Internet Newsletter of the Alumni of Lanao Chung Hua School Vol. 3, No. 15, October 4, 1999, Iligan City, Philippines NEW VISION FOR LCHS LCHS mulls sports complex By Roger Suminguit  (Batch '73) Plans are afoot to construct a sports complex for LCHS. The proposal was presented by Sy Chu An, president of the LCHS board of trustees, to the LCHS-AA during its board meeting last Sept. 16. The plan is still tentative and currently under discussion. At the same meeting,  the LCHS-AA also approved the hiring of one temporary secretary for the grand homecoming secretariat. The secretary will be stationed at the office of Roger Suminguit, who has been appointed co-chairman of the Reunion Secretariat to assist Johnny Chen. The newly hired secretary has been tasked to monitor all incoming and outgoing communications and transactions pertaining to the grand homecoming. The Secretariat henceforth will be based at the office of Roger Sumiguit, with telephone no. (063) 223-1555. More school buildings for Iligan More school buildings are being donated to Iligan City. The Dalipuga Barangay High School will soon receive a school building from the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce (FFCCC).   Councilor Henry Dy said construction of the new two-room building will be completed this month.The FFCCC has already donated five school buildings in Iligan. Recently the Chinese Filipino Business Club in Manila also donated a school building to the Doña Juana Actub Lluch Memorial School in Pala-o. Henry Dy himself has already donated four school buildings out of his own funds.

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 43 WEEKS to Grand Homecoming

A scene from the Kasadya street dancing festival (left photo); and Miss Iligan '99 with her
court on a float (right photo) during the city parade. Photos courtesy of Robert Booc (Batch '84)

Winners of LCHS spelling contests
By Igdono Caracho (Batch '66)

LCHS recently held its annual spelling contests among its students in different levels. The winners were, third year vs. fourth year: Jane Dale Racines, 1st place; Prince Dane Chan, 2nd; and Jerumae Lee, 3rd. First year vs. second year: Harold Letigio, 1st; Armie Leslie Te, 2nd; Jian Leigh Racines, 3rd. Grade V vs. grade VI: Dave Polimyr Dingal, 1st; Patrick Ang, 2nd; and Gladys Uy, 3rd. Grade III vs. grade IV: Pao-ju Chi, 1st; Carleen Dara Ybanez, 2nd; and Jan Brian Andos, 3rd. Grade I vs. grade II: Reggielloyd Aguilar, 1st; Kevin Bryan Dy, 2nd; and Ann Catherine Co, 3rd. Kinder II: Louise Carmel Letigio, 1st; Chemabel Claire Jasma, 2nd; and Salome Kim Uy, 3rd.

Campugan laid to rest
By Roger Suminguit (Batch '73)

Former LCHS teacher Pedro Campugan was laid to rest last Sept. 25 amidst a slight afternoon drizzle at the San Agustin Cemetery in Barangay Dalipuga, Iligan City. He was accorded full burial ceremony by his fraternal brothers, the Knights of Columbus. A requiem mass at the San Lorenzon Parish Church preceded the interment rites. The LCHS-AA contributed a cash donation through his sister, Anacorita Campugan Castigador, also a former teacher of LCHS. Mrs. Castigador was at the funeral along with this writer.

Campugan will be missed
Tue, 21 Sep 1999 01:19:04 +0800

It is with great sorrow that we learned from the Spectrum about the passing of our beloved teacher, Pedro Campugan. I am sure all of us will miss him. Please extend our deepest sympathy to his wife and family.

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

Good day! Another batch of squamous cells from our skin is shed off everyday. Don't worry, it's physiologic but indeed we are heading on that path of aging. The article "The Seasons of Life" by Rene Tio (Spectrum, September 20, 1999) is refreshing for those insecure, self-conscious and cosmetic persons. It sets a tone of facing life not only on its face value but holistic, humble state that indeed somebody up there has a good plan for us. How exciting it is to know of His plan but we have to know Him first. God Blesses those who Bless Him.

