Vol. 6, No. 3, May 13, 2002
The LCHS-AA, in an unprecedented show of all-out support for the Spectrum, has purchased a set of computer system for the use of the Spectrum editor and his staff. This move came as an offshoot of the resolution filed by Suniel Lim and unanimously approved by the LCHS-AA officers in a board meeting held last April 18. The move took cognizance of the inconvenience and difficulty faced by the editor to work on each issue of the Spectrum at an Internet cafe. The new PC, including a fax/data modem, deskjet printer and flatbed scanner, costs P54,500. Funds for the purchase came from voluntary contributions of concerned alumni following a fund drive initiated by the LCHS-AA and the Spectrum on the Internet. As of May 10, among the donors, who contributed P5,000 each, were Leonardo Tan; Wilford Lim; Kho Siok We; Mike Lee; Charles O. Sy; and Teresita Siao-Go. In addition, Ritky C. Dy contributed P10,000 on behalf of his mother, Chua Hui Bian; and brothers Kelly & Willy; sisters Jane, Jocelyn, Janet, & Juvy, in loving memory of their father, Dy Sun Kang. Laureto Lao Capuyan and his wife, Elsie Tan-Lao, contributed P7,500. The Iligan Global Access Network, Inc. (IliGANet) has also pledged its support by offering 20 hours of free Internet time to the Spectrum every month.
Alumnus' son passes board exams
The son of Suniel "Boy" Lim (Batch '66), John Godwin S. Lim, eldest son of the four siblings, recently passed the ECE board exams given last April, 2002. Oath taking was set on May 11, 2002 in Cebu City. John Godwin is an MSU-IIT graduate. Other siblings are Cherrie Anne Lim-Mosqueda (Batch '90), the eldest child, is a magna cum laude and pioneering batch graduate of Computer Science course from the University of San Carlos, Cebu City. Cherrie Anne also graduated as the valedictorian from LCHS grade school both in Chinese and English departments and was awarded as the LCHS model student of the year due to her outstanding achievement in scholastic activities. Peachy Lynn Lim, a high school and college graduate of MSU-IIT, finished B.S Information Technology. She has been working for six months as junior finance officer at NEC-Technology in MEPZA, Mactan, Cebu. After her stint at NEC-Technology, she resigned to pursue her studies. She is presently continuing her study in multi-media in Cebu Institute of Technology, Cebu City. The youngest, Jasper Joseph S. Lim, a third year college scholar of DOST-MSU-IIT, is taking up Industrial Automation & Control Engineering Technology (IACET). Suniel and his wife are blessed with children of good scholastic aptitude.
Sammy Go manages new restaurant
Jose
Sam Go (Batch '67), in photo, is now the manager of a new seafood restaurant
in Cebu City. Called Seajoy Seafood Kingdom, the restaurant is located
at Andres Abellana st. The place is drawing hordes of customers with
its daily eat-all-you-can buffet dinner at only P99 per person, with no
less than 16 entries and bottomless iced tea. Sammy was formerly connected
with Solidbank as cashier of its Fuente Osmeña branch in Cebu.
If you are out looking for good eats at an affordable price in Cebu, try
visiting Sammy's new restaurant or give him a shout at Tel. No. 253-7172;
Cell No. 0917-3212091.
[Editor’s Note: Aside from Sammy Go, there are a few other alumni who are engaged in food-related biz in Cebu. Some of them were featured in our past issues under "Tracers." We have Lilian Ang (Batch '57), sister of Charles Ang, who makes and supplies her home-made ba-chang to a group of regular customers with a taste for home-cooked Chinese delicacies. Tina Bernardo-Ong, together with her husband, runs the Oriental Food Shoppe, a grocery shop specializing in Chinese foodstuffs, such as Chinese empanada, chay pao, tikoy and other oriental gourmet items. It is located near the Chong Hua Hospital. Abigail Ong Chan, daughter of the late Susan Ong (Batch '67), operates a chain of thriving native food counters, called Sugbahan, with outlets at the Ayala Business Center, Robinson's Place, and Mango Plaza. And there's Roderick Ngo (Batch '70) who helps his wife Vicky run the Westpoint Cafe, a cafeteria cum music lounge on the ground floor of their Westpoint Inn, along Don Gil Garcia St., Cebu City.]
Best in Science and Technology awards, High School
In the recognition program held on March 22 and March 26, 2002 in the Lanao Chung Hua School Gym, the following high school students were given the “Best in Science and Technology” awards: Giselle Mae S. Letegio, first year; Annalyn C. Bernardo, second year; Enjoy Faith C. Ang, third year; and Cheerine U. Dy, fourth year.
Best in Science and Technology awards, Grade School
In the recognition program held on March 22 and March 26, 2002 in the Lanao Chung Hua School Gym, the following grade school students were given the “Best in Science and Technology” awards: Thomas Derrick P. Siao, grade 1; Kevin Bill R. Taongan, grade 2; Ann Catherine L. Co, grade 3; Karen Andrea L. Chua, grade 4; Darryn Michael W. Chiu, grade 5; and Tristan Ervin G. Lim, grade 6.
