INTERNET NEWSLETTER OF THE ALUMNI OF LANAO CHUNG HUA SCHOOL
Vol. II - No. 19, August 24, 1998, Iligan City, Philippines
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The economic crisis has severely affected Iligan's cement industry. Larmingo Tam, president of the Iligan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that the price of cement has reduced significantly. But despite the low price of cement, there are lesser construction activities going on. Government infrastructure projects have been suspended. One such major project, the Linamon-Aurora road, was stopped due to lack of funds. Romeo Songkit, district engineer of the Department of Public Works and Highways, said that his office has been receiving funding on a staggered basis, which is distributed to the different contractors involved in the project. But since the money is not enough, the project had to be suspended, he added. Iligan to use dog in anti-drug drive The Iligan City Government plans to purchase a specially trained dog to give more teeth to its anti-drug campaign. City officials were impressed by demonstration conducted by a Yugoslavian dog handler involving a Dutch shepherd dog which easily detected hidden objects. Capt. Steve Hidhosan, of K-9 International, said that his two-year-old dog was trained to sniff prohibited drugs and firearms concealed in bags, car compartments and in the residence of suspected drug pushers. The dog is worth P1.5M. The price covers ownership of the dog and the cost of six-month training in Manila. |
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Mayor Quijano eyes expansion of Iligan port
Mayor Franklin Quijano called on the national government to improve Iligan's wharves. At the recent 21st anniversary celebration of the Port of Iligan, the city mayor and vice mayor urged the Philippine Port Authority (PPA) to modernize Iligan's port so that it could compete with those in other areas. Iligan's port, through the Bureau of Customs, has been earning over a billion pesos annually, yet only very little money is brought back to the city in the form of internal revenue allotment. It even reportedly generates more revenues than the Cagayan de Oro sea port, and yet Iligan is only a subport of Cagayan de Oro.
Web
sites for Hua Chiao
This new section features two interesting sites that are creating considerable stir on the World Wide Web. One is called "Huaren", meaning "overseas ethnic Chinese" or hua chiao. The site discusses significant topics involving the ethnic Chinese. It dissects the many issues concerning the adversities of life faced by them in their respective host countries. It features pictures and eyewitness accounts of atrocities committed against ethnic Chinese in Indonesia and elsewhere. The site has an interactive forum where viewers can share their opinions on matters relevant to Asians in general, and the ethnic Chinese in particular. Check it out at: http://www.huaren.org/
The other related web site is called "China Dawn" which confronts head-on the spate of violence committed against the ethnic Chinese in Indonesia. The site enables concerned viewers worldwide to file their petition, appeal or protest directly to the United Nations, the Chinese Embassy as well as the Indonesian Government. The URL is: http://www.nyct.net/~china/
Alumni
in the spotlight
"Tracers" this week fired off its alumni-seeking missiles into the vast open field and landed a good number of direct hits on alumni in the limelight. LCHS-AA past president Christopher Chua Teck An (Batch '56) has been elected regional deputy grand master of the Masonic Grand Lodge for Western Mindanao. Several alumni have likewise been elevated to key posts in the Iligan Masonic Lodge. Dominic Siao is now its secretary for 1998-99, along with Robert Co (Batch '66) as district grand lecturer; and Edwin Co (Batch '68), as tyler. Dr. Wilson Lim (Batch '70), one of the very few LCHS alumni-dentists, breezed into town recently for a brief week-long sojourn. Wilson is now owner and chief dentist of a flourishing two-storey dental clinic in Daly City, California, U.S.A. Somewhere in the burgeoning Pala-o area of Iligan, OB-Gyne specialist Dr. Felisa "Eng-Eng" Khu-Yu (Batch '72), and her husband James Yu, are enjoying brisk business with their JY Dimsum House. Their dimsum, it goes without saying, is selling like hotcakes. Another alumna on the move is Aida Chou-Ipili (Batch '67), now a high ranking staffer of the Human Resource Department of Napocor-Iligan, a job that keeps her in perpetual motion day in and day out organizing seminars, workshops, and the like. One more entertainment outlet has recently been added to Cebu's bustling night life by Roderick Ngo (Batch '70). Located along Osmeña Blvd., Rod's Westside Cafe is a sizable complex that houses a cozy cocktail lounge, a videoke nook and a beer & barbecue portico. This new hangout is drawing night owls in droves. Another alumnus cooking up a stir among the gourmet crowd is Edmund Samson. Edmund, now a successful architect in Cebu, recently opened his Nankin Noodle House beside the Chong Hua Hospital. This restaurant offers a mouth-watering menu of delectable Chinese delicacies, from wonton noodles to congee, from steaming dimsum to fresh Chinese lumpia. And over at Cebu's downtown office of the Philippine Airlines, there's one alumna who calls the shots; it's Glenda "Eng-Eng" Siao-Lim, now a PAL supervisor.
