Internet Newsletter of the Alumni of Lanao Chung Hua School Vol. 4, No. 13, September 11, 2000, Iligan City, Philippines HOPIA GALORE Moon Festival Sept. 12 Come Sept. 12, Chinese communities worldwide will celebrate Moon Cake Festival, also referred to as Mid-Autumn Festival. The occasion is celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese lunar calendar. By tradition, family members will gather on this day to play moon cake dice, and indulge in fragrant moon cakes or hopia of many varieties under a full Autumn moon. The origin of the celebration dates back to the Yuan Dynasty in 13th century China. The Mongols, then ruler of China, was causing unrest among the local Chinese. Leaders from the ousted Sung Dynasty set out to coordinate their rebellion in secrecy. With the onset of the Moon Festival, they baked into each moon cake a message containing the plot of the attack for distribution to the people.  On the night of the Moon Festival, the people successfully attacked and overthrew the regime.  Since then moon cakes have become an integral part of the Mid-Autumn Festival.

EDITORIAL STAFF Charles O. Sy, Editor Henry L. Yu, Associate Editor Correspondents: Iligan - Johnny Chen, Teresita Racines, Vinson Ngo, Roger Suminguit, & Armi Leslie Te. Cebu - Igdono Caracho. Metro Manila - Marie Janiefer Lee. Canada - Peter Dy & Mikee Lee. Australia - Leonardo Tan. U.S.A. - Ernesto Yu, Alex Rodriguez, Aurora Tansiokhian, & Alfred Lai II. 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

The following is LCHS's calendar of activities for school year 2000-2001: Classes begin, June 5; election of class officers, June 19; Chinese writing contest, July 3; English declamation contest (Elementary), July 14; English oration (Secondary), July 22; Linggo ng Wika, Aug. 14-18; Chinese vocal solo contest, Sept. 9; Spelling contest, Sept. 11; English vocal solo contest, Sept. 23; CAT commissioning, Oct. 28; school anniversary, Nov. 12; Chinese week, Nov. 17; Chinese elementary story telling contest & Chinese secondary oration contest, Nov. 25; lantern contest, Dec. 20; group singing contest, Dec. 21; Christmas party, Dec. 22; Christmas vacation, Dec. 23;  classes resume, Jan. 3; English debate contest, Jan. 26; JS Prom, Feb. 12-16; recognition day, Mar. 24; commencement exercises, Mar. 25; distribution of cards, Mar. 26.

Lim-Yu nuptial in Cebu

Jason Robert G. Lim (Batch '89), son of Jose Lim Teck Hua (Batch '62) and Lorenza Go-Lim, got married to Sandra N. Yu, of Cebu City, last Sept. 3 at the Sacred Heart Parish Church, Cebu City.  Councilor Henry Dy and Ursulina Bernardo-Esteban, who stood as one of the six pairs of principal sponsors, purposely flew in from Iligan and Manila, respectively, for the occasion. Dinner reception was held at the Cebu Country Club attended by some LCHS alumni, like: Chu Tek Sy and wife Rosie Bian Bian Siao-Sy, the Lim brothers and sisters: Aida, Bienvenido and wife Norma Sy-Lim, Betty, and Felipe; Henry Yu, Mila Yu-Ong, Ramonita Siao, Gregoria Ang, among others.

OBITUARY
Rudy "Waya" Te passes away
By Teresita Racines (Batch '67)

Rudy "Waya" Te (Batch '55), aka: Te Lim Ling, passed away at the Philippine Heart Center, Manila, last Sept. 7.  He was 67 years old. Interment is scheduled on Sept. 12 in Iligan City.  He was president of the LCCH-AA in 1966-1968.  He is survived by his wife Lim Yee Ling, and children Ronald, Ramil, Ruth, Raquel, and Roy.

