INTERNET NEWSLETTER OF THE ALUMNI OF LANAO CHUNG HUA SCHOOL
Vol. II - No. 21, September 7, 1998, Iligan City, Philippines

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Charo Bodiongan, LCHS Batch '93, passed the recent board examinations for physical therapists.  She was one of the 22% who passed the exams for PT and OT given last August 22. A graduate of the Cebu Doctors College,  she is the daughter of Vicente (Lim Kim San) and Gloria Chan of Iligan City.  Charo, who is currently in Cebu City, will be in Manila on Sept. 19 for the oath taking ceremonies.  Meanwhile, two daughters of alumna Helen Ngo-Lim (Batch '68) also passed the recent board exams.  Janice Lim, a graduate of the University of Santo Tomas, passed the medical board exams given last August. She will soon be pursuing her residency training in Manila.  Janice's younger sister, Christine, a graduate of the University of San Carlos, passed the board exams for pharmacists also last August.

Ernie Yu to present paper in U.S. confab

Dr. Ernesto L. Yu (Batch '65) will present a paper on "Intrathecal Narcotic for Chronic Pain"  in the American-Canadian Anesthesia Conference to be held at Niagara Falls next Spring (May 1999).  The conference will be attended by some 200 anesthesiologists, residents, nurse anesthetists and medical students from Rochester, Syracuse, Albany, Toronto and other neighboring cities in the U.S.A. and Canada. A much sought after speaker who combines his medical discourse with wit and humor, he was also a speaker in the Upstate New York Anesthesia Conference in Rochester in 1995.  Aside from his private practice as an anesthesiologist, Dr. Yu is also active in teaching medical students and residents at the State University of NY in Buffalo College of Medicine.  He is a diplomate of the American Board of Anesthesiology and the American Academy of Pain Management. He will be in Cebu in the first week of December this year to attend the Cebu Institute of Medicine Silver Jubilee Celebration, where he is also a featured speaker for the school's medical seminars.

Never missed an issue
Tue, 25 Aug 1998 09:12:09 +0300

I never missed a single issue of the Spectrum. I enjoy reading the articles, particularly those medical tips of Alex Rodriguez, which are very educational; and those of Henry Yu, my good friend specially during party times. Oh, I just love to recall all those good old days: so precious, so memorable, knowing that they will never come back to us again except in memories. And to be fair, overall, the news and all other articles are indeed very enlightening.  Now I am updated with everything that is going on over there and anywhere for that matter. I did share the Spectrum with my sister who is in California, U.S.A. And she has asked to be included in the Spectrum mailing list, too.

Lily Lueong Yang (Batch '67), Manila, Philippines
chad@i-next.net

New staff member

With this issue, the Spectrum welcomes its newest staff member, Alfred "Al-Al" Lai II.  A member of Batch '89, Al-Al is a registered nurse currently based in Iligan City.  He was features editor of the Plumblossom, LCHS student publication in 1989.  Al-Al will cover the LCHS campus beat and, from time to time, will also share his insights on various significant issues concerning our Alma Mater and alumni as viewed from the perspectives of his generation. Al-Al is the son of Alfredo and Elita "Po Hua" Lai (Batch '62).

Wanna say hello to Agustin Wu?

In touch with Agustin Wu.  The Spectrum recently got in touch with Agustin Wu (Ngo Nai Kong), courtesy of Susan Ngo Lo (Batch '72).  Mr. Wu was a member of the LCHS Chinese faculty in the 60s.  He taught Chinese language, literature, music, among other advanced subjects.  He is now a consultant & computer programmer of an import-export firm dealing in fishing materials in Cebu City, after retiring from the Chong Hua Hospital, where he was its EDP head for many years. He now lives in Gemsville, Lahug, Cebu City, with his wife, Zenaida, who runs a food catering business for various school canteens.  Mr. Wu says he misses his LCHS students very much and would be pleased to hear from his former students. His phone number is (32) 231-1378. He plans to secure his own e-mail address soon.

New Alumni Grandpa.  Our cheers to alumni director Suniel "Boy" Lim (Batch '66), who has just become a new grandpa!  Boy's eldest daughter Cherrieanne recently gave birth to a baby girl christened Carla Andrea.  Cherrieanne is married to Joon Mosqueda.  The Mosquedas now reside in Cagayan de Oro.

