences that have. Maybe I am now a member of the "young once," and there are the young ones who still get the same kind of high that I had before with the kind of drivers in our midst.