Spectrum website hits record high
The
Spectrum
website registered a record high of 1,513 visitors for the month of April
2002. The previous highest number of visitors was recorded in October
2001 with 1,176 hits. Monthly statistics provided by the Spectrum's
server at GeoCities, U.S.A. show a remarkable increase in the number of
viewers since the time the Spectrum bounced back in cyberspace with
Victor Chiu as editor. The website contains regular issues of the
Spectrum,
photos of the new editorial staff, a brief history of the Spectrum,
and a pictorial page featuring photos of alumni activities, among others.
The Spectrum Home Page is accessible on this web site: http://www.geocities.com/lchsspectrum.
In a related development, demand for the printed edition of the Spectrum keeps increasing. For April 15, 2002 issue, 46 copies were printed. For April 29, 60 copies were printed. For May 13, 80 copies are scheduled to be printed and distributed. A number of subscribers prefer the printed edition because it is portable and easy on the eyes.
Science scholarship qualifiers
Three elementary students of LCHS successfully passed the Philippine Science High School Scholarship Examination sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). They are Jan Brian R. Ano-os, New Blossom C. Ang and Carleen Dara L. Ibañez.
The scholarship program is part of the DOST's strategy in identifying and nurturing talented Filipino youth who can be the future frontliners that will bring about more breakthroughs in the field of science and technology. As incentives, the scholars will receive free tuition, books, monthly living allowance and stipends, uniform and transportation allowances.
LCHS-AA
mulls new scholarship
By Teresita Racines (Batch '67)
The LCHS-AA is formulating a new scheme in extending scholarship to LCHS students. The new thrusts will provide scholarship incentives to students who excel in their academic performance. This new scheme is separate from the Scholarship Program administered by the LCHS Alumni Foundation, Inc., which offers free tuition to children of LCHS-AA members in need of financial support.
The new system, to be administered by the LCHS-AA in coordination with the LCHS Board of Trustees, will offer scholarship to deserving children of alumni and non-alumni alike. Part of the new scheme is to give scholarship to Grade-VI valedictorian and salutatorian regardless of their parents' economic status. This incentive is aimed at encouraging top elementary graduates to continue their studies at LCHS, who may otherwise be lured to transfer to other schools offering a host of attractive incentives like scholarship, reduced tuition fees, and monthly allowances. Another part of the new program is the benefactor-beneficiary scheme. This will give scholarship to good students, who can't afford to continue their studies at LCHS for financial reasons, regardless of whether their parents are alumni or non-alumni. Under this plan, the LCHS-AA will solicit the aid of prominent individuals or companies who will act as benefactors for each of the scholars. Tasked to scout for benefactors are alumni officers Edwin Co and Glenda "Hong Hong" Sy-Cabilan, who are working relentlessly to put this plan to work by next school year.
Spectrum
to print more copies
Teresita Racines (Batch '67)
The Spectrum staff in Iligan and key LCHS-AA officers met anew last April 30 to discuss its financial setup, and new strategies for circulation and news gathering. Among those present at the meeting were LCHS-AA president Beng Hong Vy, Suniel Lim, Terry Racines, Roger Suminguit, Edwin Co, Victor Chiu, and Castor Ong Lim. To ensure better coordination, Roger Suminguit has been designated as editorial assistant to Victor Chiu, with Castor Ong Lim as business manager, and Joan Quimbo as treasurer. To improve circulation, the volume of printed copies will be increased for mass distribution to alumni in Iligan, including a student edition to be sold at a discount to LCHS students. At the same time, more ad placements will be sought for inclusion in the printed edition to offset the cost of reproduction.
Housing czar lauds model socialized housing
Housing
Czar Sec. Mike Defensor, together with the managers of government housing
agencies, officially inaugurated the San Agustin Valley Homes at Pueblo
Township, Cagayan de Oro City on March 9, 2002. This is a socialized
joint venture housing project of Johndorf Ventures Corporation headed by
Richard "Hong Tok" Lim (Batch '69) and Pueblo de Oro Development Corporation.
Sec. Defensor commended the quality and speed of its development, saying
it should be a role model for socialized housing projects in other parts
of the country, as the Arroyo government is trying to meet its target for
housing, especially for the poor.
Started just in the middle of last year, the 12-hectare, 1,000-unit
project is scheduled to be completed by May this year, or exactly one year
after it was started. With its proximity to Shoe Mart (SM) and affordable
package, this new subdivision has become a very popular choice of investment
among the working class. To date, about 700 units have been sold.
Majority of the housing applicants are Pag-Ibig members. Applicants can
avail up to a maximum term of 30 years and monthly amortization for as
low as P1,700. "The monthly amortization is even cheaper than renting
a house in the city," said Atty. Federico Quimbo who is the OIC of Pag-Ibig
Fund.
| Wedding Bells |
Te-Tiu
Nuptial.Another alumnus, alumni past president Manuel "Maning"
Te (Batch '66) married Ida Tiu who hails from Cotabato City, in a simple
civil ceremony held last April 28 at the Grand Convention Center in Cebu
City. Among the guests present were Dy Shek Tong (Batch '56), Alfred Sy
"Chu Tek" (Batch '56) and wife Rosie "Bian-Bian" Siao-Sy (Batch '60), Charito
Go, Jose Sam "Sammy" Go (Batch '67), Bebencio "Bebe" Palang (Batch '56),
Conchita Te (Batch '61) and Dy Tiao Un (Batch '40). Ida is
the daughter of alumni Tui Ko Chuy-Cristobal (Batch '40) and Asuncion "Asiong"
Lim-Cristobal (Batch '56) who are now residents of Cotabato City.