Can the Spectrum help me?
Sat, 05 Aug 2000 04:39:40 -0800

I commend you for a great job in bringing up the LCHS alumni newsletter. I know it's quite late, but still, I think you should know that the Spectrum is gaining great responses. I have watched it grow and I love the writers in it. I just want to ask if you accept contributions from LCHS students. I would want to harness my writing ability, but I don't know where to start. I won last year's intra-school essay writing contest. Yet I feel that I still lack something. And the hardest part is I don't know what that something is. I would want to discover it through writing. Thank you and God bless you and the Spectrum staff always! --Czarina Gebrelle K. Soriano, 3rd year high school, LCHS, Iligan, Philippines, insomniac_writer@goplay.com

(Editor's Note: LCHS students are welcome to participate in the Spectrum.  We in the staff will be pleased to help you develop your writing skill. Writing for the Spectrum should be a good start. Feel free to contribute your articles and we will help you in every way we can along the way.)

I am shocked to learn about the untimely passing away of Te "Waya" Lim Ling.  I last saw him in Iligan last May. It was a very happy occasion at the wedding of his eldest son at their residence. He specially sought me and introduced me to his new daughter-in-law who is a very pretty Malaysian and, like me, also a resident of Sydney. Now, my Very Worshipful Brother is gone.  It is indeed very sad. There is nothing I can do now but to lament his passing and pray to the Great Architect of the Universe that He may admit his servant into the celestial lodge. To his family, my deepest sympathy. --Leonardo Tan (Batch '66), Sydney, Australia, edtan@idx.com.au
 

More GAH Sidelights

Souvenir Items.  Souvenir items sold like moon cakes during the GAH, notably t-shirts with GAH logo, coffee mugs and commemorative key chains.  The items were made to order specially for the occasion through the efforts of Chiok Hian Wang and Dy Sio Te. The GAH Souvenir Program, too, was a hit.  Many alumni were seen ordering additional copies of the 180-page glossy magazine to send to their brothers and sisters abroad.

Cool Under Pressure.  Amid the GAH frenzy, Suniel Lim, GAH top honcho, proved his true mettle as a leader. Despite the tensions and problems cropping up at the spur of the moment, he remained composed, cheerful, and on top of the situation all throughout the three days of the GAH.  A genuine case of "cool under pressure."  Touché, Mr. Cool Cat!

Generous Alumni.  The GAH also brought out other sterling qualities of our alumni. Several alumni with generous hearts came forward during the festivities with cash donations for the LCHS-AA in support of the Scholarship Fund.  They were Antonio Leo Te, Ernesto Yu, Roderick Ngo, and Tina Bernardo.  The lechons, too, that filled the banquet tables during the three days of the GAH were compliments of alumni Benjohnson Siao, Charles Ang, and Victorino Tan.  There were also many other concerned alumni who volunteered to shoulder the registration fees of their batch mates.

What Spectrum?  Spectrum staffer Ernesto Yu, who spoke before a gathering of LCHS high school students on the first day of the GAH, was almost knocked off his seat when he discovered that majority of LCHS students never heard of the Spectrum.  During his dialogue with the students, when he asked if they ever read the Spectrum, only a pitiful few raised their hands.

Summit Meeting.  The LCHS-AA & Spectrum luncheon last Aug. 3 saw alumni top guns showing up in full force for their first summit meeting with Spectrum staff.  The LCHS-AA officers who attended were Toto Samson, Rodolfo Yu, Dy Sio Te, Juanita Jo, Vy Beng Hong, Chiok Hian Dy Wang, Calix Tan, Luis Kho, Sandy Chua, Christopher Chua, and Suniel Lim.  Representing the Spectrum staff were Charles O. Sy, Ernie Yu, Henry Yu, Marie Janiefer Lee, Terry Racines, Johnny Chen, Peter Dy, Igdono Caracho, Mike Lee, Vinson Ngo, and Roger Suminguit.  Also in attendance were the Spectrum contributors and supporters: Alfredo Lai, Janet Lee Tan, Jane Dale Racines, Marie Josiefel Ello, Marie Joan Quimbo, Emelita Lee, Evelyn Yu Go, Rene Tio, Edwin Co, Jose Sam Go, Gloricita Racines Kinnan, and Roderick Ngo.

