Internet Newsletter of the Alumni of Lanao Chung Hua School Vol. 3, No. 14, September 20, 1999, Iligan City, Philippines Pedro Campugan, 72, is dead By Roger Suminguit  (Batch '73) Another sad news has hit the LCHS community. Pedro Campugan, 72, former LCHS teacher, is dead. The Spectrum learned about this in the morning of Sept. 18, 1999, as the sad news struck LCHS alumni in Iligan, many of whom reacted in shock and disbelief. Campugan was the Grade V teacher of LCHS for many years. He taught at LCHS from 1954 to 1963. He was also coach of the LCHS basketball team. His remains lie in state at his residence in Tambo, Iligan City. The officers of the LCHS-AA have been informed of his death. Burial date has yet to be announced. His presence will be missed by many of his students whom he had hoped to meet again at the grand alumni homecoming set on Aug. 3-5, 2000. Let us pray for the eternal repose of his soul.  Iligan fiesta Sept. 29 Iligan City comes alive once more with a flurry of fanfare and festivities marking the feast day of its patron saint, Señor San Miguel, on Sept. 29.  The city government, hand in hand with schools and socio-civic organizations, has lined up a series of cultural programs, agro-industrial fair, and sports fests to highlight the fiesta celebration. Colorful arches also adorn major streets in the city this year as part of the arch decor contest dubbed "Indigay sa Arko '99." As in every fiesta celebration, the feria has come to town offering an array of rides and carnival entertainment fare. The festivities culminate with the annual solemn procession and street dancing called "Wara-wara sa Kadalanan."

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 45 WEEKS to Grand Homecoming

Former LCHS teacher, Jessita Leonar, is now a resident of Swan Hills, Alberta, Canada. She taught Science and Pilipino at LCHS in 1984-85, and was teacher in charge of Grade IV. She is currently a data entry clerk at Bovar Waste Management, the largest incineration plant in North America. She is married to Charles S. Williams, project engineer of the same company. Jessita hails from Bacolod, Lanao del Norte. She finished B.S. Education at the Iligan Capitol College. In her e-mail to the Spectrum, she wrote: "I have a co-teacher at LCHS named Linda Sidlao. Is she still there?  If she is, please say hi to her for me, okey?"

Uy-Salvador nuptial on Oct. 7

Winthrop Martin "Troy" Uy, son of Martin Uy and Aida Lim-Uy (Batch '61), will exchange marital vows with Sheila Salvador, on Oct. 9, 1999 at 4:00 p.m., at the Sacred Heart Church in Cebu City. Reception will be at 7:30 p.m., at the grand ballroom of the Cebu City Waterfront Hotel. The bride is the daughter of Wilfredo and Virginia Salvador.

Former LCHS teacher
Tue, 7 Sep 1999 08:30:21 -0600

My wife recently met former LCHS teacher Jessita Leonar and notified her about our grand school reunion next year. She is very interested. She can be reached at this address: Box 784, Swan Hills, Alberta TOG2CO, Canada  (e-mail address:  jessi_williams@bovar.com).  Please also extend our deepest sympathy to Josefina "Panga" Dy and her family for the passing away of her husband, Johnson Salvador Dy.

Jesus and Melania Dy, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Jesus.Dy@reg.gov.ab.ca

My compliments to you for producing the Spectrum newsletter. It's amazing that you're able to sustain this undertaking for two years. It's not always that one comes around with a project like this on the Internet. Neither is it easy by any measure. This is a rare feat. It must take the staff enormous efforts to pull off such a feat. You guys have my congratulations!

