Internet Newsletter of the Alumni of Lanao Chung Hua School Vol. 3, No. 13, September 6, 1999, Iligan City, Philippines CYBER CHAT More alumni converge in cyberspace Don't look now, but even before the grand reunion 2000 comes around, LCHS alumni from different corners of the globe are already conducting their own reunion in cyberspace. Alumni who have registered with the LCHS Chat Room frequently get together online to chat and exchange juicy news with one another. As of August 31, 1999, the chat site had enlisted the following members: Charles Sy, Vinson Ngo, Ernesto Yu, Rene Tio, Roderick Ngo, Susan Jensen, Larry Sy, Leonardo Tan, Alex Rodriguez, Tessie Go, Johnny Chen, Lyndon Ngo, Nelson Sy, Lisa Lueong, Lonielyn Loa, Alfred Lai, Peter Dy, Marie Janiefer Lee, Ritchelle Ang, Mark Jonathan Te, Johnard Ngo, Evelyn Yu Go, Jennifer Te, Suniel Lim, Godwin Lim, Lily Lueong Yang, Dominic Siao, Roger Suminguit, Mark Erasquin, Lyndon Co, Igdono Caracho, Willy Dy, Marie Josiefel Ello, Mike Lee; Juniler Sausal; and Antonio Leo Te. The private chat site, established on the Internet by the Spectrum on May 16, 1999, enables members to chat with each other online. Chat sessions are held usually at 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm on Saturdays, and 8:30 am to 9:30 am on Sundays (RP Time).  Interested alumni may sign up for membership on this website: http://anexa.com/lchsalumni

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 47 WEEKS to Grand Homecoming

Six LCHS students have been granted scholarship by the LCHS Alumni Association for the first semester of school year 1999-2000.  The recipients are Giza Lyn Kho, Grade I (English & Chinese); Sylvester Siangco, Grade 6 (English), Grade 5 (Chinese); Jill An Wong, Grade 5 (English), Kinder 2 (Chinese); Elizabeth Lee, Grade 3 (English), Grade 2 (Chinese); Stevenson Lim, Grade 2 (English), Kinder 2 (Chinese); and Mac Vincent Siangco, Grade I (English), Kinder 2 (Chinese). The family of the late Dy Sun Kang donated P10,000 to the LCHS Scholarship Fund last Aug. 19, the 49th day of his death. Dy Sun Kang initiated the formation of the LCHS-AA scholarship program and was one of the 3 members of the Scholarship Committee.

LCHS holds speech tilts
By Igdono Caracho (Batch '66)

LCHS recently held its annual speech contests among its students in different levels. The winners in the High School Level oration contest were Jan Michol Cerna (4th year), first place; Jane Dale Racines (3rd year), second; and Sheila Vy (3rd year), third. The winners in the declamation contest in the  Intermediate Level were Ann Aubrey Oliverio (grade 6), first place; Kristina Carmela So (grade 6) & Ma. Eikon Cabili (grade 6), second; and Dave Dingal (grade 5), third. In the Primary Level, the winners were Johnahleen Maceda (grade 3), first place; Jemuel Labradores (grade 3), second; and Frances Clea (grade 2), third.

Alumni kid tops spelling bee, math contests

Derwin Dexter Sy, 12 year old son of alumnus Nelson Sy (Batch '62), won the Cebu District Championship in the Math Olympics and Spelling Bee contests conducted by the Association of Christian Schools International in Cebu City. Derwin represented the Bethany Christian School in the high school first year level of the competition involving different Christian schools based in Metro Cebu last Aug. 27. Derwin graduated salutatorian of his Grade VI class last March. He helped design and set up the LCHS alumni and Spectrum home pages on the Internet in 1997.

Another alumnus passes away
By Teresita Racines (Batch '67)

Another LCHS alumnus has passed away. Johnson Salvador Dy died last Sept. 2. He is survived by his wife Josefina (aka Panga) and children Nelson, Lecon, Letty, Willy, Robinson and Elson. Interment is scheduled on Sept. 7, 1999.