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

It's devastatingly profound to land back to Earth when you were already scrambling in psychedelic high around the moon, toying with the twinkling charm of the stars and grinding rainbows out of the evening skies.  It's numbingly tantalizing to savor a brand of heaven that easily vaporizes a day's dose of awful feelings.  A paradise you frequented to scan for images and relics in a bundle of reveries packaged during the wonder years.

The just concluded LCHS Reunion is truly a refreshing delight to rewind and replay recycled memories.  For one, the physical attributes of all the supporting cast have been dramatically modified by the inescapable mechanics of growing grey, the going-down-the-hill phase (sorry for our truth, comrades).  Nonetheless, the camaraderie, fraternity and sorority of the years gone by have managed to take roots and triumphed over the tests of time: The hugs and handshakes were unmistakably tighter and sincere; the laughters were more potent and infectious; the hi and hello were aired with a gleeful resonance that primed the soul to smile ... and love still dangled in everyone's eyes like frozen dewdrops excitedly anticipating the chance to thaw with a feathery kiss from the sun.

Where am I heading with all these poetic nonsense, random notes that have been bouncing like ping pong balls in my organ of intelligence which is actually an aggregate of mental mesh that crowns every worthwhile yesterday as brain candies to sweeten sour mornings and as fascinating souvenirs to bless?  I'm aiming to shed off all the signs and symptoms of a Post Reunion Syndrome through my version of "reverse psychology" -- I tell you, you feel it, it's yours!  This self-made clinical entity inspires you to lavish yourself with all the healing magic and social dazzles of the recent grand affair, and breathe each day in suspended animation that excites till all your dreams are about friends and scenes you care so much not to forget. Ah, the positive spin and aftershock of being a live, jivving participant of the LCHS Grand Alumni Homecoming.  The honest question that I keep asking myself now: When can I be normal again?

Sway in my music, friend.  Enjoy the bug. It is yours to keep.  Perhaps by doing so, you can come up with an updated, personal edition of reverse psychology.

Spread the joy.

By Marie Janiefer Q. Lee, Batch '87

During my high school days we would always tease a lot of pairs who we thought would end up together in the end. Those pairs who seemed so perfect for each other. But when each one separated ways in college we all lost track of what happened to the "special relationship" that we thought existed between them.

That "special relationship" is what we now call "mutual understanding." Now it's an accepted situation when two people are so called "M.U." or they have a mutual-understanding. That's why this term now exists and is being loosely used by so many people. It's usually an MU when neither the boy nor the girl would accept and admit that they "love" each other, which was common during my time.   Back then it was considered taboo to even think of the idea of having a boyfriend or a girlfriend.  So the easiest way to avoid being labeled as such was to simply say "we're just friends," much like what movie stars say in public when questioned about their personal relations. I know a lot of pairs settled in an MU relationship, both not knowing where things would lead. Though both were silently hoping and expecting that somehow somewhere they would end up together.

During the last GAH, it was fun to look at how different pairs tried to reconnect with each other's lives. I know that each person was just holding back and would have asked questions like: How's your life? Why didn't we end up together?  How did we lose each other? Do you still remember how you felt for me? And a lot more. The eyes may be able to ask these questions but the tongue knows that it shouldn't.  So the questions would just come out as "uy, kumusta na man ka?" "pila na imong anak?" "naa imong asawa/bana?"

For the on-lookers it was kilig to watch each pair trying very hard to maintain a façade that would hopefully not reveal anything; but for the pair, I know it must be really difficult.  For those who are still single right now, maybe meeting that special person once again is fate's way of telling you that "here's your second chance, don't let this pass you by again." But for those who are already happily "attached," then maybe it was fate's way of saying: "Look, that's the one that got away."