By Ernesto
L. Yu, M.D., Batch '65
LCHS Mango Tree - This towering monument of an era of rampant nostalgia in front of the former LCHS high school building was a graphic testament of the Law of Gravity: What goes up, must come down. Belligerent, sputtering sharpshooters with runny noses, pitching any available flying bullets (stones, brick, sticks, bunot) couldn't help taking aim at the hanging sour mangoes. Oftentimes, their blasts of tactical precision resulted in shotgun sprays of bountiful manna from heaven into the wild pagans on the sidelines who ground their teeth in anticipation and came packed with salt granules for the free-for-all scramble. For the helluva gutsy apes among us, a quick climb could empower them with the purest kind of adulation as they touched down vertically (feet first, of course!) with a bagful of harvest. More than a slapdash operation in physic theory and a riotous marvel on instant snacks, this tree stood - rain or shine - with my carved, arrowed, initialed heart, suffused with timeless soulfullness ... a vent to repressed thought bubbles and "love by assumption" - she's all yours without her knowing about it!
Muslim Kidnappers - the skirted commandos who loved to glaze gold nuggets in their dental works. Being kids gifted with fair complexion, we were brainwashed not to stray around smooth-talking strangers who might snatch us for commodity trading and slavery. "Ransom" in those days was not a commerce vocabulary. The established factors of the game: Handsomeness and charisma were major determinants of one's market value. Wonder if my tag price has gone south to bargain standard now that I'm a poster model of the Overweight Foundation. This "what if" and "why me?" can be tested by a swift dip in Iligan's water where this evil crime has registered sporadic growth. The heart-breaking part for me is if my family will triple the pirates' asking note, as an ultimate measure to save me from gross obesity through active participation in the rationed diet-program of my captors.
Vino Kulafu - an alcoholic jewel that preserves a foreign identity in American liquor outlets. This lowly sibling of the Tanduay-Añejo family never fails to wallop a dizzying punch when gulped at full blast in an empty stomach. It was (it is?) the choice of macho men who aim for inexpensive fix during fiesta, chilly-lonely nights, corner-debates, idle times ... anytime. Once, the bottled spirit stripped naked my introvert self: I became a hyperkinetic squirrel that unleashed a singing skill that sounded like a throat loaded with desperate aspirates, and stuporous circus act. In total amnesia! With its generous percentage of alcohol content, it can readily double as a lighter fluid, a tranquilizer for splintered hearts, a low-cost energy-tonic for pathetic drinkers on strict liquid diet. Kulafu rings like a chieftain in a minority tribe? Infuse his ecstatic rush in your veins and you'll discover that he is no minor player.
By Leonardo
"Eddie" Tan, Batch '66
After about 12 years in LCHS, I spent another 3 years with Chiang Kai Shek College in Tondo, Manila for my Chinese Senior High, then finished my Bachelor of Science in Architecture at the Far Eastern University for about 5 years. I had some funny moments in all these schools and here I am sharing some of them.
FEU. Architecture was not all drawings and fun. Some were research work and involved a great deal of reading such as History subject. This was a subject where many of my classmates did not expect to be good at. So after the first prelim exam, only 5 of us made the passing mark. So there were about 20 students who failed. Our professor was so upset with the result that he admonished the failures this way: "If Architecture is too difficult for you, I recommend that you shift to other courses. But since you like drawings very much, I advise you to take this short course of six months. The T-square you will be using might be a little curve and the pen you need is a much wider one. You don't need to study History. Why not shift to tailoring?"