She teaches Chinese subjects at Bethany Christian School in Cebu for nine
years. She attended several Chinese teachers' training courses at Taiwan
Provincial Institute for Elementary Schools, Teachers' Training Program
at Chiang Kai Sek, Manila (1994), Taiwan Elementary School Teachers' In-service
Education (1996), Overseas Chinese Teachers Program (1999), sponsored by
the Overseas Chinese Affair Commission of Taiwan, the Teachers' Training
Program in Xiamen (1995). Other trainings are the Teaching Method
Workshop and Overseas Chinese Teaching held at Cebu Eastern College (2001).
Siao-Salud Nuptial. Mark Stanley Siao, the eldest son of Sergio Siao (Batch '66), and Michelle Salud, the youngest daughter of Minda Ang-Salud (Batch '57) exchanged vows in a wedding ceremony held on May 4, 2002 at 2:00 p.m. in Saint Michael's Cathedral, Iligan City. Distinguished principal sponsors were Jose C. Tanyao, Ma. Rosario K. Tanyao, James N. Tan, Teresita S. Go, Kenneth L. Tan, Jocelyn K. Ang, Peter C. Lee, Luisa C. Lee, Sy Beng Gui, Florcita T. Sy, Edgar B. Tan and Rossana C. Belmonte. John Steven K. Siao stood as the Best Man while Candice A. Uy graced the occasion as the Maid of Honor. Teresita "Mei-Mei" Siao-Go ('66) came to Iligan from USA to grace the wedding. Reception followed at the Sky Room of the Maria Cristina Hotel at 6:00 in the evening. The groom and the bride were classmates in high school (Batch '93) and have been engaged for ten years.
Tiu-Booc Nuptial. Timothy
Tiu and Evelyn Booc will tie the knot on May 18, 2002 at the United Church
of Christ of the Philippines (UCCP) in Iligan City. The groom is
one of the twin sons of Alim Lim-Tiu of Cagayan de Oro City while the bride
is the youngest daughter of Shiek Ding Booc. Both Shiek Ding and
Alim were high school classmates, belonging to Class of 1955.
Distinguished principal sponsors are Sy Chu An, Lorenza "Bing-ngo"
Lim, Fernando Khu, Calix Tan, Fiscal Norma Siao, Benjohnson Siao, &
Juanita "Nene" Siao. Reception will be held at Maria Cristina Sky Room
at 7:00 p.m.
| Travel Bugs |
Father and Son's Trip to USA. Alfred Lai (Batch '59) accompanied his son Bryan Bruce Lai (Batch '94) to the USA last month. Their itinerary included New York and Chicago, where Fred's eldest son, Alfred Lai II (Batch '89), is pursuing his career as a registered nurse.
Two Alumni Journey to USA. Recently, two alumni left for the U.S.A. -- for business with pleasure trip? Vacation? They were Bonifacio "Bon-Sio" Te (Batch '62) and Antonio "Dodo" Chan (Batch '65). There's no truth to the rumor that they were mistaken for terrorists.
Greg Dy in Town. Dr. Gregorio "Greg" Dy (Batch '58) flew in from Chicago last May 2, 2002. It can be recalled that Greg was in Iligan to spend his first Christmas Season in 30 years. We all know that he likes to play golf with his brothers and friends. His tee-off buddies are alumni past president Arturo "Toto" Samson (Batch '59), Christopher "Teck-an" Chua , Jose Tan and Jimmy Co Kepte, Their golf sorties include Cagayan de Oro City and Cebu City.
Alumnus Arrives from China Trip.
Professor Rodolfo Yu (Batch '69) recently arrived from People's Republic
of China. This was his second trip 
to
China. The main purpose of his trip was to visit his late father's hometown
in Amoy, Fujian province. He was also invited as the resource speaker
in English seminar workshop at the two big and prestigious institutions
in Fujian. One of his speaking engagements was at the Fujian Agricultural
and Forestry University in Fuzhou City, the capital city of Fujian province.
He delivered a speech before a crowd of 300 students on the Rules of All-Asian
Inter-Varsity Debating Championship last April 19. He delivered another
speech for the future English teachers on the Dynamic Communication Seminar
Workshop last April 24. Professor Yu was impressed with the enthusiasm
of the mainland Chinese to learn the English language. In fact, China
has upgraded the facilities, systems and methods in the study of the English
Language. In Professor Yu's opinion, China is putting emphasis in
the study of the English language due to China's membership application
to World Trade Organization. Accompanying photo shows Professor Rodolfo
Yu while giving a lecture in a Chinese university.
| Obituary |
Benjamin Chua, Jr., FFCCCII president, 65
On May 1, 2002, the national Chinese business community mourned the death of its leader, Benjamin Chua, Jr., 65. He was a philanthropist, owner of the country’s leading steel manufacturing firm, and president of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce & Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII).