Now that the GAH is over, I'm just wondering whether those who lost their love decades ago found it again or if they lost it again for the second time.  For those who didn't make it this time, I'm sure there was somebody who was eagerly looking and waiting for you to show up.  So hopefully you'll make it to the next GAH five years from now.

By Leonardo "Eddie" Tan, Batch '66

For the past two issues, I volunteered to clear this space for the more important and interesting coverage of our Grand Alumni Homecoming. And I would like to congratulate all the writers -- from our tireless editor and the staff to our contributors, like my batch mate Emma Yap Matiao and Remedios Tan Wee (who is also my batch mate in Chinese class) -- for bringing to us stories of that big event in so many different angles and perspectives. While some writers are still in search of those exact words to describe the LCHS magical event of the millennium, the Spectrum brought us the next best thing:  The many GAH pictures posted by the Spectrum on the LCHS web site were really the images that brought me some tears. Tears that were for the missed opportunity to be happy once more. Tears of longing for my batch mates, old friends and school mates, and the first meeting of the staff of this newsletter. My life will go on without the benefit of the euphoric experiences of the 3 magical days of August of 2000. But for those who missed the first Grand Alumni Homecoming, there is always another chance the second time around. And it will be coming in less than five years from now. Will I miss it again?  No way! Just like love, it could be lovelier the second time around!

Let us give credit to the organizers -- from the Chairman to the last unsung hero -- who made the GAH almost a flawless flow of continued enjoyable activities for 3 days. Thanks to their more than a year of great sacrifices in the preparations, the biggest event ever produced by the LCHS Alumni Association came to a resounding success, one that even surpassed their imagination and goal. What was thought to be 200 registered alumni as target proved to be a prediction almost half off the mark, with a surplus fund raised beyond their wildest dreams. And most of all, everyone who came had the greatest fun of his or her life! And the one thousand five hundred pesos they shelled out for the registration fee came back to them in a thousand folds of joy.

Using the same successful formula, let us go on forward dreaming and planning the second GAH. We may make some innovations here and there, but let us stick to one basic winning structure. Keep it SIMPLE.  After all, too many activities would only complicate what is already a very limited opportunity to meet so many people in so short a span of 3 days.

When I was back home in Iligan two months before the GAH, I had the opportunity of visiting the present LCHS campus. I went to the old gym and contemplated for a while. I imagined that it would be the main venue of the greatest gathering of the alumni. And I had a sad thought about the dilapidated condition of the transplanted wooden structure from the old campus at Roosevelt Extension. But my sadness was somewhat alleviated by an architect's impression of a new structure that will rise on that very site in the form of a giant billboard at one of its corner. Wouldn't it be great that during the 2nd Grand Alumni Homecoming, the marvelous design of alumni architect Edmund Samson would become a reality, where we all would enjoy the 3 days from the first Barrio Fiesta to the final Gala Night! All the activities right in our own LCHS campus!

Let this be our new challenge! Let us, all LCHSians, make this building of a new gym as our common dream. Not because we need it for our grand homecomings but as our lasting gift to our alma mater in order to give our new generations of LCHSians a safer and better place for them to study and play. And above all, let us demonstrate once more that we LCHSians are not only dreamers but also builders as well.

Meanwhile, I am starting my countdown. It is only 246 weeks left before the 2nd GAH! By that time, the Philippines will have a new president. And Iligan City could have a city mayor who is an alumnus. And those who are now graduating in LCHS elementary grades will be our latest batch of alumni who will be having their first reunion with us!

In the meantime, may I share the spirit of Sydney 2000 Olympic with you all, which will come our way in less than a week's time! However, in my scoreboard, the GAH Committee has already won the first Gold Medal!

By Aurora H. Tansiokhian, M.D., Batch '58

My sister Santing (Santas, Siok Eng) and I had a great time reading the GAH issue (Aug. 14, 2000).  We are so proud of LCHS and the quality of alumni it has produced!