Antonio Linog, M.D., Cagayan de Oro, Philippines, tonyl@cdo.philcom.com.ph

As an alumnus, I would like to thank LCHS for effectively teaching its students, especially in the field of Mathematics. It is common knowledge that graduates of LCHS are known to be proficient in Math. Being a 4th year college student now, I find the things that I learned at LCHS are still applicable. Once again, my warmest thanks.

Michael John Siangco (Batch '96), Iligan, Philippines, michaelsiangco@eudoramail.com

I received the LCHS alumni newspaper you sent me and thank you very much. It is very refreshing to read something about the people and place you know and are familiar with. By the way, on the next issue there's no need for you to send it to me through e-mail because I can check it directly on the web site. Once again thank you.

Jessita Leonar Williams, Swan Hills, Alberta, Canada, jessi_williams@bovar.com

By Roger Suminguit, Batch '73

Two former LCHS teachers: An update

I recently had an encounter with the husband of Josefina Tan Gaid, former teacher of LCHS. From him I learned that Josefina Tan has been traveling to Cebu City for several times lately for health reasons.  She goes there for periodic treatment of her glaucoma. She is scheduled soon for operation at the Cebu Southern Island Hospital. Perhaps some of our benevolent alumni in Cebu City may wish to pay her a visit or offer their assistance. During my brief interview with her husband, I also learned that he and Josefina have been married for 17 years now. They have no children. The husband is a retired mechanical engineer and is recently starting a business of his own.

It was under a most unlikely circumstance that I got to meet another former teacher of LCHS; one enshrouded in sadness and sorrow. I was paying my last respects for the late Pedro Campugan when I met his younger sister Anacorita Campugan Castigador. She is a former Grade III teacher of LCHS. She joined the LCHS faculty a year after Pedro Campugan in 1957. It was her first teaching job. During our hushed conversation, Anacorita said among her students whom she still remembers are Lalita Uy, Sergio Siao, Edwin Co, Charita Sia-Po, and Joselyn Ang. She is now 56 years old, and happily married with one son. Her husband is in the farming business. They live in Poblacion, Kalilangan, Bukidnon. I was never under the tutelage of Pedro and Anacorita Campugan during their LCHS days. I was still too young then. But I learned earlier from Robert and Edwin Co that Pedro Campugan had a sister who is also an ex-LCHS teacher. So meeting her by chance at the wake of Mr. Campugan gave me an opportunity for an interview. I extended our invitation to Anacorita Campugan to our forthcoming Christmas party and the Grand Homecoming. She is very eager to attend and is looking forward to meet her former pupils on these occasions.

Alumni siblings in pursuit of higher goals

Remember Abigail Louise Te, class valedictorian of Batch 1998? She's now at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City, pursuing her studies in preparatory medicine. She is following the footsteps of her dad, Antonio Leo Te (Batch '69), who is now doctor in Tainan, Taiwan, and currently on brief vacation in Iligan. Abigail's younger brother, Anthon Louise Te (Batch '99), on the other hand, is taking up computer engineering at the University of San Jose Recoletos, Cebu City. Their cousin, Raquel Te, daughter of Rudy "Waya" Te, is also a doctor. She is connected with the pediatrics department of the Cebu Chong Hua Hospital. Raquel's elder brother, Ronald Te, is a physicist in the USA. He is connected with the renowned computer company, Intel Corporation. He is currently assigned at the company's branch in Manila. Another sibling, Ruth Te, is in the USA pursuing her doctorate degree in chemistry.
 

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

When the sun's stinging fury is worth nothing more than easy drips of sweat; when the birds and the bees scramble frantically for a final brush of the withering perfume in the flower gardens; when night falls in a blanket of comfy breezes that lullabies wornout muscles and nerves; when the body thermostats detect the opportune occasion to reset individual psyche for the soft approach of chilly afternoons; when the green leaves of summer burst into dazzling red and yellow beauties that sedate the inner soul ... Alas, autumn is settling in.