"Like many taipans in Asia," says Wilson Lee Flores, a family friend, "Ben Chua came to the Philippines as an immigrant boy who did not know any English, but made himself a success with the traditional Confucian values of hard work, discipline, frugality, integrity and self-sacrifice. He graduated from the University of the Philippines with a BS Chemical Engineering degree (cum laude). Ben Chua’s Chinese name was 'Chua Chieng Kiat', which means 'clean and upright.' Chua led the federation in many socio-civic projects, one of which was Operation Barrio Schools. This is the biggest private sector project of its kind supporting public education, with many small to medium Filipino Chinese entrepreneurs joining the big taipans in donating 2,800 public school buildings to the poorest barrios nationwide. Operation Barrio Schools was initiated due to the Chinese community’s belief that free enterprise and democracy can only thrive if a nation has social justice, a bigger middle-class, lower levels of mass poverty and democratic access to education." Iligan has been one of the beneficiaries of this laudable project.
Roger Suminguit, Batch '73
New Immigrant to Canada. The eldest son of alumni past president Manuel "Maning" Te, Maximillan Te (Batch '90), is now an immigrant and working in Canada. He graduated from the De La Salle University in Manila with a degree in B.S Physics. He is happily married to Cathlyn Ty of Cebu City.
Business in the Making.Vinson Ngo (Batch '83) recently opened a new car wash center in Iligan City called Xynyx Car Care Services along De Leon Street, Iligan City.
First Class Reunion in Thirty Years (Batch '72). Batch '72 is my nearest class. That's why way back in school days, all of them are my closest friends . Every time Mathelde Go-Ratunil came home after a year stint in Saudi Arabia, we gather in a simple get-together party at her newly completed residential house adjacent to the old LCHS campus. Those who attended the simple reunion party were Leonila "Inday" Rosario, Elaine Co-Bartolome, Cecilia Bernardo-Tablason, Glenda Sy-Cabilan, Gloria Lee, Betty Lee-Siangco, Reynaldo "Bonton" Suminguit, Carlos Tan, Prudencio "Wahoy" Tan, Jackson "Jackie" Wong. Among their classmates who were not around were Larry Sy-Handumon, Pokien Chan, Josefina Chua, Arlene Co (all residents of USA), Linda Ong-Galenzoga, Baybay, Leyte; Remedios Wong Ling and Gregorio Yu, Cebu City;. Eloisa Tamaño, IloIlo City; Robert "Dodong" Dychutee, Roberto" Henry" Lagrosas, Lily Soy, Conchita Cabanlit (all residents of Iligan City). Marilou Lim-Bordalba resides in Tabunok, Talisay City where she operates a bakery business. She is blessed with two children. Another classmate, Luzvelo "Titing" Dy, married with one child, is in town to attend his mother's birthday celebration last April 29. He spent his vacation with his brood, Anderson "Antik" and Walter who now works in Cebu City. Another brother, William Dy is working in Manila. Luzvelo is connected with a manufacturing firm in Manila.
Feedback
Mon, 29 Apr 2002 11:51:02 +0800
I just wanted to point out about the article on the new graduates.
Daniel Sy and Sandy Sy are both males. They were referred to as "she"
in that article .--Jonathan Mark N. Te, Dumaguete, Philippines,
e-mail: otan@eudoramail.com
[Thank you for pointing out our mistakes concerning the gender of Daniel and Sandy. No doubt such kind of mistakes will cause untold embarrassment especially to young men like them. Rest assured that the mistakes were unintentional. We will try to be more careful next time.—Editor]
May 2, 2002
The LCHS Alumni Association thru its President Vy Beng Hong would like
to thank the donors who made the acquisition of the PC easier for all of
us. He also would like to thank each and everyone of you who in one way
or another made Spectrum what it is today. --Teresita Racines,
MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology, Iligan, Philippines, e-mail: csm-tur@sulat.msuiit.edu.ph
Letter
of thanks
Please accept our heartfelt thanks for the kindness, sympathy, prayers
and condolences you have all expressed in our hour of grief and bereavement.
We all know the pain and the loss of our late father Mr. Tan Lam who was
laid to rest on April 13, 2002. The 40-day last prayer will be held at
the Tan Lam residence, Quezon Avenue Extension, Palao, Iligan City on May
17, 2002. We are requesting the relatives and friends for the prayer .--From
family and relatives of the late Tan Lam.
Report
from LCHS-AA President Beng Hong Vy
On April 18, 2002, the LCHS-AA officers unanimously approved a resolution authored by Suniel Lim which called for the purchase a set of computer system, including a modem, printer and flatbed scanner, for the use of the Spectrum in the production of each issue in Iligan at the estimated cost of P50,000.
The resolution takes cognizance of the difficulty and inconvenience on the part of the editor, Victor Chiu, who has to go to an Internet cafe to check mails and work on each issue of the Spectrum. Because there was no specific fund for the purchase of the computer set, it was proposed to borrow the amount from the membership fund and conduct a fund-raising campaign to replenish the amount borrowed. In a subsequent meeting, it was realized that the membership fund, being tied up in a fixed time deposit, was not available for disbursement. Suniel Lim verbally amended his resolution to borrow the amount from the general fund instead.
On May 8, 2002, the LCHS-AA purchased the computer set at the actual amount of P54,500 and turned it over to Victor Chiu on the same day.