We enjoyed viewing the photo gallery on the LCHS web site.  Among others, we were able to recognize the well-preserved Sio Eng Ching and the ever young Bernardos:  Martina (Tina, Gonge Ko),  Perla (Bebe, Anchia) and Ursulina (Enga).  Luis Kho (Gong Gia), Alexander (Sandy) Chua, Sio Te Dy (Ulay), Manuel (Bandoy) Sy, Sir Mr. Fuertes, Shek Tong (Tonga) Dy, and Dodong Jo have matured well.  Care to share your secrets?

The picture of Toto Samson brought back childhood memories when we were neighbors in Iligan. To, where is your sister Auring?  I remember their charming mother, Khe Wai So.  Toto reminds me of his father.  Mind you, that was more than 50 years ago!

I remember Leoncia Sy and Elsa Ang as little girls sitting in the front seats in Chinese class.  Nice to see them as grown-ups!  Guat Son So and I were older and were in the back seats.  Po Hua Dy also sat in front of us.

The Spectrum staff looked very distinguished.  The women are gorgeous!  I enjoyed reading "The Homecoming in Review" by Charles Sy.  A truly well deserved award in journalism.

Kudos to the nine recognized outstanding alumni.  It is nice to see the achievements of those I know highlighted from classmate Guardson, Spectrum staffers Charley and Ernie, to my brother Calix (proud of you!).

BUT ...

Looking at the picture of the awardees, I couldn't help but be struck by the all boys club flavor of it.  The ad says, " We've (women) come a long way Baby".  But you couldn't tell from this picture of XY chromosome honorees.  Why the lack of Estrogen?

It is hard to believe that there are no women who have achieved enough to be spotlighted.  A cynic might suggest that this is just reflective of a society that believes that women should be kept barefoot and pregnant and in the shadow of men.  But perhaps, a more likely explanation is that many women chose not to highlight their accomplishments, forever thinking they are not good enough.

Whatever the reasons, I hope that during our next reunion, the roll call of distinguished alumni would include some card-carrying members of the female species as reflective of the progressive world (I hope) we live in.

Till next time.

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

"One day in your life, you'll remember a place,
someone touches your face …"

The First LCHS Grand Alumni Homecoming is now but a page torn from the calendar, yet the memories still haunt us till this very minute, a concrete proof that we really have ourselves glued to the funfare, enjoying to the max, no matter how fleeting it was.

The dinner hosted by Charles "Amboy" Ang was a gourmet's delight. Likewise with the food served during the Spectrum Luncheon, Barrio fiesta, the Luncheon at Timoga, and  the Grand Ball. Credit goes to the indefatigable Dy Sio Te for this superb foodfest, a smorgasbord showcasing Iligan's best. The Sunday luncheon, tendered by Arturo "Toto" Samson, with matching sentimental old songs as background music, was kilig to the taste buds. These and many other significant occasions made us teary eyed when we finally had to say “goodbye, I hate to see you go, but have a good time.”

Truly, our stay in Iligan for the homecoming season was too short for us to be able to really mingle with our classmates and friends, reliving and renewing friendships. Never in my life have I led a very hectic schedule. Indeed, there was too little time to sit down and share life's rainbows and storms, to just stop and talk a while, to gather updates as to who's who, of what has become of Teodora, Paciano, and Saturnina. I simply couldn't  imagine seeing and meeting again some 350 people in a span of three solid days of non-stop fun and frolic, the deafening ohs and ahs, the seemingly endless jubilation, of rewinding the memories of those who held dear to us, the places we've been to, and the events that took place once upon a time when we were all students of the legendary Lanao Chinese High School.