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

Reflecting on my youngest son Christopher's clueless approach to first year college baptism, I can positively nail down the conclusion that a throng of high school graduates exhibit essentially the same uncertainties as they thunder their initial collegiate steps this September fall semester.

Time was when a four-year undergraduate education was merely a "shunting mechanism" against the true naggings of the real world: You glue yourself in a field of study without projecting where this academic path will lead you toward obtaining a job. The mechanics was like "Let me just scoop the molecular links of vertebrates or comprehend the every stroke of Renaissance painters, bloat in my curiosity and thirst for knowledge, and scout for after-graduation employment later." Moreover, schools snared the newly minted dreamers with a lavish array of interesting and intoxicating subjects for the senses, but shove the business sectors', who eventually would have to absorb these learned souls, input in the back seats! Destiny was carved by a sample whiff of the prevailing climate, not the future scenario.

In the late 20th century, this loose relationship between universities and employers has evolved radically into a close-knit, harmonious partnership. Today, practical study emphasizing business-entrepreneurship, science-computer technology, and communication-information systems are buffed to a shine in preparation for the ever-changing marketplace demands of the next millennium. School administrators soak in the pains of opening the studentry's peripheral focus, to paint the reality that these offered courses will assist them in procuring handsomely compensated occupations upon graduation; and not transformed them into an insensate armada of robots and stargazers. For example, a local college here specially designed a master's program in telecommunication per request-guidance of a blue-chip business player, for advanced and updated technology training of its current staffs. In health care scenario, this tide change is forcing pharmacies, physical therapists and physical assistants to handle many of the minor services dispensed by MDs. Pharmacy, for one, is offered as a joint bachelor's and master's program in medicinal chemistry as pharmacists are no longer "just drug dispensers", their standard has inched up beyond the basic bachelor's degree.

Where is this propelling our greenhorn Chris? Hopefully among the twinkling stars where he can rack up sufficient dough to pay off our inevitable nursing home ransom notes!

By Leonardo "Eddie" Tan, Batch '66

When we were kids learning our first few lessons during our early days in school, I was always embarrassed to ask questions about things I didn't know. Do I have to blame myself or was it the culture at that particular time?  I was just afraid that if I asked questions, the teacher might ridicule me as a stupid moron and friends and classmates might laugh at me.

But we should never be ashamed to ask questions when there's something we don't know. This is the only way we could learn.

I just recently learned how the military salute originated. That is the salute with your right hand with finger touching the right eyebrow. This is so simple and common that I don't even know about it even with my 4 semesters of ROTC.  I was told that this originated during the medieval period when knights wore metal armor with metal helmet and with their eyes practically covered by a visor. So it was quite difficult or just impossible to recognize a friend or foe when one knight meets another as they were both covered including their faces. Thus, it became a practice in those times to open your visor when meeting one another. That act became our modern day universal military salute.

What about a toast around the dinner table where people wish one another good health by clinking their glasses? What is its significance?  This tradition  is also derived from the medieval ages when knights sat around the table for dinner for a celebration of something. In those times most acts of treachery were accomplished by poisoning one's drink. So what they did was to pour some of their drinks from one glass to the other by raising their glasses. So that the visitors' wine was also in the host's glass and vice versa. (No wonder some people where horrified when Pres. Erap drank first then gave the toast in one of the receptions held earlier after his assumption to the highest office!) By this action no one would dare betray the other by poisoning the drink. It became our modern day ritual for affirmation of friendship.

I wrote a few weeks ago about Sydney's Mayor presenting the architect of the Opera House a golden Key to the City of Sydney. What is the significance and how did this tradition started? Again this is a legacy from the medieval period. In those days, a city or town was a walled fortress, with a moat surrounding it. People would come and go through a drawbridge and there was this huge gate with wooden doors with hundreds of bolts. This door had a lock. It was the key to this lock that was being presented to people whom the city wish to honor as one of their own. The key symbolizes that one can come anytime as the city was also his. If you give a set of your house keys to your house guests, it signifies a very high degree of total trust and warm welcome.

So whenever we salute, make a toast or present the key to our city, we now have a better understanding of its deeper meaning handed down to us by our medieval knights.