On behalf of the LCHS-AA, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Leonardo Tan, Wilford Lim, Kho Siok We, Mike Lee, Charles Sy, Teresita Siao-Go, Ritky Chua Dy and family, Laureto Lao Capuyan and wife Elsie Tan and all those who support this undertaking for their generosity and enthusiastic response. —Beng Hong Vy, President, LCHS Alumni Association
Charles O. Sy, Batch '67
Congra-Chiu-lations
The best things in life are free. But in these difficult times, everybody will agree that the free things in life are best.-- ooo -- Many alumni are pleased with Victor Chiu's performance as Spectrum editor. They all came forward to congra-Chiu-late him.-- ooo -- A few alumni told me that Victor Chiu's assumption as Spectrum editor is in fact long overdue. Maybe so. But as far as Victor is concerned, it's never Chiu late to be an editor.-- ooo -- Roger Suminguit is what I call a band singer. His singing is banned in all karaoke bars.-- ooo -- Igdono Caracho, on the other hand, is what we all know as a rock singer. Whenever he sings, people throw rocks at him.-- ooo -- Our praises go to Suniel "Boy" Lim whose efforts made it possible for the LCHS-AA to acquire a PC for the use of the Spectrum in Iligan. Indeed, there's no Lim-it to what this Boy can do.-- ooo -- Loloy Tan was the first alumnus to contribute P5,000 to the Spectrum computer fund drive. That is Loloy's Tan-gible way of showing support for the Spectrum.-- ooo -- A Scotsman I met in a local pub refused to give me a categorical answer when I inquired if he still wears kilts. I guess he was trying to skirt the issue.-- ooo -- The reason why a certain period in European history has been referred to as the Dark Ages is because it was full of knights.-- ooo -- My good friend Fred Lai once sold me a bottle of Noni Juice. He was very convincing when he explained the benefits of this tonic drink. I bought the bottle knowing Fred would never tell a Lai.
50 Rules of Life and Living
Listed below are fifty (50) rules of life and living which I have learned as I traveled life’s many journeys the past fifty years. I have mastered some of them while I’m still trying my best to develop most others as I continue living this borrowed life loaned to me by my Creator. Here goes:
1. Begin and end your day with God.
2. Welcome each day with a smile. Thank God for the opportunity of being alive.
3. Pray from the heart. Share with God your agony and ecstasy. He is listening all the time, all the while, all the way.
4. Strive, strike, and never yield. Do more. Need less.
5. Remember friends and loved ones on their birthdays.
6. Smile often. Laugh a lot. Cry once in a while.
7. Dream big but don’t try to reach for the sky.
8. Learn to control your emotions. Smile though your heart is aching.
9. Be patient with your dealings.
10. Organize your day’s agenda. Don’t mix up things. Do one thing at a time.
11. Be a nature lover. Appreciate the rainbows and bluebirds in the sky.
12. Spend few minutes of your time everyday with yourself: meditate, recollect, and reflect.
13. Take time to smell the flowers.
14. Brisk walk. Don’t run. Chew food slowly. Life is not a contest.
15. Eat like a king for breakfast, a prince at lunch, and a pauper at dinner.
16. Say only nice things about people.
17. Don’t try to be a perfectionist in an imperfect world.
18. Live each day as it comes along.
19. Be a good instrument of God.
20. Think twice before you say or do things.
21. Avoid hurting people. Reconstruct your sentences. Modify the tone of your voice.
22. Stay calm amidst anger or turbulence.
23. Take care of your heart. It’s the only one you’ve got. We only live once.
24. Live for today. Tomorrow may not come.
25. Be a happy person. Spread joy and happiness to all people, regardless of creed and color.
26. Don’t expect too much from life.
27. Presume and assume nothing.
28. Focus more on the positive side of things rather than the negative.
29. Listen more. Talk less. Give the benefits of the doubts.
30. Accept people for what they are and not for what you want them to be. Be on good terms with all people.
31. Come to terms with yourself. Accept your faults, shortcomings, inadequacies, and imperfections. Don’t be a Jack-of-all-trades.
32. Don’t mix business with pleasure.
33. Follow the Boy Scout’s motto: Be prepared always.
34. Make your past a gateway to your present, and your present a gateway to your future.
35. Eat and drink moderately and be merry.
36. Reach out to others and share life’s blessings.
37. When you’re in the Philippines, live like a Filipino.
38. Enjoy what little you have in life. Don’t try to ask for more.
39. Be grateful for little or big favors done by friends in the past.
40. Always look back as to who you were or where you’ve been before. Don’t be unreachably proud. We are all but passing visitors on a limited tourist visa.
41. Count not the years added to your life but the life added to your years.
42. Spend a quantity of quality time with your kids. Youth happens just once in a lifetime.
43. Don’t compare yourself with others.
44. Enjoy the fruit of your labor. You deserve it.
45. Celebrate special occasions with your loved ones. Create memories for the future.
46. Believe that nothing will happen to you today that God and you cannot handle together.
47. Grow old gracefully with time.
48. Make the most out of life while you’re still alive and able. Live life to the fullest. Strive to be happy.
49. Be at peace with God and the world.
50. Do your best in everything so that when the final curtain falls, you can tell yourself: “It’s been such a wonderful journey. Thank you, Lord, for friends and good times together.”