As the song goes, "Regrets, I had a few, but then again too few to mention. I did what I had to do, and saw it through without exemption."  Looking back, I certainly have some few regrets, among which are: I should have sat down with former teachers longer, I should have spent more time with former classmates or with the other Henry's that LCHS ever produced, like: Henry Dy, Henry Siao, Henry Go, Henry Lagrosas, Henry Lim, etc., I should have done this and that, gone with all the significant others, acquainted myself with some new faces, they who were not yet born at the time of our popularity. I know I have done it somehow, but then again, it was just a little of everything. It was not enough. I didn't even have the chance to meet the like-father-like-son children or the cute grandchildren of my classmates.

GIVE ME FIVE -- 5 Henry's who attended the GAH. (l-r): Lagrosas, Yu, Siao, Dy, & Go

The last day of the Grand Alumni Homecoming brought back the same excruciating pain that I experienced thirty-one years ago when we parted ways. All of a sudden, I remember those meaningful songs that brought out the sentimentalist in me and which made me cry, such as: "It Hurts To Say Goodbye", "Softly As I leave You", "Have A Good Time", "Sealed With A Kiss", "Am I That Easy To Forget", "May The Good Lord Bless and Keep You", and, yes, our Graduation Song which we sang on April 11, l969.  Oh, the pain of parting, knowing that from then on we would no longer be together in one classroom, in one school, in the constant company of our dear classmates and friends whom we have been with since we were kids, having established a certain kind of special bonding. Yes, "the trouble with hello is goodbye." And it is never easy to say goodbye. At the back of my mind, how I really wished I was Superman with the power to hold back the hands of time, to have more happy times together, and stay longer in a place where you and I have been once upon a time playing, dancing, and singing endlessly the refrains of our favorite songs.

Life has taught us that "Nothing is permanent in this world except change" and that "Time heals all wounds." With that, we wake up, we come back to our senses, and accept the painful reality that somehow "Some Good Things Never Last." As there is a beginning, so there also must have an end. Well, we just cannot have everything. We only have one body, one soul, and One Moment In Time to do all these things. But it was all worth the loving while the memories last. Better short than never. What's important was we enjoyed each single moment of our togetherness, making the most out of those precious and few moments that we have shared, with the hope that someday, somewhere over the rainbow, we will be together again soon, to the tune of "one day in your life, you'll remember a place, someone touches your face." And that, I believe, is enough reason to look forward to, for another Grand Alumni Homecoming, lovelier the second time around.
 

A few questions to live by
If you take an Asian person and spin him around several times, does he become disoriented?
Why do they sterilize the needle for lethal injections?
Why are they called apartments when they are all stuck together?
If con is the opposite of pro, is Congress the opposite of progress?
If flying is so safe, why do they call the airport terminal? --Contributed by Larry Sy, Burham, Ill., U.S.A., LVS2000@aol.com

At any rate, it has been roughly 30 years since I have been in Iligan. I can't believe how Iligan has matured all through these years. It is so alive and vibrant. There are now so many traffic lights and people are always in a hurry, just like in any big cities. A few minutes ago, someone asked me where's the nearest comfort room. Boy, oh boy, she was really, really on the go.

The only thing that has not changed in Iligan the last 30 years are my friends. The last few days that I've been here, they made my life vibrate like an enchanting fairy tale: Genuine laughs, hugging hellos, party here and there, lunch invitation with a guarantee that I don't have to wash dishes afterward. Everyone's warmth, hospitality, sincerity and cheers make me feel loved, so cared for, so wanted, especially by those whom I still owe lunch money in grade school. Actually, I have to shake myself off from this dream. This special treatment alone is worth the 22 flying hours that I have to endure to be with you today. I'm glad to be back home. I'm happy to be given the privilege to address the whole gang and honored to show off the skill that I learned and acquired in bringing back to life safely those of you out there who are already sleeping and snoring.