By Roger T. Suminguit, Batch '73

At a Kanaway waiting shed with Fidel Fuertes

It was mid-afternoon of July 31, 1999 when I and my buddy Roberto "Henry" Lagrosas (Batch '72) had the pleasure of conversing with former LCHS teacher Fidel Fuertes. He was waiting for a ride at the Kanaway waiting shed. Our chat was cordial and pleasant amidst the heat of the afternoon sun. (See accompanying photo, available on website edition, showing Fidel Fuertes [at right] together with Henry Lagrosas.)  Fidel Fuertes, now 75 years old, was born April 14, 1924.  He taught at LCHS from 1956 to 1963 as class adviser of Grade VI. He was later invited back to LCHS, where he taught social sciences in high school from 1985 to 1988. He is currently residing at Purok 16, Kanaway, Iligan City. Mr. Fuertes spoke of his pride at being a witness to the first batch of LCHS high school graduates. Among the graduates at that time whom he remembers were Guardson Siao, Tonga Dy, Aurora Tan, and Rufino Booc. Ahead of Mr. Fidel Fuertes to teach at LCHS by 2 years was Pedro Campugan (from 1954 to 1963).  Now a retiree, Mr. Fuertes reminisces about the good times he shared with his good friends in the Chinese community. He used to join a group that gathered every morning at 7:30 a.m. for some chats at our store near the Queen Theater. Among those in the group were my father Tan Lam, Dy Un Suy, Siao Bon Po, Dy Chu Tee, and Ngo Wan Sing. He also spoke of his attendance at our alumni Christmas party in 1997 and 1998. He said he felt like a stranger at the party. Although Mrs. Crisanta Alcover-Ayson and a few former students were also present, most of those around were new faces and were unfamiliar to him. Many alumni whom he knew were also quite busy at the party.  After our 45-minute interview with Mr. Fuertes, we drove him to the city proper and bade each other goodbye. He said he is looking forward to seeing more of his former students in this year's Christmas party and at the grand homecoming next year.

New Spectrum subscribers
More alumni have recently been added to the Spectrum subscription list. The latest additions are Joel T. Ngo (Batch '77), Davao; Roger Suminguit (Batch '73), Iligan; Lyndon Ngo (Batch '82), Taiwan; Lonielyn Loa, Iligan; Ritchelle Ang (Batch '96), Iligan; Hiram Dy-Henry (Batch '94), Iligan; Ursulina Bernardo Esteban (Batch '63), Manila; Nanette Chio Hernandez (Batch '77), Iligan; Suniel Lim (Batch '66), Iligan; Marie Josiefel Q. Ello (Batch '83), Iligan; Igdono Caracho (Batch '66), Cebu; Susan Lim de la Cruz, Iloilo; Roland Winluv Orbe (Batch '96), Iligan; Jaime T. Andaquig (Batch '75), Sydney, Australia; Cresenciano Jiz de Ortega, former LCHS teacher, Iligan; and Antonio Leo Te (Batch '69), Tainan, Taiwan.

BATCH 1991:  Mark Andaquig; Margarette Booc; Bonard Booc; Kerwin Co; Jonna Marie Dabalucos; Carina Dy-Carlos; Arvin Flauta; Jeanette Ngo; Rosemarie Patiño; Judy Pua; Jeverly So; Ruben Tan; Annaliza Tan; Sarah Jane Yu; and John Smith Yu.

BATCH 1992:  Amabel Abadiano; Angelyn Acedo; David Areola Jr.; Joselito Cruz; Nicomedes Debalucos Jr.; Aimee Dy Pico; Caroline Fortich; Christopher Dominic Lim; Cromwell Brian Lim; Filomena Manzano; Larry James Ngo; Sidney Sherwin Pagay; Mark Enrique Patero; Karen Gay Patria; Giovanni Ian Patria; Hopper Po; Jonathan Po; Jay Rivera; Jonathan Sawit; Hubert Tan; Sharon Uy; Grace Emmily Yap; Lorraine Yu; and William Yu.  (To be continued)

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

Perhaps my brainwashing sessions in Lanao del Norte obtunded the refined maturity of my genetic set of discriminatory senses.  Maybe durian, a seasonal fruit that has an endearing affinity to Mindanao's crust of earth and nowhere else in the Philippine archipelago, cradled my olfactory wirings with its distinctive tang and texture to such sophistication that I assumed this spiny Davao provinciano was a heavenly tickler of any taste buds, irregardless of palate education, hair color and nose shape. The aromatic mystique of durian was ingrained in my subconscious as an addicting appetite stimulant, so compelling that the mere twitch of its name never disappoints to pound in me an intriguing sentimental peep into the quaint reminders of the good old Iligan City camp.