Taurus: Thaw, Roast
In feverish effort, I rummaged through absorbing piles of horoscope and astrology pamphlets to investigate the quirky combo of reliability, statistical chance and plain truth behind the addictive strength of such fancy, amusing bibles for the lazy minds. These sensational, sometimes comical clips - conceived out of the planetary alignment, myths and folklores of eons ago - have transfused twitchy juices into a throng of fanatics with so much idle times to spare. Will my expedition into the realm of stars' and moon's enchanting fun conclude as a waste of breath, a sigh of "What a crashing bore"or simply, a thrill ride in unearthing a treasure chest of gripping surprises?
First off, my pampered butt couldn't be rattled by such proclamation as "I'm a mammal who is stubborn as a mule, a tough nut to crack anytime I am maneuvered into a direction that's against an established commandment. Likewise, I evolved from a mold ofcritters with Zen-like calm when pinned down in scenarios where I recognize the typical vibrations of the the escape ladders. As an illustration, no alarm from my panic buttons when, at the very last minute, I'm instructed by my superior to dazzle medicalstudents in the art of sleeping and waking up (I mean, Anesthesiology). It is a familiar terrain where I know too well all the exit doors. Blindfolded! That I'm of the persuasion who feels snug as a bug in a rug and deaf as a stone when trashed in no-brainer entertainments, like being glued on TV sitcoms stocked with bags of potato chips and soda. On the otherhand, I can be a ticking time bomb when my patience is challenged and trespassed, intimidated to wage war and echo "The only thing off-limit is limit!"
Being a holder of a Taurus belt (May 8) and a documented Ox (1949) in the Chinese animal kingdom, my eyes bolted out of their respective sockets upon analyzing, line by line, punctuation marks and exclamation points, some stunning entries about the personality profile of a Taurean. Most data (honest,loyal, sincere, stubborn...) have already achieved verified facts-status in my birthday shell. What emitted a new twinkle was the declaration that Taureans are dynamos when it comes to battery-propelled pursuits, games that demand utter glandular convulsion (all forms! Opps!). Example: When a Taurus heart learns to smile out of a dearest one's cooing fascination and bouyant whispers, his/her pacer dedicates an all-out devotion and passion to the philantropist of those magical wonders. Really? Really. This wonderfully charming spin encompasses everything that steamed out of love and romance (yes, including those!). Have you savored the dizzying rushes of delight in the sexual connotation "horny as a toad"? If you saw your first lights between April 20-May 20, you may want to reboot your chemicals to discover firsthand the nirvana in this popular expression. Be aware though, in order to keep on going, going and more of the same going, you need to trade punches and blows (opps) with any Zodiac Signs other than Capricorn. Best if swapped with another Bull (www.astrology.com for detailed narratives and teases).
This brings me to the main inspiration of this article: Bounce with a bird of the same or compatible feathers and you will soar to high heavens. Never to look back. Would you like to fly in my pretty balloon? Up, up and away.
Fidel L. Fuertes, former LCHS teacher
Masao or Limasawa?
The following account is so amazing that I am quoting it word for word:
“From Guam, Magellan continued his voyage westward. At dawn of Saturday, March 16, 1521, he saw above the horizon the towering heights of Samar. This was the rediscovery of the Philippines.
“The following day Magellan landed on the small uninhabited islet of Homonhon at the mouth of Leyte Gulf. On March 18, nine friendly Filipinos from the neighboring island of Saluan arrived in a boat and hospitably gave their cargo of bananas, fish, coconuts and palm wine to Magellan. They were the first Filipinos seen by the Spaniards.
“In the afternoon of Monday, March 25, 1521, Magellan left Homonhon. Due to a storm, he was forced to sail south, along the northeast tip of Mindanao towards Butuan Bay, which provided a shelter from the typhoon. On Holy Thursday, March 28, the fleet landed in Masao, Butuan, Agusan del Norte, a fertile, heavily-forested, and mountainous kingdom ruled by a rich king named Raha Kolambu. At the time of Magellan’s arrival, Kolambu was hunting with his brother, Raha Siagu (Siaui), the king of Butuan.
“Kolambu welcomed Magellan. They made a blood compact on Good Friday, March 29, 1521, to seal their new friendship and brotherhood. This was the first recorded blood compact in the annals of the country.
“On Easter Sunday, March 31, 1521, a Mass was held on Masao’s shore. It was the first Catholic Mass held in the Philippines. It was officiated by the Rev. Pedro de Valderrama, fleet chaplain, and was attended by Magellan, Kings Kolambu and Siago, Spanish voyagers and Filipinos.
“After the Mass, Magellan entertained the people of Masao to a spectacular display of European tournament staged by the best swordsmen of his expedition. The people marveled at the visitors’ skills with their weapons.
“At sundown of the same day, Magellan, in the presence of Spaniards and Filipinos, solemnly planted a large wooden cross on the summit of a hill overlooking the sea. He took possession of the land in the name of Spain. He named the country the ‘Archipelago of St. Lazarus’. Pigafetta, an eyewitness of the event, said: ‘After the cross was erected in position, each of us repeated a Pater Noster and an Ave Maria, and adored the cross; and the kings did the same.’