By Henry L. Yu, M.D.,  Batch '69

"Most of us have cherished souvenirs.  Photos, mementos, objects of little material value that nevertheless hold priceless memories of places, people and special moments in our lives..."

So goes the introductory piece of the special limited edition of the tape which my wife bought for me last week.  It is an album containing such souvenirs by no less than the idol ng masa - the Jose Mari Chan.

The package comes in a 5-1/2 by 5 inches hard bound box beautifully crafted containing a souvenir booklet personally written by the author himself and, of course, the tape featuring 16 "rare and hard-to-find songs for the nostalgic buffs."  It is priced at P150.00.

I have been an avid fan of the Jose Mari Chan since time immemorial.  As far as I can remember, I first heard of his name and his music in 1968 when I was in my last year in high school.  "Deep In My Heart", "Leave You", "Refrain" were among the top hits of that era.  And the name Joemari Chan became a byword either at home or school or anywhere else.  His songs were the favorites of the young and old; they were being spun over and over again in jukeboxes, radio stations, during jam sessions, nightclubbings, etc.  Indeed, this man and his music has become a legend.

It was a dream come true on my part, when I personally saw Joemari during his concert here in Cebu in 1992, and had the rare chance of having dinner with him and his family after that concert courtesy of a cousin who produced that particular concert.  I was like a little boy again when I came face to face with him with matching picture-taking and the signing of autograph.  It really made my night!

The second time I saw him was when we boarded the same plane for Manila. Then came the third time when I saw him and listened to him again as our featured artist during the Cebu Medical Society's Medical Congress in 1997.  Being a true fanatic of this man, I have all his albums for my personal collection, the latest of which is "Souvenirs" which includes "songs from the times of our lives that bring back wonderful and pleasant memories.  Dedicated to those who have been touched one way or the other by these same songs, as well as to those who, hopefully, will discover the beauty and simplicity of those classics for the first time."

I may not be a good singer, but I know a good one when I see or hear one.  And Mr. Jose Mari Chan epitomizes my kind of singer, my kind of songs, my kind of souvenirs...

By Alex S. Rodriguez, M.D., Batch '65

In the parlance of medicine, acute coronary syndrome is divided into 3 types according to the stage of the disease. First is angina pectoris which means pain in the chest. Angina pectoris means the patient has chest pain which will respond to oxygen and/or nitroglycerine. The next is myocardial injury which entails myocardial damage but the injury is reversible. The last one is myocardial infarction where there is an actual death of the heart muscle.

Signs and symptoms of acute coronary syndromes.  Most episodes of acute coronary syndromes occur at rest or with modest daily activity. Heavy physical exertion or mental stress is present in a minority of patients, perhaps 10-15%. Regular exercise appears to be protective and reduces the incidence of coronary events and sudden death precipitated exertion.

Occupational physical activity is the most protective exercise. Low activity is a risk factor for heart attack. A peak incidence from 6:00 a.m. to noon has been noted, usually in the first 2-3 hours after arising. A secondary peak occurs in the early evening hours, most notably in people who are working. A weekly peak on Monday mornings.

Chest  pain is the most common presentation of an acute coronary syndrome, occurring in approximately 70-80% of patients. The major clinical event is preceded by a chest pain prodrome in over 50% of patients. The classic angina or pain is dull, substernal discomfort described as a pressure or tightness.  It may radiate to the left arm or neck. It may be associated with shortness of breath, palpitations, sweating, nausea or vomiting. Sometimes, there is no specific chest pain or discomfort but the patient presents with sudden or decompensated ventricular failure (dyspnea or shortness of breath) or ventricular arrhythmias (palpitations). Less frequently as a discomfort or pain that is localized to the precordial area but has musculoskeletal, positional, or pleuritic features.

Treatment is most effective when the condition is prevented. Effective prevention will surely include sustained regular physical exercise. Theoretically, exercise will open up inactive tributaries in your heart, therefore it promotes more circulatory pathways to supply the heart. Diet and weight, of course, should be closely followed and maintained in the healthier level. Sex of course is supposed to be the best exercise if sustained but it is short lived and not because it is enjoyable. Smoking has to be avoided. Males are more prone to heart attack than premenopausal women due to the protective effect of estrogen.