One Sunday while hunting for bargain refills to our stockpile of oriental foodstuffs in Toronto's (Canada) bustling chinatown, I staggered in exhilarating whoops when a frozen brand of seedless, ready-to-melt, packed in Thailand love-of-my-youth greeted my grossly dilated eyes. My glad nerves for items of nostalgia reflexly scooped and romped away with the rare prized gustatory sensation, even at an astronomical price tag ($9 plus tax for two fist-like clumps ). Truth be told, the dazzling savory import surged in and out of my waltzing mind as I speeded through the one and a half trip back home, precipitating spasmodic swallowing and muffled burp. "Viola!" I silently exclaimed, "I finally snagged the fibrous delicacy of my long-ago juvenile generation."

The next morning, I was astonished when our Caucasian laundry lady registered a complaint of a  "spoiled, decomposing chicken smell" in the fridge. This was - brace yourselves, Iliganon compatriots - the defrosted sweetie of our lives. Verna doubly magnified my bewilderment when she recounted in excruciating details how she, as an innocent lass blooming in Negros Oriental, used to be devastated with fierce migraine and flooring nausea by this dizzying stinker.  Her nightmare, I rationalized, didn't seem to contain a logical thread as my mouth stuttered in ecstatic rush and gushed with salivary bubbles by just recycling in my head a whiff of Dory Ann's perfume. My boys compounded my bafflement when they proclaimed insane alliance to their mother's pathological allergy to the "odor". Until I made the mortal mistake of letting my darling dependents-foes to play in their tongues the out-of-this-planet pulps of creamy flavor, with their noses pinched mightily tight.  In a wink, my princess and her abiding cute little warriors reversed their one-sided judgment slip: they chimed in a chorus of "Bloody great, my man!" They devoured the once-cursed irritant like they were tendered only a minute to inhale democracy before being wheeled away by a cataclysmic doom. Just visualize the commotion of molecules brewed by these tiny rascals with Pac Man grinders who challenged my godly instinct to a duel of survival; I have to battle a pack of wolves that were too wild to be tamed even with stunning rounds of rifle blasts.

Once past the shock of this free-for-all rumble, my dates with the blisteringly luscious D have become drills on calculated caution, unceremonious secret encounters of guilty pleasure: I polished it off while ice-solid, before its sensuous musk jars my troop from their whimpering state of nocturnal snores and declare the wake up call as National Pig-Out Night.

And our American hired-help? She showed up the following day garbed in paramilitary gas mask with an exorcist in tow!

By Leonardo "Eddie" Tan, Batch '66

We are now at the threshold of the 21st century. And in this information age of endless inventions where man can now communicate with almost anyone, anywhere, anytime. Where information is just a click away. Yet one of the mysteries that remain to the uninitiated is this worldwide fraternity with that secret handshake, Freemasonry.

What is Freemasonry? It is a Brotherhood of Men under the Fatherhood of God. It is not a religion but its foremost requirement to be a member is one's belief in the Supreme Being. If you are an atheist, don't attempt to join. It is a very much maligned organization that some churches in the distant past had excommunicated its members and to some extent till the present day.  Some priests recently here in Sydney even distributed some articles calling the fraternity an anti-Christ movement or a satanic group. And I learned about this in one of the parties I attended recently when suddenly I was so surprised about my friends' interest and curiosity.

I think the enigma about Freemasonry is its secret. That very mystic secret handshake. I don't want to spoil the fun, but there is really nothing secretive about Freemasonry anymore. If one is really that curious and determined, one could find all the answers in many books that are now openly published in the USA. And many will just be disappointed as there is nothing new really about the secret handshakes which have no other significance except to recognize one another. Would you reveal the ending of a thriller movie to your friend?

Freemasonry started in England some years after the big fire of London on Sept. 1, 1666. Before that, what existed were the different masonic guilds that flourished during the renaissance age and some evidence even date back as early as the medieval age. Legend tells us that it started at the building of King Solomon's Temple 3,000 years ago. These were men who were stone masons and builders of the early temples and later the great Christian churches or cathedrals which still existed in Europe today. These masons were classified into 3 categories according to their skills. Thus we had the apprentices, fellowcrafts and master masons which is still being adopted by the fraternity today.

In the olden days, these workers did not carry any identification or certificate attesting to their skills. Thus it was the responsibility of the master masons of a particular lodge to bestow the handshake for that particular skill so that when he travels to other worksites or lodges the master mason of that site would know the new arrival's qualification and thus accord him the corresponding wages. That's why these handshakes are a closely guarded secret so that there would be no impostors in their midst! That is the sole purpose of its secrecy!  It is very obvious that the term "temple" is used to name a Masonic building as a remembrance to that great building of King Solomon's Temple. Although, today in order to avoid confusion as a religion, the term "Masonic Center" is now commonly used.  The term "lodges" was used since the early times when there was still no inn or hotel. Masons used to travel a great distance and they had to stay overnight in some worksites along their way where they with their secret handshake would be accommodated free by their brother tradesmen and given free meals before continuing their journey. Thus masons got their nickname as travellers. A worksite therefore would be designated the name of the project and followed by the word LODGE. For example: St. Michael's Church Lodge. Which is still being practiced today.

