Vol. 6, No. 19, December 23, 2002

By any standards, during the Christmas holiday it can readily qualify as an apt illustration of a common gasp of despair known to mankind: Sighing "my worst nightmare realized!" You watch the inexplicably glowing glint in a loved one's eyes as she strips off your overly Scotch-taped present, only to witness her initial purring enthusiasm come to an abrupt halt with the sight of a boxed chocolate assortment that is a curse to her dietary regimen.

Oh well, with the Yuletide air thick and heavy, the joyful season of giving and receiving is stomping loudly in the corner.  As such, the probability of having unwanted packages land on your laps is statistically higher than having snores dominate your sleep pattern. We have all been trapped in these circumstances before.  The same scene replays with fresh disgust: We wrap gifts for a dearly beloved, only to observe his eyeballs drum up a stirring seizure swing over the sweatshirt-gift you thought could warm up his heart.  The pathetic part, the very same item gets a shuttle service the following year to another kin who duplicates the same number of grimace folds in his forehead.  Worse, your past handout does a 360-degree I-shall-return MacArthur pledge -- your original bitter pill is redirected to your camp by accident.  Guess that is why we have crawl spaces and storage room in the house solely for incidental junk.  Real sad. Real true.

Instead of feeling the flame licking our toes from all the commotion of choosing the perfect bundle of joy to give someone, perhaps we need to redefine Christmas along the realm of spiritual significance. This is, after all, the time when we celebrate Christ birthday, the manger Infant who eventually surrendered His life in the name of love for all of us.  Maybe, like the baby Jesus who was nurtured and protected by His mother, we nurture our own kids with stories and revelations of our faith which can be "unwrapped" in simple ways.  We can set ourselves as good examples in our family circle. Let us not forget our Sunday worship obligation.  Or be generous to those who need the most, especially children who have no toys to light sparkles in their lives.  Again, Christmas punctuates the observance of the amazing gift of God's love incarnate in the holy Newborn in Bethlehem one starry December night.  All are the children of God.  The ones from our blood, the boys and girls in our neighborhood, our community and other regions.  If you unknowingly reverse the letter "m" in the song "Christmas Love", the message protrudes clearly:  ChristWas Love.

Share and be merry.  Inside and out.

EU embassy reopens;
Australia, Canada to follow

The European Union (EU) has reopened its embassy in Manila as Canada and Australia announced plans to reopen their embassies on December 30 and January 2, 2003, respectively.  The Australian and Canadian missions, both housed in separate office towers, closed their doors on November 28 amid reports of a terror plot against specific embassies and foreign nationalities. The EU office, which is located in the same building as the Australian embassy, also shut down as a security precaution.  After Canada lifted travel restrictions on Canadians to the Philippines, Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said  that the decision to reopen the embassy on January 2 was based on an assessment that the specific threat against the mission had now passed.

NSC creditors, shareholders
form special purpose vehicle

Creditors and shareholders of National Steel Corp. have incorporated Philippine Newsteel Industry Inc., the special purpose vehicle that would take over the operating assets of the beleaguered steel firm in line with a memorandum of agreement recently signed by its creditors and shareholders.  The establishment of Philippine Newsteel is one of the steps taken to revive the operations of NSC (in photo). The new company will decide whether to sell, lease or operate on it own NSC's Iligan plant and other vital operating assets.  Under the MOA, secured creditors of NSC will convert 16 billion pesos out of their 18 billion in outstanding loans to NSC, into an 80-percent stake in the special purpose vehicle, while the remaining 20 percent stake will be held largely by NSC's majority shareholder, Hottick Investments Ltd.  NSC's minority shareholders, specifically the state-owned National Development Co. and Marubeni Corp. of Japan, have agreed to have their stake in the SPV diluted on a pro-rata basis.  Philippine Newsteel will assume the two-billion peso remaining loans of NSC but the payment of which will still be subject to the cash inflows of the new company and the sale of some of NSC's assets.

Women’s groups back people’s
initiative to legislate water rates

The issue on water and its accessibility to consumers topped the meeting of around a hundred women leaders from 44 barangays, non-governmental institutions and professionals last week in Iligan City.  The new water rates, fees and charges collected by the Iligan City Water System (ICWS) under Ordinance No. 01-4034, increased the water rate from 50 centavos to P6 pesos per cubic meter.  Local consumers objected to the rate increase, saying the rates were unjust, excessive, oppressive and confiscatory.  “We will support the signature campaign for a lower water rate because women as prime user of water in the households, would prefer less costly consumption,” said Nitz Sescon, vice chair of the Mindanao Commission of Women -- Iligan chapter (MindCom -- Iligan).  Using the Local Initiative and Referendum Law, the group drafted a bill and submitted to the City Council "An Ordinance Imposing New Rates, Charges or Fees to be Collected from the Consumers of Water Distributed by the ICWS creating the waterworks system and development trust fund and for other related purposes."