CKS COLLEGE. From time to time we had this schedule of special assembly during Saturday mornings for some mental discipline and physical exercise with military march and precision. It was called CHIP HUN. One day it was our turn. Our senior Chinese class was composed perhaps of 6 sections with roughly a total of 200 students, boys and girls, in the quadrangle. I was in the front row as I belonged to section A. When the preliminary ceremonies were done, it was time for inspirational talk from the College President, Dr. Pao. He was passing in front of me when I noticed that his fly was open! I sort of moved forward to inform him about the impending disaster. But my classmate held me back and his eyes were saying: "DON'T TELL HIM!" So Dr. Pao went up the elevated platform where everyone had a good view of him. Not only was the gate open on his dark trousers but a part of his tucked-in white shirt slipped out as well. His topic that morning was the proper way of wearing the school uniform! Of all the topics! I had to bite my lips but my body was shaking uncontrollably and my eyes were filled with tears about to burst with laughter. So with the rest of the students! I missed my chance to be a hero that day. But I am very happy remembering that episode that I was not a killjoy after all.
LCHS. We were in Grade Five. The subject was Philippine Geography. Mr. Pedro Campugan was conducting a class recitation. He called up a girl classmate. Maybe she did not do her homework. She did not look confident enough as she stood up. Mr. Campugan asked her, "Name the island between Cebu and Bohol." She hesitated. Looked up the ceiling and around in front. A boy classmate from behind whispered softly, "Siguijor." She smiled and answered out loud, "Chiquito!" And the laughter that followed could be heard as far as the other end of the campus!
By
Henry L. Yu, M.D., Batch '69
1973 ... Where were we? What has eventuated since then? What have we achieved? What have become of us? Who are we now?
1998 ... 25 years after ... Here we are again, the midlifers, some heavier by twenty or thirty pounds, while others have maintained their whistle-bait figures, the facial skin becoming more porous with wrinkles and laugh lines, hyperpigmentations, falling hair, still ambulatory but with complaints of arthritic pain every now and then, and all the signs of getting wiser and more mature physically, mentally, and spiritually. In short, the signs of aging. But growing old gracefully nonetheless.
All graduates belonging to Class 1973, whether elementary, high school, college, or Medicine Proper, will be celebrating the same Jubilee, our Silver Year. And that includes those who have gotten married in 1973.
What is so special about celebrating a Silver Jubilee? Well, for one, not everybody gets the chance to celebrate 25 years of life, or schooling, or marriage or the company's founding. Some never reach midlife, or worst, not even the third decade of their life. Twenty-five years is 25 years, whether you like it or not. Time moves. And life has to go on. No matter how hard times are, no matter how much of life's adversities are there, we owe it all to our Almighty Creator for giving us the chance to live 25 years of the borrowed life that He has loaned without amortization primarily to perpetuate His mission for each of us His instruments, His children. And when our mission is over, it is time to say, "Thank you, dear Lord, for giving us the chance to be participants of your programs."
Mabuhay ang class 1973! Here's to all of us more healthy and fruitful years to come until we celebrate another Jubilee ... The Golden Year.
By
Alex S. Rodriguez, M.D., Batch '65
We're glad that our series on medical myths and misconceptions elicited a reaction from LCHS alumna Susan Kennedy Jensen, who wrote last week to share with us her experience in warts. For the benefit of all, here are a few facts on the subject of warts.
Warts are skin growths brought about by viral infection. They are called differently as to location and etiology.
(a) Verruca vulgaris (common wart) is a circumscribed, firm,
elevated growth which may occur anywhere on the skin, oral mucosa and genitalia
but the most common sites are the fingers. This is caused by human papilloma
virus.
(b) Verruca plana is a slightly raised or flat wart that often
occurs on the face and can be multiple.
(c) Verruca plantaris occurs on the sole of the foot.
(d) Molluscum contagiosum is characterized by small papules
and may be multiple. This is due to poxvirus infection.
(e) Condyloma acuminatum are cauliflower-like growths around
the anal and genital regions. This is due to human papilloma virus and
may be transmitted sexually.
Treatment is usually by excision or cryosurgery or less commonly by chemical cautery.
Thanks to Susan Kennedy Jensen for her interest in our column.
America, champion of democracy; advocate of free speech, freedom, and all the so-called "rights."
Yet, for all you know, we are living here bound by the teeth of the laws. Do you know that we are not allowed to drink beer or alcoholic beverage in public places? You have to conceal it in a brown bag, like the manila paper. There is no such place here where such care-free indulgences as inuman sa kalye can be enjoyed as in the Philippines. One has to drive according to prescribed speed limits constantly. Or else one gets slapped with a hefty ticket. Not too slow nor too fast. Cops are all over the road, monitoring speed infractions with radar. You are not allowed to feed the birds in the premises of your own house. That would be endangering their habitat. You can't make so much noise in the privacy of your home. That would be violating the peace and quiet of your good neighbors. Public nuisance, they call it.