In the 16th century, almost all the churches and cathedrals of Europe were already finished and most of the masons therefore were jobless and had nowhere to go. Then there was this great fire of London exactly four centuries ago which destroyed practically the entire capital of England. So the masons from all over Europe once more found employment there to rebuild that great city. And that was the last great construction era for stone masons. The number of masons started to dwindle after that. In order for the masonic guilds to survive, they started initiating non-masons as members. Thus FREEMASONRY was born.

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

I remember the periodical tests held at the LCHS auditorium where we occupied the juxtapositionally arranged armchairs along with other students from different levels. Likewise, the posting of the names of honor students with their corresponding grades, and the winners of the Writing and Drawing Contests, on the bulletin board near the faculty room adjacent to the spot where the school bell and the "Lost & Found" box were located.  I remember the names of Virna Sy, Ursulina Bernardo, Romeo Go, Leoncia Sy, Yolando Siao, Gloricita Racines, Norma Sy, Alex Rodriguez, Ernesto Yu, Wilson Lim, Teresita Siao, Vy Sio Tin, Emma Yap, the Lim sisters (Cristina, Elena, Lolita, and Elizabeth), Marcy Sy, Fena Choa Tan, Lucio Choa Tan, Carlina Dy, Dy Sun Lay, Margarita Kho, Emelita Lee, the Ngos (Helen, Alice, Roderick, and Susan), Jane Sy, Vy Sio Hua, Evangeline Ang, Sonia Clemen, Lea Quilat, Tita Go, Glenda Sy, Farley Sy, Jane Dy, Ritky Dy, Arthur Dy, and a lot more of the so-called "Students in the Honor Roll."

Equally unforgettable were our teachers who painstakingly took the time to inculcate in us the rudiments of educating future professionals that we have become, the likes of Amparo Villaruel, Corazon Alpuerto, Anacorita Campugan, Pedro Campugan, Fidel Fuertes, Loreta Co, Flora Dy, Linda Ang, Sofia Vy, Marietta Kwan, Felipe Oh, Luis Yap, Rosie Siao, Virginia Handumon, Virna Sy, Perfecta Uy, Enriqueta Arnejo, Ursulina Bernardo, Lourdes de la Cruz, Julian Narciso, Teresita Maulas, Catalina Daan, Caridad Collantes, Crisanta Alcover, Nonela Wong, Chona Serrato, Teresita Lim, Jiz Ortega, Mr. Gener, and a lot more.

Several decades after graduation from LCHS, I wonder what has happened to them. Most of our former teachers must be in their 60s or 70s now, retired and enjoying their sunset years. Wonder where they are now, what they are up to, or what they look like today after so many years. All these add up to our excitement as we look forward to our Grand Reunion set for Aug. 3-5, 2000 - the first ever in the history of LCHS. And if only for these, don't you think coming home to Iligan in general, and LCHS in particular, is worth the time and effort? Remember what we have become we all owe it to our dear alma mater and our teachers. Without LCHS, there could be no doctors, nurses, engineers, lawyers, architects, managers, teachers, and other professionals, which we have become today.

For once in our life, let us all get together again in one big event, in one memorable place which has made us all the realities of yesterday's dreams, the premium quality products of LCHS - truly a name yesterday, a legend today. Cheers to all LCHS alumni! And thanks be to our ever loyal mentors and our beloved alma mater. For always. Yesterday. Today. Tomorrow. Forevermore.

By Marie Janiefer Q. Lee, Batch '87

Remember the days when you had a toothache?  Well, I could never forget those very painful episodes of my life.  Toothache, I guess, is the worst pain we could ever go through as kids.  Unlike headaches which we can easily ease by some paracetamol, or stomachache which could easily go away with a couple of Sirogun, with a toothache we couldn't even rub it just to ease the pain.

So now as a mother I'm very particular with my kids' teeth.  Aside from teaching them early on about the proper way to brush, I also discourage them from eating too much candies and chocolates.  I explain to them that these sweet stuffs contain lots of sugar which, when left on the teeth for a period of time, could easily bore a hole on their teeth and cause some serious toothache.