“Magellan’s men helped the people of Masao in harvesting their rice. The harvest over, King Kolambu piloted to fleet to Cebu, a flourishing kingdom under Raha Humabon. At that time Cebu was already and entrepot of Oriental trade. Magellan met there a Siamese trader.” (The Philippines: A Unique Nation by Dr. Sonia M. Zaide, Centennial Edition.)
I was surprised to read that Magellan landed in Masao, Butuan. All my professional life, I taught that the first Catholic Mass in the Philippines was held in Limasawa, a small tadpole-shaped island south of Leyte. The textbook that we used way back in 1960, authored by Dr. Gregorio F. Zaide (Sonia’s father), also taught that Magellan landed in Limasawa. What convinced Dr. Sonia M. Zaide to stake out and risk her reputation and go against this long-held belief?
Apparently, Dr. Sonia M. Zaide was convinced of the following arguments:
Old claim – In 1872, a Spanish district governor erected a marble monument at Magallanes, then the center of Butuan, to celebrate Magellan’s arrival and commemorate the first Mass in the Philippines.
Developed settlement – Careful research has shown that Masao, rather than Limasawa, is the more appropriate site that can fulfill the original descriptions of Antonio Pigafetta and other sixteenth-century chroniclers of the voyage. In this ancient settlement were abundant gold, plant and animal life, with cultivated rice fields, dense forests and marches, a rich trading community, and good anchorage.
Houses on stilts – The natives of Masao built their houses on stilts as originally described whereas the natives of Limasawa built low house due to frequent typhoons in the area.
The balanhai – This sea-going craft was the prominent feature of the story of their stay in the kingdom. It was said that the king came to their ship in a balanghai, and Pigafetta and his companions attended a party in a ritual balanghai with the local king. Butuan is now the site of at least nine excavated balanghai relics. By contrast, Limasawa has no significant archaeological relics or balanghai tradition.
The latitude position – Some of the primary sources locate the place at 9 degrees North latitude, and others at 9 & 2/3 degrees. This latitude position eliminates Limasawa, because it is closer by ten degrees, and strengthens the claim of Masao, Butuan because it is exactly at 9 degrees.
The name of the place - In all the primary sources, including the diary of Antonio Pigafetta, the chronicler of Magellan’s voyage, the name of the place was written in three syllables: “Masao” or something close to it. Limasawa has four syllables and begins with another letter.
Are you convinced by the arguments of the advocates for Masao? In the exercise of academic freedom, this controversy has been debated in schools, government offices and other venues.
But the government was not swayed by all these arguments. In 1994, then President Fidel V. Ramos approved the law (Republic Act No. 7822) declaring Limasawa as a tourist zone. And thirty-four years earlier, Magallanes Village, believed to be the site of the first Mass, was declared a national shrine. In 1998, the National Historical Institute (NHI) ruled on the controversy surrounding the first Mass in the Philippines, which was the first recorded meeting of Eastern and Western cultures. In its ruling, the NHI said, “Wherefore, it is the considered view of the panel that, upon preponderance of evidence culled from primary sources, the first ever Christian Mass on Philippine soil on March 31, 1521 was celebrated in the island of Limasawa, South of Leyte.” The NHI panel was composed of Supreme Court justices and lawyers led by retired Justice Emilio Gancayco.
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My Experience in London
By Rene Tio
Batch 1970
In my recent trip to Europe, I discovered that not everything is as great as it is pictured to be in postcards and glossy travel brochures. Take example of my experience in London.
When
we arrived at Heathrow Airport of London, I was disappointed with its look
at Terminal 3, especially after an overnight stop in flashy and new city--
like Singapore, and spending some time in Changi Airport which, for me,
is by far the best airport I have been to. Not even in America nor Hong
Kong's new British designed and built Chek Lap Kok Airport can compare.
Heathrow's arrival terminal needs a major renovation, I should say, as
this is the first step for most people visiting London!
My wife and I were booked for a 19-day Europe (covering France, Monaco, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Holland, and Belgium) tour with the Trafalgar Tours, a London based tour company, represented by Philippine's Pan Pacific Travels Corporation as their general sales agent. "Arriving in a foreign city can be a daunting and bewildering experience--but not when you travel with Trafalgar. We've taken the anxiety and stress out of this most important first stage of your holiday, because when you arrive in London, Trafalgar will be on hand at the airport to meet and greet you.", so its glossy tour brochure says so.
At our arrival in Heathrow Airport, we encountered a problem, that of our hotel transfer. Again, unlike Singapore's efficiency and dedication to serve tourists (We zipped in and out of its airport- Singapore's StopOver promo packaged with cheap and fine hotel accommodation is working!), we were tourists lost in a strange land for a while. The advice at arrival in our tour voucher did not tally with actual condition. We were supposed to be met by a tour representative, imagining he or she must be sporting in their smartly company prescribed coat and tie, holding a board with our names on, and readily shake our hands to welcome us! But we wasted our first few hours in London at the airport, under jetlag condition, trying to locate any representative so we could be transferred to our hotel, wash up and get ready for bed after the long hour of flight covering different continent. Alas, we found something of Trafalgar, a counter desk, which was unmanned, confounded the situation with an erroneous instruction sign. It said nothing but to call their office telephone for any problem. Alright, we called them up through a public phone. Thanks, it accepted my VISA card as I had no British pence (what pence! it charged me 1GBR per call and I called two numbers without success!). Nobody was answering, perhaps it was evening and on a weekend. (Now is the time to PANIC!) Only patience, resourcefulness, and the airport information counter's help, gave us guidance on Trafalgar's airport transfer method -- that was through an unknown (to us) "Airport Link Shuttle Bus Co.," which I learned eventually, was a subcontractor-- to transport all clients to their respective hotels!