Liv Annette Moen, Bergen, Norway, livanmo@statoil.com

Alumni in non-traditional ventures

Need to tone up your tired muscles? Try working out at Flex and Tone Fitness Center along Aguinaldo St., Iligan City. Owned by Henry and Rita Ang, the gym features state-of-the-art exercise gadgets that work wonders for your physique. And if you need to undergo some medical tests, there is Micro Diagnostic Center of Charles Ang (Batch '71). Located at Pala-o, the center is equipped with high-tech diagnostic equipment. And if you wish to enhance your health further, check out with Alfred Lai, husband of Elita Ong Lai (Batch '62). Fred is promoting a health product that is making waves all over the country, Tahitian Noni Juice. This potion can keep one in the pink of health, he swears. In Davao, we have Joel Ngo (Batch '77), where he is now a resident together with his wife and two kids. Joel manages a firm dealing in used glass bottles and scrap metal. Reynaldo "Bonton" Suminguit (Batch '72), now an engineer, manages their family glass business, Tan Lam Glass Palace, along Quezon Ave. Ext. During his LCHS days, Bonton was a popular campus personality who excelled in acrobatics. Currently running a flourishing pawnshop business is Norma Siao, wife of Henry Siao (Batch '57). Her shop is called Lifestyle Jewelry & Pawnshop along Quezon Avenue. It has expanded with branches at Mercado and Aguinaldo streets. In Cebu, a prominent source of the city's popular danggit is the Pacific Isles Trading owned by Dy Shek Tong, better known as Tonga (Batch '57). His shop, located at Tabo-an, is famous for its danggit, pusit and other dried fish products ideal for pasalubong.

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

It's the God's honest truth, Inspector Roger Suminguit propelled my emotion molecules into a whirlwind, thrusting energy-perking surge through my spine, tendons and flesh. His feature on Fidel Fuertes, complete with an authentic snapshot of THE man who has preserved his unusually potent smile in a seemingly healthy exterior, made me romanticize the past - a blast of early '60s enchanting and occasionally dreadful mornings in LCHS classrooms. Regrettably, Commander Fidel shattered my ego for failing to mention in his list of favored infantry men the wonder boy in his grade six history class whom he maneuvered out of becoming a hopeless outcast. As my former advisor, sir, let me tease your memory: Do you recall the short kid (no genetic link with the Pygmies in the Mountain Province) who committed the greatest mistake ever documented in the former Roosevelt Extension by insisting that it was Andres Bonifacio who sliced and shredded Magellan into fertilizer chunks? and, does the grave error of matching Dr. Jose Rizal with the Italian song "O Sol La Mio" ring a bell? That midget with a mental mess (transplanted in Buffalo for 24 years, surrounded by six-footers) has become an expert practitioner in the science of silencing nerves and monitored coma doing surgery, without the old habit of guessing games (bless the patients, Lord!). Likewise, that joker, who harbors ill-feelings until now for not being allowed to deliver the valedictory address during his graduation rite due to that record-shattering Mactan boo-boo, is now an accomplished dispenser of one-liners: his frequent screw up with the punch lines is a joke in itself.

Pink Panther Roger's previous tracing of Pedro Campugan layered an epic dimension to my venture into the wonderfully charming fragments of yesteryears, a symphony for aging senses. Pete's legendary coolness and innate genius were always flashed in the basketball court. As a coach, he nurtured the natural assets of his Dirty Dozen and drilled us in the concepts that we have to dribble and slam dunk as a cohesive unit; that dirty tricks, like leg blocks, should never be countered with head butts; that any loose buaya who makes an ass of himself and gives away the game would  be leased drooling on the sideline ... and that I, who miraculously got drafted in the varsity basketball roster instead of the Chinese Checker team, should synchronize my timing in distributing water bottles and dry towels to our sweat-dripping gladiators. I credit him for instilling in us the endearing principles of true sportsmanship. Until our star player bruised a knee from an intentional elbow greeting, Mr. C, skin tone drastically transformed from tan brown to fiery red, threw another virtue out of the window,  read to us the Riot Act and declared war!

Mr. Tracer, how about a search and interview mission on the stellar LCHS majorettes of the golden era, the starlets of my pipe dreams? For starter, dig the beauty who formerly resides near your original store address. Once you corner this earthly candle in the dark, kindly relay, without stuttering, this live message, "Ernie thanks you for molding him into a professional daydreamer." Roger.

By Leonardo "Eddie" Tan, Batch '66

The official title of Freemason is "Free and Accepted Mason." It denotes that a member joins the fraternity with his own freewill and is accepted as a mason. The fraternity does not invite membership to its lodge. Once a man is invited, it would no longer be on his own freewill and that defeats the meaning of the organization.

Why did this universal fraternity evolve from masonic guilds? Why was it attractive for some men to join and be accepted as a mason?  Why not create an entirely new organization from scratch?

The masonic guilds were not just a simple group of tradesmen with special skills. The guilds could also be considered as one of the forerunners of trade or labor unions of today. Members were taught the existence of God. They were obligated to protect the others and their families especially their womenfolks; to be charitable to the widows and orphans of a departed mason, among other things. These were enshrined in a simple ceremony during the initiation and the succeeding steps to be an active participant in the guild. With the existence of such traditions and basic structures for a well meaning charitable guild, what it needed were a few modifications and it became the worldwide fraternity that it is today. From operative masonry it became a speculative one.