It is the phase of the year when the misty dawns incite sleeping couples to reflexly hug more and incorporate each other's stores of heat and warmth (beware of those flying elbows, though, girl). For Northeasterners like me, it is the perfect outdoor to dust off the camera lenses and freeze the dizzying array of photographic frames of each passing day: purple-hued sunsets, orange lakes, landscape dotted with shimmering radiance. Indeed, those falling leaves are like memories: After a sumptuous serving of majestic scenes, the mind is thrust into invigorating rites, to recycle the fragments of soothing comfort in order to pave the way for another sprouts of fresh glory in the springtime.

For the self-declared poets in our troop: Autumn mutely wriggles, vibrates and trembles/ For life's charming pack of puzzling riddles/ Searching blank pages for dreams to rest/ Time dances at its sensuous best. For the closet romantics in our love-perfused planet who'd rather tug along their love secrets to the graveyard than exposing their naked sentiments and be grilled alive: The light of your smile sways like autumn air/Captivating and alluring in its glare and flare/ As it touches and departs I longingly feel/ Bubbles my heart primed to heal and seal/ Sidelong glances mastered so pure/ Best when nothing said at all.

What does "I'm at the autumn of my life" mean? Among other million things, it connotes that you are nearing the end of the rope. However angled and scanned, what a pleasurable point in time to cram one's concluding earthly chapters - a fusion of absolutely mystifying glows and
tranquilizing serenity.

By Leonardo "Eddie" Tan, Batch '66

Freemasonry as a fraternity flourished throughout Europe in the early 18th century. And some of the new settlers of the New World started spreading it in the North American continent. The organization was very loose at that time with each individual masonic lodge operated uniquely on its own. It was not until June 24, 1717 that the Grand Lodge of England was established in London which started to govern with uniformity the many subordinate lodges under its jurisdiction. Grand lodges in Scotland and France would soon follow. By the end of 18th century, almost every European countries had a Grand Lodge of their own.

In effect this new organization had taken roots in the most powerful and influential nations on earth at a time when the world was divided among the European colonizers. From Europe Freemasonry spread throughout the world. Spaniards who found their way to the Philippines brought not only the Christian Cross but the Square and Compasses of Freemasonry as well in their second half of colonization. They spread not only the Gospels of the Bible but also the tenets of the fraternity which are "Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth."

It could be claimed that Freemasonry became the first universal non-governmental organization (NGO). Freemasonry was a couple of centuries ahead of civic clubs like Lions, Rotary and Kiwanis. The members of this organization were God-fearing men who practiced charity, liberals and progressive, patriots and freedom fighters. Although Freemasonry has no requirement regarding one's station in life except one's purity of heart and sincerity of intention to be a Freemason, yet the reality of its membership in those times were the elite of the society. They were rich landowners, distinguished military men, successful explorers, business leaders, government officials, royal families, professionals and the learned. These were men who could afford such a social life in those times. Freemasonry became a fraternity whose members could influence the opinion of their community. They did not only look after themselves but they were the concerned citizens who sought to improve the general well being of their their fellow men as exemplified by Dr. Jose Rizal, Gen. George Washington and Dr. Sun Yat Sen, to name a few.

The ideals of Freemasonry, which is to improve men morally, should be complimentary to the goal of the church. But it came under close scrutiny by some church leaders. They instead branded Freemasonry as a real threat when some of the Freemasons, acting on their own and without the sanction of the lodge, were vocal in denouncing the abuses committed by some church leaders. This was too much for the established church which at that time was enjoying immense power not only spiritually but politcally as well. The concept of separation of church and state was until then unheard of. And the church was more powerful than the state. And for the first time, the Catholic church felt threatened with their monopolistic influence of the politics worldwide which they had enjoyed unchallenged for more than a millennium and a half. Freemasonry therefore was not welcomed by the church. This was even made more complicated when the Christian church was undergoing a reformation movement. And ever since King Henry VIII of England, Vatican's erstwhile "Defender of the Faith", established his own brand of protestanism - Church of England which was at odd with Vatican. And by coincidence, the first Grand Lodge was founded in England and its subsequent Grandmasters were the English male monarchs who were also titular heads of Church of England. Over zealous Catholic propagandists would soon condemn Freemasonry as a dangerous cult composed of heretics.