This is New York. The Big Apple. The melting pot of the world. Here you will see people of all races, including people from Timbuktu, down to the Indian taxi driver with his ubiquitous turban, a la Aladdin, and the Pinoys working in hospitals. You name them, they are all here.
You have to pay tolls here for every 20 miles you drive on the major roads, about 25 to 35 cents. New York tolls cost even more, about $5 each way. Not to mention their parking fee which is about $20.00 an hour!
America - land of the free?
(Editors' Note: Carlo Bodiongan,
Batch '89, is a registered nurse based in Bloomfield, New Jersey, U.S.A.
He was editor of the Plumblossom, student
publication of LCHS in 1989.)
| LCHS-AA ROSTER OF MEMBERS |
Third Installment: H to O
Handumon, Alex V.; Handumon, Lilia S.; Jo, Agripino C.; Jo, Alfredo;
Jo, Dennis M.; Jo, Jane; Jo, Joel T.; Jo, Juanita Te; Jo, Monica (deceased);
Jo, Nelson M.; Jomdos, Charmaine Molo; Kho, Luis; Kho, Marlybeth
S.; Kho, Siok Tyng; Kho, Siok We; Kho, Stevenson S.; Kho, Bennie; Khu,
Bonifacio; Khu, Fernando; Khu, Siu Tin Vy; Kuan, Wilfredo R.; Lagrosas,
Elsa G.; Lagrosas, Roberto G; Lagrosas, Vanessa May M.; Lagtapon, Evande
Marie; Lai, Alfredo O. II; Lai, Alfredo N.; Lai, Bryan Bruce O.; Lai, Clark
Ong; Lai, Po Hua O.; Larrazabal, Marie Fleta N.; Lee, Andy Ang; Lee, Carolyn
A.; Lee, Charlie; Lee, Christine S.; Lee, Ellen A.; Lee, Ester A.; Lee,
Frances A.; Lee, Henrietta A.; Lee, Kee Sin; Lee, Philip Jones A.; Lee,
Ricarda Tan; Lee, Tessie; Libron, Luisa Uy; Lim, Betty S.; Lim, Bienvenido
S.; Lim, Castor O.; Lim, Elena; Lim, Elizabeth; Lim, Fanny D.; Lim, Felipe
S.; Lim, Gil S.; Lim, Glenda Siao; Lim, Grace Yap; Lim, Jane D.; Lim, Jason
Robert G.; Lim, Johnson D.; Lim, Jose G.; Lim, Jose Teck Hua; Lim, Lolita;
Lim, Michael Phillip; Lim, Remedios Ling; Lim, Richard D.; Lim, Stephanie;
Lim, Suniel; Lim, Wilford D.; Lim, Wilson D.; Lim, Wilson S.; Lim Lo Suy,
Leonsia Sy; Ling, Jerry W.; Ling, Jimmy (deceased); Ling, Joan A.;
Ling, Johnny W.; Lituan, Walter Dy; Lua, Flora Dy Cham; Luna, Rubylle Q.;
Militante, Alice Ngo; Mondarte, Proserpina S.; Mondarte, San; Mondarte, Sherwin; Natividad, Glenn B.; Ng, Dy Siok Ching; Ng, Philchin Adlaon; Ngo, Jeanette; Ngo, Joel T.; Ngo, Johnard C.; Ngo, Pablito; Ngo, Roderick L.; Ong, Chiao Guan (Dy Sek Tong); Ong, Conchita Te; Ong, Felisa Booc; Ong, Maria Cristina B.; Ong, Marites W.; Ong, Marlon; Ong, Martina Bernardo; Ong, Miguel A.; Ong, Santiago A.; Opiniano, Juliana Ang; Orbe, Jaylyn Tabuzo; and Orbe, Roland Winloo L.
Jokes
from the Internet: Of men and women
1. A man will pay $2 for a $1 item he wants. A woman will pay
$1 for a $2 item that she doesn't want.
2. A woman worries about the future until she gets a husband.
A man never worries about the future until he gets a wife.
3. Married men live longer than single men - but married men
are a lot more willing to die.
4. A woman marries a man expecting he will change, but he doesn't.
A man marries a woman expecting that she won't change and she does.
5. A woman has the last word in any argument. Anything a man
says after that is the beginning of a new argument.
6. There are two times when a man doesn't understand a woman
- before marriage and after marriage.