Instead of building temples and cathedrals, Freemasonry became a movement for moral righteousness which equates the human body as a temple where the human spirit dwells temporarily in this mortal world. If the buildings the masons build should have beauty, strength and stability, then a freemason must live a life with the same attributes but in a greater moral sense.

The working tools of a mason such as trowel, chisel, square, level and many more have a new and more profound meaning in the fraternity. Let us take the simple "plumb-line" as an example.  It has become an emblem of integrity and uprightness, which teaches a freemason to walk justly and uprightly before God and man, turning neither to the right nor to the left from the strict path of virtue. As the operative mason erects his temporal building with strict observance of the plumb-line, which will not permit him to deviate one hair's breadth to the right or to the left, so the freemason is guided by the unerring principles of right and truth, inculcated in the symbolical teachings of the same implement, is steadfast in the pursuit of truth, neither bending beneath the frowns of adversary nor yielding to the seductions of prosperity.

Although, Freemasonry has become a moral science taught through the masonic degrees and its number one requirement is one's belief in the existence of God, yet it should not be considered a religion as the fraternity does not promise salvation of one's soul. A lodge meeting should start and end with a prayer and it could not be done otherwise. No lodge meeting should be held on a Sunday as it is a day of rest and most of all a day dedicated to worship God. So it could be said that Freemasonry is an organization of religious men but is not a religion. So how do Freemasons as a group say their prayer?

God is referred generically as Great Architect of the Universe or Supreme Grandmaster. But in each individual heart and mind, God could be the Christian God, or God of Islam to one seated next, or Buddha to the next brother. Freemasons are taught to be faithful and true to their own individual religion and at the same time have tolerance to the others' belief in God. To preserve peace and harmony among the brethren, two things are forbidden to be discussed inside the lodge. They are politics and religions.

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

April 11, 1978 was the day I left Cebu Institute of Medicine (CIM) as a medical graduate.  It was the academe where I spent years of cerebral calisthenics, seemingly desperate races with time, burning countless midnight candles, and a lot of physical and mental fatigues to become the doctor that I have always wanted to be. It is also the medical school where fellow LCHS alumni obtained their M.D. diploma, among them: Anita Co, Francisco Co, Vivina Chiu-Yrastorza, Greg Dy, Johnson Dy, Ernesto Yu, Alex Rodriguez, Leopoldo Tan, Alice Ngo-Militante, Edwin Lino Go, Felisa Khu-Yu, Jane Dy-Wang, Ritky Dy, Belinda Cu-Lim, etc.

Today, after 2l years, I'm back at CIM, not as a medical student but as an instructor, ready to mold future doctors, joining the faculty staff of the Department of Physiology. I have been dropping by CIM every now and then since my graduation, but it is only now that I get the chance to savor the feelings of true nostalgia as I spend more regular time during class hours. Looking at my students certainly brings back memories of my own time when I was a medical student trying hard to reach that dream of becoming an M.D. just like my brother Ernie.

Practically, the same old building, the same arm chairs we used to sit either during classes or bimonthly exams at the social hall, the same laboratory tables, bulletin boards, amphitheater, ceiling fans, and every nook and cranny of CIM where lots of memories were created somewhere in time. Deep within I long for that epoch when I was the young and the restless, the struggling medical student who used to carry voluminous books and notes to school, taking the public utility jeepney pegged at 50-cent fare, sleepless nights, hurried meals, black coffee, novenas, overtimes, etc.  Being a medical student was like standing on a pedestal between life and death, trying so hard to pass all the subjects, fearful of being debarred, and all those feelings of anxieties creeping deep inside one's total being. The memories are simply and hauntingly unforgettable.

As an instructor now, I feel there is no place for me to be unreasonably strict or being a "terror" to my students. I believe that the only difference between me and my students is: I was born in 1952 while they were born in the late 70s. (mostly 1978 - just when I finished my M.D.).  Sooner or later, these present crops of medical students of mine will be my colleagues in the medical profession, some will even become the instructors of our children who will then be medical students themselves, just as some of my students now are the children of my former instructors.  Again, life is a cycle, happening by stages. We start as graders before becoming high schoolers. In like manner, we start as medical students before becoming interns, PGIs, residents, or consultants. I have always stressed this to my students as their instructor, and to my residents as their Director of Continuing Medical Education at the Metro Cebu Community Hospital.  I know how it feels. I was once in their shoes.