This slander against Freemasonry culminated on April 28, 1738, when Pope Clement XII promulgated a bill "In Eminenti", banning all Catholics in joining Freemasonry or suffer the consequence of excommunication.

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

Our "Superstar"days may be over. But the memories of the so-called "campus stars" of our beloved LCHS will always remain a very dear part of our school days when we were the young ones exuding freshness, vim, vigor, and vitality, in the tradition of "the face that refreshes" (a legendary description of the original movie kings Jose Mari of the Electromaniacs and Eddie Mesa of the Hijacks).

Ball games were very well played during our era  from volleyball to basketball to paperball. And who were these heroes and heroines of the court circa 1960s? Let’s make a roll call of the volleyball players or enthusiasts of LCHS: Deborah Debalucos, Gloricita Racines, Virginia Wong, Joselyn Ang, Aida Chou, Melania Handumon, Elsa Lagrosas, Lily Leuong, Lolita Lua, Charmaine Molo, Virginia Ngo, Lalita Uy, Felicitas Ly, Gloria Tecson, Jane Sy, Shirley Co, Apolonia Chiu, Betty Bernardo, Janet Lee, Edna Choa Tan, Leodegaria Lagrosas, etc.

The basketball aficionados were Franklin Siao, Peter Sy, Teodoro Tan, Rolando Te, Catalino Binolirao, Jesus Dy, Manuel Tan, Peter Co, Henry Dy, Johnson Dy, George Sy, Antonio Chan, Nicomedes Debalucos, Fernando Khu, Artemio Lagrosas, Clemente Lim, Jaime Rodriguez, Marciano Tan, James Tio Huan, Johnny Co, Peter Dy, Bienvenido Lim, James So, Robert Sy, Pablito Tan, Aldo Caracho, Rudy Co, Dionesio Chiu, Carlos Ong, Venancio Alvarez, Jose Booc, Laureto Capuyan, Edwin Co, Henry Kaw Hoc, Lee Kee Siang, Leonilo Leong, San Mondarte, Constantino Sy, Castor Ong, Antonio Leo Te, Claro Tan, etc.  So far these are the players that come into my mind who played the field and had lots of fun. They were the campus stars of the 60s that randomly register in my aging mind now.

There were also those LCHS majorettes, stage performers, dancing queens, singers, and declaimers or orators. Again, let's make a roll call. The majorettes were Vivina Chiu, Nelly Co, Dy Sio Te, Bonifacia Co, Felicitas Ly, Elizabeth Co, Melania Handumon, etc.

The stage performers included Alex Handumon, Antonio Leo Te, Dy Tio Te, Norma Sy, Teresita Siao, Vy Sio Tin, Perla Yu, Melania Handumon, Marcy Sy, Fena Choa Tan, Josefina Tiu Huan, Dy Sun Lay, Margarita Kho, Helen Ngo, Cynthia Choa Tan, Dy Chiok Hian, Josefina Lim, Alice Ngo, Charita Sia, Adelfa Tan, Gloria Tecson, Jane Sy, Shirley Co, Vy Sio Hua, the Lim sisters (Elena, Lolita and Elizabeth). There was the Vultures Combo of Alex Rodriguez, Victor and Ernesto Yu. These were the so-called cream of the crop in so far as literary-musical performances went, practicing with gusto after class dismissals at the auditorium with our teachers as DIs (dance instructress).

By Marie Janiefer Q. Lee, Batch '87

Have you been in a situation where you'd wish that somebody would come out from somewhere and say "smile, you're on candid camera"?  Like when things get so out of hand that you'd think somebody must be making a comedy film out of it, with you as the star without your knowledge?

Two years ago my newly wed brother-in-law and his wife decided to go to Hongkong for their honeymoon and asked Stanley and I if we wanted to come along.  It was scheduled on a Holy Week so we decided to go with them.

They arranged everything from our tickets to where we were supposed to stay. All we had to do was pay.  Since it was a spur of the moment kind of trip, we thought we were so lucky to get seats on the plane. Well, on the day of our departure I guess our luck must have taken the earlier flight because from that point on we were greeted with bloopers after bloopers.