Finally, at our hotel concierge counter, (there you are!) a letter addressed to us, "Welcome to London!" signed-- Trafalgar. It was like saying: Congratulations! You have passed the first test. Now for things to do for departure to France tomorrow: Wake up call 5:30AM, place luggage outside your room by 6:30AM ... blah, blah, blah.
It was a grandiose tour of Europe, (Thanks to Trafalgar, with 50 years proven travel experience, they are splendid after all!) time to go back to London, where we extended our stay, discovering the city on our own. Then came time to leave London through Heathrow airport again. After my appreciations and had forgotten our arrival tribulation, Trafalgar muddled the transfer again by changing the arrangement and refusing (9 Filipinos and more Australians made representations at their office) to honor the voucher for seat-in-coach direct from hotel to airport transport issued by their respective official tour agents. Where was the goodwill gone? We had to find our own way by taking taxi to reach the instructed designated city terminal, The Paddington Railway Station, and to check in our luggage there, then transfer by direct-link-train to Heathrow. Circuitous and confused? Is this a British waggery on tourists, in finding their way to get on board a flight on time? For most people, this is stressful puzzle just to get to the airport! I thought British are known for efficiency and dedication, at least my impression didn't register. Only Singapore and Hong Kong, among others of their former colonies, passed, and to think they got these traits from the British themselves. Good students, poor teachers!
However, this doesn't reflect on all British, just the Trafalgar Tours -- the company, because I had good encounterrs with the British people -- noticeably soft spoken, kind, and helpful. One time we got inside a typical movie-like English pub, a stranger, actually a customer, approached our table and helped us with the system (sans any waiter service), on how to order and get our foods. (Alright! Thank you, how very kind of you!) Ask any Londoner on the street for direction, they are more than willing to stop and really listen to an Asian looking stranger like me and help out in kindly manner. Matter of factly, everything in London ran smoothly and with efficiency. The more time I spent in London, the more I understood how and why Singapore and HK as city-state, prospered. Now I am returning the credit that they deserve!
While in London, we had the chance to tour the city at our own pace. I particularly enjoyed the visit at the Buckingham Palace for the changing of the guards. The kid in me just got rejuvenated with the marching of the band. The guards, in their resplendent redcoats, caught me in awe with their steps. And there was a cavalry of guards on horseback in their flashing armor and drawn swords, coming in from another direction. Wow! I remembered the quote, "Knights in their shinning armor!" And the bagpipe troupe marching from opposite direction into the gate and to the Palace ground. Everything just got rolling in thundering magnificence, a deluge of event, in masterful rhythm of British precision! Yes, like the British troops' advances in waves that defeated Napoleon Bonaparte at Waterloo! My heart just kept on pounding harder every time. I didn't know where to look, running with my videocam and backpack, moving about within a huge crowd of tourist from one place to another. Yes, one position was not enough to observe the whole regalia! This whole event had me more than I can do in a gym's workout! On the way back to our hotel, via the Tube (as they call their subway mass transit), I had to call it a day, this was our last day in London-- quite satisfied and settled. Got to prepare for our return to Heathrow and our long way back home to my beloved Philippines -- conditioning myself to watch instead, the parade of tricycles and trisikad on our streets! Long gone are our kalesas. What a way to conclude our European tour!
Let me add with this special thanksgiving to God: London is known for rain (Englishmen with umbrellas), dumpiness whole year round, fog, and gloomy skies. Yet, in our 3 days in London, in fact-- the whole 19-day tour of Europe, we had generally fine weather, sunshine, and full moon evening! as we sipped wine and dined, admiring the view of French Riviera at one of its oldest fortified villages, perched above the Mediterranean coastline like an eagle's nest, 'Le Cheval Blanc'. And the snow-capped Alps were radiant in Austria and Switzerland! Visibly pleased by such extraordinary weather, when our tour coach arrived back in England after traveling some 6,300 km loop around Europe, our Trafalgar tour director heralded, gesturing toward the London sky, in jest and irony: "And so Her Majesty's Kingdom has sunshine 365 days a year (bragging)," then added, "only most of the time, the sun hovers above the overcast clouds!".
Next time, when I am in the mood, I will talk about Le Paris! Au revoir.
A Few Words of Thanks
We cannot close this
issue without saying a few words of thanks. Thanks to Suniel Lim for recognizing
our needs and for initiating the move to acquire a computer system for
the Spectrum. Thanks to Beng Hong Vy and all alumni officers
for their all-out support. Thanks to Leonardo Tan, Wilford Lim, Mike
Lee, Kho Siok We, Charles Sy, Teresita Siao-Go, Ritky Chua Dy and his family,
Laureto Lao Capuyan and his wife Elsie Tan for their generosity and enthusiastic
response. Thanks to our friends for their encouragement and support
in this undertaking. And thanks to God for giving us freedom from
apathy and indifference.—The Spectrum Editorial Staff.
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