Somebody once gave my son a bag of "Kisses."  Instead of trying to hide it from him which would only heighten his curiosity I just put it in the ref.  Then one evening when we got back from work I discovered that the bag of chocolate was empty.  So I asked Jacob to explain what happened to it.  He admitted that he ate them all.  Instead of giving him a karate kick or a good beating, I told him to go to the bathroom and brush his teeth. But not the usual brushing.  He had to keep brushing his teeth until I told him to stop.  It was after 30 minutes when he was visibly tired and teary that I allowed him to stop.

After that incident he has learned to call me for my permission whenever he wants to eat something sweet or something that I may not approve of.  Whenever he does this I make it a point not to say "no".  I try to explain things first.  Or I'd set a limit like three "Kisses" instead of the whole bag.  I tell him to drink lots of water afterwards and then brush his teeth.  Now he knows that by asking permission he's actually informing me of his actions and he won't get a "no" without proper explanations.

The lesson I'm trying to get through to him, which I hope he would apply to other things in his life later on, is:  Whenever he wants to go out he should let me know and not just leave without saying anything. Or when some relative picks him up at the house he should call me first before running off.  You know kids of all ages just need a sound reasoning and consistency to get them on your side instead of against you.  A simple "no" and "don't" will not get us far with the kids of today.

Medical exam
As a clinical instructor at a local college of nursing, I was tasked to lecture and give an examination on acid-based imbalance in the body. The subject was quite complicated with values to be remembered and to identify whether it is "Respiratory" or "Metabolic," and "Acidosis" or "Alkalosis." When I checked the test papers of my students, one answer caught my eye. A student simply answered: "Patient is Dead." --Alfred Lai II, RN (Batch '89), Iligan, Philippines

While I was watching TV one night with my two-year-old son Alec, he suddenly hugged me and said, "Love you, mama."

I was so stunned. It was the first time I have heard him say so. I was so overwhelmed I did not know whether to cry or not. Instead I hugged him back and replied, "Love you, baby." After that show of affection, he turned his attention back to the TV set. He didn't realize what he just did to me. Now I know what it feels to be in Cloud Nine. It gave me a different kind of high. After that first incident, several similar gestures followed, especially before he goes to sleep. He would say "Love you, mama ... good night" and then blow several wet kisses to my face.

I was on the phone one day talking to my mother, when Alec grabbed the phone and said, "Love you, amah." I could hear my mother laughing on the other end. Coming from a typically non-demonstrative family, it is something new for us. It is not something that just comes easily. So, if we say something affectionate we really mean every word of it.

I look forward to the day when Alec is grown up and, still without inhibition, would show his affection to me. Though we know how simple these three words are, sometimes it is very difficult for grown-up children to utter them. Knowing how powerful these three words are to parents, especially to us mothers who are the sentimental ones between parents, they definitely spell music to our ears. And so I would say to my mom: "Love you, mama, and thank you for having me as your daughter."

As I was reading "If Only..." by Marie Janiefer Q. Lee (Spectrum, Aug. 23, 1999), I felt sad thinking that my daughter will someday find herself in similar situation.

My daughter is now 11 years of age and in middle school with no dad around her practically since she was a tiny tot! She never sat on daddy's lap or held daddy's hand; never celebrated birthdays, Christmas holidays or Easter egg haunting with dad; no dad to go trick or treat on Halloweens; no dad to go camping or fishing with; no dad to push the swing set or just to play around; no dad to celebrate with her First Communion; no dad to take pictures and videos on her piano recitals and school programs; no dad to pat her back for being a consistent "A" honor student and for belonging to a class of gifted and talented students since elementary; no dad on "Doughnut for Dad Day" in school every year; no dad around her to celebrate Father's Day. If only I can buy her a "Good Dad" in the store, I will. Unfortunately I can't! I can act as mom and dad to her, but I can never replace the daddy she's longing for in her heart.

Just as children must obey and love their parents, so must parents love and care for their children as well. Do not prioritize work, money and fame before God and family. You may have millions in fortune, but once you lose your loved ones you lose them for good. Parents, especially dads, do forget that their little girls or boys grow up and they will only be children once.  Time flies so fast that some parents miss this opportunity to watch their children grow. Workacholism and materialism cannot and will not replace what's inside the heart. Do not take things for granted so that you may have fond memories to cherish someday and old-time favorite stories to tell your grandchildren.

In life, always try your best. You may fail in some things, but you will succeed in others. We all have our share. God bless!