Today is more than a reunion of old minds. It is a revival of friendship that has been put on hold for sometime. It is an opportunity where we can look back, retrace, feel and laugh about the struggles and pain, the victories, the fascinating moments that we all shared and experienced in growing up to be what we are today. This is proof that there is no such thing as a beautiful yesterday if you don't take the occasion to share it again with the very people, the very supporting cast who made that into a bundle of sweet memories. I didn't realize how much I missed everybody until this week. Indeed, no man is an island. I just hope that this reunion will linger in everyone's mind and will remind everyone that true friendship will find ways to touch each other, whether we live in different time zones, different continents and whether we are thousands of miles/kilometers apart. Anywhere we go, whatever we do, whoever we deal with, we carry along the endearing principles, philosophies and the name of LCHS with us. As we promised when we graduated, many moons ago for most of us, we will promote and preserve our school's image and pride by setting good examples and be good citizens ourselves. Actually, this is a promise that all of us alumni should embrace and remember to fulfill. It is one special gift that we can easily give back to our school. Of course, to those of us who have enough resources to share, let's help out by sharing some of our good fortune to our Alumni Association. The Association is in need of financial booster to be able to continue in its many projects.

My inspirational talk centers on my favorite motto in life: Live for the moment. A philosopher once said: Life is a reason to die. In exchange for the chance to experience life, to live and taste the bounties of this universe, we submit ourselves to the choking commandment that excuses no one, neither rich nor poor, neither happy or sad soul. Our breathing days are numbered. Whether you are at the peak of enjoying the blooming and loveliest days of spring or you are at the lowest point of trying to survive, you give up every earthly possessions that you have, every joy and laughter, every ache and pain, when your time clock comes to an end. No ifs, no buts, no wait a minute, no postponement. Death is a consequence of living. The questions are: Did you take the time to tell your loved ones how their shower of love means to you? Have you made peace with people who begged for your forgiveness? Did you offer enough comforting words to ease a dear friend’s emotional wound and save your friend from lingering too long in the dump? Have you kissed the Power above for all the small miracles in your life? We ought to live for the moment. Take every waking hour as our lucky break because every night that we turn off the light, our eyes may never open to witness the same morning again. Your coming to this reunion is a testament of your desire to live for the moment. A desire to touch and hug someone from your distant past. A chance to hand-deliver those unspoken gratitude and cheers, to hum the old familiar tunes and to revive the joy of idle talks while time is still in our hands. Sadly, a good number of alumni have since died. I don't have to mention names. You just need to look around to know who are missing and who would have loved to be counted in this reunion if they were alive. To all of you out there somewhere, this reunion is also a celebration in your memory. I'm pretty sure you are all happy out there but I'd give up a few hours of happiness for the chance one more time to feel your warmth, touch your hands, see the excitement and love in your faces, smell your tenderness and catch a glimpse of your smile. Just one more time. It's a shame that we have to bring you back with us using the old traces of the past.

I take this opportunity to thank all the teachers who took the pain in educating us, whose advice and guidance molded us into the very people we are today, whose patience and dedication prepared us for the life ahead. To my idols and heroes: Bonnie Dy, Chua Tek An, Calixto Tan, Rufino Booc, Baby Palang, Luis Kho, Tonga Dy. They are all buddies of my other big hero, the late Cowa Cresing (Uncle Cresencio Tan). Guys, I used to tag along my Cowa during badminton games and social events and hear all your wonderful men stories. You treated me as if I was a younger version of you all and I admired you for that. You made me a star to reach that was so high that it challenged me to aim high. I even aimed at the moon because if I miss I'm still among the stars. Of course, the rest is history. I realized that in order to be as tall as Bonnie Dy, I need more than vitamins and miracle rice in my diet. I'd like also to acknowledge the other charming people in my life. Those who taught my heart how to smile sweetly, how to make rainbow out of the rain, to really feel the lyrics in every song that I learned to sing and make me fly without wings. I want to tell you that sometimes in your absence there was loveliness without love.