First, when we checked in, the counter personnel could not find my sister-in-law's name. They found it later but she was booked on a different flight. We had to wait at the counter for an available seat, so she could take our flight with us. Then, at the immigration counter my brother-in-law was taken to an office because they said that his name appeared on the "hold departure" list.  After minutes of waiting he finally appeared saying that there was just a mix-up.  Finally we were off to the shopping capital of Asia. The flight went without any problem so I thought maybe the rest of the trip would be as smooth.

Well, I must have spoken too soon.  When we arrived at the condominium unit lent to us, my sister-in-law could not open her suitcase. They pried it open and to her amazement it was not her bag that she took from the airport.  I thought this could only happen in the movies; I was starting to look for the "candid camera" crew.  I just could not figure out how this could happen because when we were still at the NAIA I vividly remembered her sticking name tags on all her belongings.  So after hearing those @#*#@* from my brother-in-law we went back to the airport.  Then when we were about to pay the taxi, everybody searched through his pocket for any Hongkong money because we really had not been able to have our US dollar changed to the local currency.  Then, eureka! I found a Chinese-looking 100 bill inside my wallet. Feeling proud of myself, I handed it to the driver.  I was expecting to be thanked for being the hero who saved the day. But all we got from the driver was a rapid fire of Cantonese with matching angry gestures.  We kept pointing at the bill saying it's 100 so where's our change, but he still kept screaming at us. Finally he pointed something on the 100 bill, I thought oh no not the words "play money", thank goodness it didn't say that but it did say that it was a Taiwanese money.  At that time I was hoping that the grounds would just open up and swallow me instead of facing the by then very angry driver.  We must have said a million sorry to the poor driver after paying him with a money somebody quickly got from the foreign exchange counter inside the airport.

This may all seems so funny now but back then we could hardly make out a smile for the rest of that day.  Each of us was just silent, thinking that if things were different we would have been hopping from one mall to the next.

Thinking back, all I could say is that maybe some forces of nature felt like teasing somebody that day and maybe we were it.  Or maybe we were taking life too seriously that we needed to go through this experience to learn to lighten up a bit.

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 1996:  Philip John Abejo; Leah Mae Andaquig; Ritchelle Ang; Christopher Bodiongan; Almer Dagondon; Loreto Daguman; Scarlet Dy; Leevan Go; Michael Phllips Lim; Rubylle Luna; Sherwin Mondarte; Glenn Natividad; Johnard Ngo; Marlon Co; Roland Winluv Lao Orbe; Marigold Papa; Jone Raye Racines; Ian Jerome Santos; Michael John Siangco; Lee Abraham Sun; Edward Ryan Sy; Sandy Sy; Jonathan Mark Te; Elneil Tan Tiu; Joy Honeylet Wang; Lemuel Yap; Diah Michelle Yee; and Sheryl Yu.

BATCH 1997:  Ian Kinn Abejo; Jacqueline Acedo; Ryan Roy Andaquig; Dennis Ang; Stylus Bernardo; Make Jan Ann Chan; Hazel Dy-Henry; Vanessa May Lagrosas; Philchin Ng; Jaylyn Orbe; Jacque Lynn Samson;  Karen Mae Samson; Samantha Ligaya; Daniel Sy; Gilbey Tablason; Meliza Mei-lin Tan; and Ronnel Uy.

BATCH 1998:  Quenie Angkee; Debbie Jane Debbie; Alfredo Dagondon Jr.; Wilfridis Deloy; Minnie Noreen Dy; Cliver Jonathan Dy; Clark Lai; Stephanie Lim; Joan Ling; Aileen Sia; Anthony Sia; Christiane Levi Sun; Caroline Jean Sy; Jennifer Te; Abigail Louise Te; and Arlene Yu.

BATCH 1999:  Katherine Kho; July Ng; Christian Gil Portugalisa; Jefferson Romares; John Arthur Samson; Ronald Rae Samson; Oliver Siangco; Diana Grace Sy; Mae Angela Talingting; Anthon Louie Te; Sally Vy; Jean Haydee Wang; Jefferson Wong; Lewgrade Yap; and Francisco Alonzo Yu.