The actual treatment for a  heart attack will include:  (1) Medical: Oxygen inhalation, nitroglycerine, and morphine sulfate. Thrombolytic is only effective if the occlusion is less than 6 or 10 hours old.  (2) Surgical: Open heart surgery or coronary artery bypass.

She was a young, vibrant and sweet girl. I had never really talked with her but we occasionally bumped into each other and accorded each other a friendly smile. She had her mother's angelic face and her father's innate personality.

It was December 1996.  Natalie Chan came home earlier than other Iliganons studying in Cebu. She was a Physical Therapy student at Cebu Doctors College.  Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jesus Chan (Batch '68), had a modest but decent store between the Boocs and the Bodiongans. It was situated on Gen. Aguinaldo st., in front of the old wet market, where the fire broke out.

Her parents and two young brothers were supposed to sleep at their grandparents' place but decided to sleep on the single room atop the store. Business was good that day. Mrs. Chan decided not to travel for fear of hold-ups which were rampant at that time (and still are). They had a sumptuous dinner with all family members present. It would be their last.

A cluster of noisy crowd had gathered in the middle of the drenched street.  After shoving my way through the crowd, a horrifying sight of charred substance greeted by eyes. It took me sometime to figure out what it was. Everyone was arguing if it was a human body or something else. I knew deep inside it was a dog. Probably their pet dog.  I never saw their bodies. But I heard that they all were found dead and embracing each other.

It was scorchingly warm as I walked my way home amid the wails of passing firetrucks, shocked store owners, and curious bystanders crowding each other in hushed alleys to take a peek at the charred remains of what used to be such a wholesome and happy family. I could only wish it never happened.
 

LCHS-AA ROSTER OF MEMBERS

Published hereunder is the list of registered members of the LCHS Alumni Association.  The Membership Committee is publishing the list to encourage those who are not yet listed to register now for membership.

Final Installment: T to Y
Tablason, Carolyn A.; Tablason, Gilbey B.; Tamondong, Roy Alexis D.; Tan, Alem Yap; Tan Angelie U.; Tan, Anna Liza; Tan, Calix H.; Tan, Christine L.; Tan, Corazon So; Tan, Cresencio (deceased); Tan, Ester A.; Tan, Evangeline Yee; Tan, Franklin; Tan, Gregorio; Tan, Helenita Sim; Tan, Jennifer; Tan Leonardo; Tan, Liezel Carolyn; Tan, Lilian Ang; Tan, Lydia Sy Chona; Tan, Marcela Uy; Tan, Marciano; Tan, Mary Jane L.; Tan, Meliza Meilin S.; Tan, Prudencio Duran; Tan, Ramil; Tan, Teresita Rodriguez; Tan, Vy Sio Hua; Taongan, Frisco; Taongan, Yuri; Tariga, Angelita Siao; Te, Abigail Louise D.; Te, Antonio Leo; Te, Bonifacio; Te, Jennifer N.; Te, Jonathan Mark; Te, Lim Ling; Te, Manuel S.; Te, Maximilian N.; Te, Rolando; Te, Virginia Handumon; Tecson, Delfino; Tejada, Nida Te; Tiu, Elneil Ian; Tiu, Gay Marie. Uy, Alfredo B.; Uy, Elsa Ang; Uy, Glicerio R.; Uy, Remedios A.; Uy, Ronnel I.; Uybalian, Ramon; Velasco, Segundina; Vera, Cristina L. de; Vy, Beng Hong; Wang, Dy Chiok Hian; Wang, Jane Dy; Wang, Joy Honeylet D.; Wang, Pearly Sy; Wee, Evelyn Sy; Wee, Remedios Tan; Wong, Jackson; Wong, Melania Handumon; Yamamoto, Siok Bin; Yap, Felicitas, Sonia Clemen; Yap, Lemuel C.; Ybañez, Mary Grace Lee; Yee, Dihn Michelle; Yee, Stephen B.; Yee, Wellington H.; Yip, Marietta Kwan; Yrastorza, Vivina Chiu; Yu, Alita Ong Young (deceased); Yu, Arlene K.; Yu, Gloria Lagrosas; Yu, Gregorio P.; Yu, Jonesmith; Yu, Liza A. Lee; Yu, Ramona Jo; Yu, Rodolfo; Yu, Sarah Jane; Yu, Sheryl; Yu, Virgilio; and Yu, Vivian K.