So that's the way we were. Indeed, happy days are here again. Happier days I should say because for now we are no longer faced with the feeling of failing, much more to be debarred from medical school. Happier because we are now the doctors that we have always dreamed to become, a dream likewise of our parents, relatives, classmates, and friends back in our hometown, their pride to see us as doctors someday. That dream is now a reality. But no matter what, no matter how, I will always be the same guy you all have known before as a grader at LCHS, active in extracurricular activities, editor of the Campus Keeper, everybody's friend and barkada, a jam session prince, among others. Let us not put our fame and fortune in our heads. After all, we are all but passing visitors on this earth, with a limited tourist visa. One of these days, whether we like it or not, we will all leave this world without bringing with us anything, not even one of those trophies, plaques, hidden treasures, and other valuables. We are all children of the same God as everybody's God. The only difference is: being doctors, we were given the chance to study longer and be trained to become God's instruments in the Healing Ministry.

So, come Grand Reunion, let us all set aside what we have become. Let us all be there in our alma mater as ordinary students that we used to be, the way we were back in the 60s in a place called Iligan, in a school known as Lanao Chinese High School. Nothing more. Nothing less. For once in your life.  See you all then.

By Marie Janiefer Q. Lee, Batch '87

Since I was a little girl, family and friends have always called me "Jin-Jin," as in heavy on the "i," though it is spelled as "Jen-jen."  Well, most of us Cebuano-speaking folks do that often, right?  Then when I started to go to school my classmates called me either "Jan" or "Fer" until high school. When I was in college the people I knew there called me "Janie."  Now after college the people I know call me "Jen" with an "e" this time.

So now whenever I receive a phone call with this opening line "Janie, guess who?",  I already have a clue on which group of people to match the voice to.  I only have to scan my memory for that particular voice back in college.

When I get a call that says "Bak" instead of "Hello," I know that's my one and only big sister Jojo.  As for the "bak" thing, well, you just have to ask her the story behind this alias, because I won't embarrass myself by telling the whole world what it stands for.

When the caller says "Fer, ga-unsa ka?", that would be one of my LCHS classmates. When the caller says "hello dits," that's my younger sister Joan.  Or when the caller says "hello mars," I won't say "sorry, wrong number, this is Earth."  "Mars" is short for ma're, then it would be my friend Janet Ang.  When the caller says "O! Pra!",  it's not somebody looking for the famous celebrity Oprah. It's my mother who calls me Jenipra. When somebody calls and asks for "Marie Janiefer Lee, please", I'm often compelled to answer with "sorry, she's not here." Because most of the time it's somebody I don't know. It could either be a real estate broker or some salesman who just got my name from somewhere.

This version of "caller ID" is very useful for me.  At least once I hear what name the caller uses to address me I would have a clue as to who I'm talking with.  It also saves the caller the uneasiness of introducing himself or herself.  And most of all, I don't need a GSM phone for this.  Any phone will do just fine.

The following batch listing is supplied by the Reunion Steering Committee based on available school records and other individual resources. If you notice any names missing, please bring them to the attention of the Steering Committee or the Spectrum.

BATCH 1993:  Marvin Abadiano; Rosalyn Acedo; Maureen Karen Andaquig; Jennifer Bernardo; Charo Bodiongan; Hedda Ester Chin; Fely Cua; Jeanne Dy; Honey Dy-Henry; Ludette Go; Duke Harvey Lagtapon; Theresa Maglasang; Liza Jeane Pua; Jo-An Rabon; Michelle Salud; Lelany Seronay; Mark Stanley Siao; Christine Tan; Gwen Marie Tiu; and Benedict Ian Te.

BATCH 1994:  Maricar Abadiano; Haidee Ang; Michelle Awayan; Romeo June Babatido; Marl Baltazar; Kenneth Bernardo; Christopher Bruton; Desiree Dy; Hiram Dy-Henry; Atitha Michelle Enoy; Alvin Fuentes; Farah Vei Merium Genobaten; Mary Grace Khey; Stevenzon Kho; Bennie Khu; Bryan Bruce Lai; Charlie Lee; Sandra Nena Ngo; Michelle Pagarigan; Johnson Po; Jefferson Quimbo; Eden Rosal; Emafet Saceda; Jennifer Samson; Raymund Sy; Jennifer Te; George Villabert; Charlen An-An Yu; Vivian Yu; and Arrah Mae Zorilla.