The People's Initiative asked the City Council to adopt a minimum rate of P1.50 per cubic meter for residential, government, hospital and non-profit institutions. It also recommended P3 per cubic meter of minimum water usage for commercial and industrial water subscribers.  It also said revenues collected from the proposed rates will be deposited in a bank as a Trust Fund and used solely and exclusively for maintenance and operation of the ICWS, payment for its loan amortization and for the expansion and development of water source and distribution.  Lawyer Moises Dalisay said “what is good about the establishment of a Trust Fund for the collected water fees is that the money will not be diverted to other purpose and that it will be used exclusively for the ICWS. This will make the institution self-liquidating and not dependent to the subsidies of the local government which amounts to P26 to P32 million annually.”

Domocao Alonto, 92
Former Senator Domocao Alonto, the principal author behind the creation of the Mindanao State University (MSU), died in his sleep at around 6:00  p.m. on Wednesday, December 11, at the age of 92.  Alonto, the lone Muslim in the Senate from 1955 to 1961, died of old age at his residence in Kota, Marawi City. He was buried at around 1:00  p.m. on December 12 after the salatul janaza (prayer for the dead) at the Luhr (Muslim's noon prayer) at the city's Islamic Center, one of the biggest mosques in Southeast Asia that the late Senator had built. Alonto was elected to the Senate in November 1955 along with Claro M. Recto, Francisco "Soc" Rodrigo, Decoroso Rosales, Pedro Sabido, Lorenzo Sumulong, Quintin Paredes and Roseller T. Lim.

Roger Suminguit, Batch '73

Alumni whereabouts

Seen in Cebu City recently was Johnson Dy (Batch '64), in photo at left.  He flew in from Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A. with his wife, Irenea Dy, to grace the wedding of his nephew-in-law, Turtle Tolentino, last Dec. 8.  Turtle is the son of Tertullano and Chu Bin Tolentino of Cebu City.  Caroline Jean Sy (Batch '98), in photo at right, is now connected with Philosophy Lifestyle Studio, a new shop in Cebu City specializing in modern interior concepts and designs.  Caroline works as design consultant of Philosophy Lifestyle Studio where she helps conceptualize a new space with an eclectic range of trendy furniture and accessories for one's homes and offices.  Caroline is the daughter of Aurora Ong-Sy (Batch '66) and Samson Sy.  Also spotted in Cebu on a brief stopover was Sherlita Racines (Batch '77), one of this year's silver jubilarians, in photo at center.  She breezed into town from the resort island of Boracay last Dec. 19 where she spent a few days of fun in the sun with her colleagues from the National Power Corp. (Napocor).  Sherlita is connected with the accounting department of Napocor in Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City.  Previous to her employment with Napocor, she was connected with the office of Franklin Siao (Batch '62) at the National Steel Corp. before its closure in 1999.

Congratulations to Tiaolito Ruben Lee (Batch ’68) for having been elected as Chapter President of Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Lanao del Norte Chapter for the year 2003.  Ruben, a cum laude graduate from the University of San Jose-Recoletos, is one person who never shirks from responsibility. Yet, in spite of this added burden to his already hectic schedule as a practicing CPA and manager of Trendline, Ruben finds time to spend “happy hours” with Calix Tan (Batch ’57), Allen Co (Batch 57) and friends.  On weekends, he never neglects to play with his “paboritong apo” -- Ayanna and Tom-Tom.

Christmas parties here and abroad

Last Saturday, Dec. 21, in Southern California, the Iligan City & Lanao del Norte Association of Southern California held a Christmas “potluck” party at the residence of Montano and Elena Padilla at 133 Buckingham Avenue, San Dimas, California, U.S.A.  All who attended the party brought their favorite dishes, soda drinks, Christmas gifts and bundles of used clothing and non-perishable goods for the “Home for the Aged” in Canaway, Iligan City. With the presence of Mimi Brown, Evelyn Tamula, Bernice Maturan, Melody Solmayor, Judy Padilla, Vicky Bryson, Lota Castillo, Julie Brooks, Ester Nery, Lorna Mangquiquis, Lenard Castillo and friends, Tano’s place seemed to have been magically transported to Mercado St. in our old hometown.