I invited my son Chris to come with me on this trip. "Dad," he said, "I know it would be a blast to see your old school, teachers and friends. But I can't imagine taking a 22-hour airplane torture just to have a vacation trip." I was stunned by that statement. I was not surprised by his reaction. I was surprised why I didn't feel this trip didn't feel that way to me. I found an answer: Because I am not here in Iligan to take a vacation. I'm here in Iligan to come home.

I'd like to quote lines from my Aussie buddy Loloy Tan's reunion poem:  As we know not when, nor where, nor how shall our path in the future take/ Once again, let us kiss and hug each other after so many years for old time’s sake.

Have a good one. Enjoy the day. Whatever is left ...

The First GAH was an extraordinary reunion for all LCHS alumni. The excitement of seeing once again our classmates, schoolmates and friends was in the air starting on the first night of the GAH. That, I think, is the essence of the affair.

Come 2005, I wish that those in our Batch of '66 who did not make it last Aug. 3-5, will make it in the 2nd GAH. Like all my other batch mates, I want these classmates of ours to be present in the next GAH: Leonardo Tan, Salvador Booc, Jaime Chan, Lilia Chin, Lina Chiu, Janne Co, Betty Dy Pico, Deborah Debalucos, Kim Huat Debalucos, Ruben Lee, Bienvenido Lim, Wilson Lim, Lolicita Samson, Marcelino Siao, Rudolfo Soy, Lorna Sy, Corazon Tan, Pablito Tan, Florfina Teh, Juanito Tiu, Josefa Wong, Johnson Yap and Perla Yu.

Won't it be terrific that once again we of Batch '66 can all be together again (even for just 3 days) and we can have another group picture taken after 39 years since we departed from our Alma Mater? I am really looking forward to that day.  My only disappointment in that affair was not seeing our former Chinese and English teachers. Maybe by 2005, teachers and students will be together again. And that will be much more fun. 

At 39-1/2, here I am sitting in front of my PC, reminiscing the different chapters that brought the story of my life. No, I'm not about to write a novel of my ancient history, but rather what I had learned about the realities of life and how to live with it.

Truth hurts sometimes; that's why people don't want to admit it -- they deny its existence, cover it up and pretend that everything is OK even if it's not. It can make a person isolate herself from the real world. But the fact is you cannot run away from the truth, whether you like it or not.

Talking about life in retrospect, I deeply regretted marrying young. I was only 20 years old, 11 months, and 17 days when I got married; just graduated from nursing school and passed the Philippine nursing board exam in less than a year. I had not enjoyed the life of being a single professional, earning my own income, being on my own like what I am now, and achieved my personal goals in life. I took nursing primarily because I wanted to come and work in the U.S.A. I was young and too naive then to ignore the "warning signs" of our big chemistry imbalance, that I would never fit into his masterpiece. I was too vulnerable to the twists and turns of marriage life. It takes TWO to travel on the long and winding road.

It was a very bitter chapter of my life and I was really devastated!  I've always dreamed of being happily married to a good man, be a good wife and mother to our children, have our own home, a family that go to church together and do things together. It turned out to be a shattered dream.

"What should I do now? Where should I begin? How will I raise my daughter alone? What's there for us?" I was scared and angry. It wasn't easy. I cried many times. But time heals every wound. Although it may leave a faded scar in my memory forever, it's no longer a piercing thorn. I just woke up one day and decided I must let go of the past and carry on with my life. There's nothing I can do with the past, but there's something I can do about today and that is: Live today and do my best for the remainder part of my life here on Earth -- for me and my daughter, Karen. Tomorrow is a mystery.  No one knows what it may bring. There are many, many things you can do with your life, and sometimes "substitution" or "compensation" is the way to go. If you can't have your first choice then go to the next choice, consider other options available for your best benefit.

The reality about life is it doesn't stop when you fail, you must face it and go on. Give yourself some time to recuperate, and don't be hard on yourself. You don't have to do it all alone, just look up and call His name -- Jesus is listening! There is a God who loves you and accepts you just the way you are. A God who is willing to help you. And that's how I survived. That's life.