BATCH 1995:  Bernadette Abadiano; Alfredo Andaquig; Jinnah Dorothy Benaojan; Natalie Chan; Jewel Joy Chan; Tuesday May Chua; Arline Fuentes; Eurose Gaite; Lea Jeassamine Garrido; Liza Claire Gonzaga; Glomie Granados; Evande Marie Lagtapon; Maria Fleta Larrazabal; Marites Ong; Maria Christina Ong; Ruth Pañaflor; Noraleta Pua; Janice Samson; Kristine Samson; Romulo Samson; Pitrickson So; Anna Jeremy Suminguit; Hilton Neil Sy; Sherwin Sy; Carolyn Tablason; Roy Alexis Tamondong; Christine Tan; Liez Carolyn Tan; and Stephen Yee.  (Continued next issue)

As I checked in for my flight to Manila from Cagayan de Oro last August 9, the Philippine Airlines personnel informed me that I would have to go to the NAIA Terminal II, also known as the Centennial Airport, for my flight back to Cagayan de Oro on the 11th of August. Domestic flights would be operated at the new terminal starting on the 10th.  I never thought that the new architectural marvel at the back of the old domestic airport was coming to a reality.

On the day of my departure, my sister and brother accompanied me to the new terminal. Upon reaching the entrance, I felt as if I was going abroad and not to Cagayan de Oro. The place was not crowded at all.  There is now ample parking space. The terminal is somewhat a smaller version of NAIA. Upon entering the terminal, one is met by the glass façade. Inside, I could not help but notice the PAL personnel looking so dignified on their dark blue business suit. There are monitors all around displaying the scheduled flights and their status. Paying the P100 terminal fee seems reasonable enough for the new "state of the art" facilities. No more long queues in the cafeteria since there are several snack bars within the premises. No more long queues to the comfort rooms too, since there two on each side and a separate one for the disabled. There are enough seats for everyone since they cater to PAL passengers only, compared to the overcrowded old terminal where one would not miss seeing passengers sitting along the aisle or on the side against the wall.

The architectural design is worth noticing too. The structure is made up of steel, reinforced concrete and glass panels. The building utilizes natural lighting. A utility man could be seen constantly sweeping the floor and once in a while checks the garbage bins. There is enough tissue paper in the comfort rooms, and a cleaning lady is around to keep the ladies comfort room spic and span. No more fear for the rains, because passengers now pass through the covered ramp directly towards the aircraft when boarding. Pay phones abound. One problem though is that if one plans to take a bus or taxi, it is a bit far from the bus routes and there are few taxi cabs around.

Fellow alumni coming home from abroad for the grand alumni homecoming will find this new terminal a welcome relief compared to the old one. Though this new terminal may not be as "world class" as compared to the terminals of other countries, I could say it is something Filipinos would be proud of.  It will be every traveling Filipino's dream that the NAIA authority will be able to maintain the terminal properly.

When we are young, we can't wait to grow up. When we are old, we look longingly to former years. Isn't this so?

A woman, who couldn't quite accept growing old, asked a church minister, "Why does God let us get old and weak?" The minister thought for a moment and replied, "I think God has planned the strength and beauty of youth to be physical. But the strength and beauty of old age is spiritual. We gradually lose our physical looks which are temporal so we'll be sure to know the spiritual strength and beauty that is forever. Soon we will all grow old, to the point when we will be eager to leave the temporary deteriorating part of us and be truly homesick for our spiritual and eternal home. If we stay young, strong, and beautiful, we may never want to leave."

How true it is! Now I understand the wisdom why people grow old. When my hair started falling and wrinkles started lining my face, I could not care less. The green leaves of summer have turned to autumn's beautiful red and gold. However it is, I trust that His presence makes every season of my life of strength and beauty.

There's joy in every season of life. Whatever our age, God asks us to commit our ways to Him and accept joyfully the struggle He allows along with the strength He provides. Yes, He provides the grace and wants us to accept old age gracefully.

Are you in your life's springtime? Pray that you will fulfill your dreams. Are you in life's summer or autumn? With God's blessings, face your daily challenges head-on. But if you feel the chill of winter -- my friend, strive to know God better. In Him is the fountain of youth. His presence surely can make every season of life -- of strength and beauty.

Now, who is afraid to grow old?