In New Jersey, the Iligan Bay Civic Association (ILBACA) Eastern U.S.A. is inviting all former residents of Iligan, neighboring cities and towns along Iligan Bay Region to celebrate Christmas and New Year holidays on December 28, 2002, Saturday, 5:30-11:00 p.m. at the Yankee Buffet & International Restaurant, 2660 Morris Avenue, Union, New Jersey 07083, Tel. nos. 908-688-8816. There will be a happy hour, exchanging gifts, adult/children fun games, raffles and dancing.  Come in casual attire.  Contact persons: Elvie "Kiang" Gaite -- 38 Rotunda Lane, South River, NJ 08882, tel. nos. 732-322-7874 or 732-698-1509; Diana/Boy Llagas -- 1060 Reeves Ter., Union, NJ 07083, tel. nos. 908-851-9065 or 908-265-6850; and Dodo/Ning Monsanto -- 31 Valleyview Rd., Hillside, NJ 07208, tel. nos. 908-355-4947 or 908-500-1364.

Of course, in Iligan, we never end the year without a bang.  So, folks, come to our Christmas party on the night of December 30 at LCHS gym, Lluch Park, Palao, Iligan City.  There, waiting for you, will be a thousand and one delights concocted by Dr. Bunz and our culinary artists.  You will surely be entertained by the Christmas presentations prepared by alumni president Vy Beng Hong and supported by all the board members.  Come and see how James Booc will pick up the winners of our Christmas raffle draw.  Who knows what surprises await you?

Charles O. Sy, Batch '67

Last week my friend Mary Jane Sison sent me a Christmas card with this message: Sison's Greetings! -- ooo -- I responded by sending her a card with the message: Mary Christmas! -- ooo -- The three stages of life:  You believe in Santa Claus.  You don't believe in Santa Claus.  You are Santa Claus. -- ooo -- Stephanie Sia, the daughter of Charito Go-Sia, is an ophthalmologist.  Here's one doctor with whom you can see eye-to-eye. -- ooo -- Now pursuing a successful career as E-N-T specialist in Cebu is Arthur Dy.  I can imagine him grinning from ear to ear. -- ooo -- I have a friend who's mad at his doctor because the doctor told him that he has acute appendicitis.  "I went to see the doctor to be examined, not to be flattered," he said. -- ooo -- An American named Richard Well was reported to have run off and left behind a pile of debts in Cebu.  The police chief should tell his men to get Well soon. -- ooo -- When I visited the Lytz Rhythm & Piano Bar in Iligan, the receptionist showed me to my seat and said, "Welcome, Sir, and Lytz have some fun." -- ooo -- The LCHS-AA is offering Nokia cell phones as major prizes for its Christmas raffle this Dec. 30. This is a smart cells strategy.  Cell phones are the hottest consumer items these days. This year's raffle tickets should be celling like hot cakes. -- ooo -- Spectrum reader Phil Cuthbert, in our letter section last issue, wrote of his interest to acquire the mounted bird specimens displayed at the LCHS lab. These are preserved items from the old LCHS lab which now form part of LCHS collection of artifacts.  We regret to inform Phil Cuthbert that the items are not for sale but it makes us Phil good to know there's someone like him who appreciates our collections. -- ooo -- Postscript:  We learned from James Booc that Jose Chu of IligaNet has offered his services to update the LCHS alumni home page.  We are grateful to Jose Chu for his concern.  Henceforth, alumni who have additional information for the home page may address their inputs directly to Jose Chu at siote@iligan.com.  The LCHS home page, hosted by IligaNet, should not be confused with the Spectrum home page which is still administered by us in the Spectrum staff.   The Spectrum home page is now separated from the LCHS alumni web site.  The Spectrum web site is now hosted by GeoCities, U.S.A., and is updated with each new issue of the Spectrum.

Christmas time (then) ... During my younger days we seldom get gifts under our tree.  So early on even if we believe that there’s a Santa, we’ve already accepted the fact that he couldn’t possibly drop by our house.  For one thing, how could he find a small place like Iligan City, much more find a small house like ours?  And we don’t have a fireplace, we don’t have a chimney where he could come down to.  So back then Christmas for us wasn’t about gifts.  It meant a few days off from school.  It meant crispy bills from Mama and Papa inside those white envelopes.  It may be a couple of 10 pesos or 20’s, it really doesn’t matter to us, as long as it’s all those crisp and new.  On Christmas Eve after we hear mass we’d have a simple dinner. And then we’d all crowd around the TV and watched the videos Little Lulu and Raggedy Ann.  Every year it was the same routine, even the cartoon show never changed.  For us, every year was the best Christmas.

Christmas time (now) ... Now, being a parent myself I try everything I can to show the magic of the season to my kids.  We prepare the whole enchilada, we put up lights all over the house, put up our Christmas tree, hang wreaths and hang our lantern.  While all these twinkling light bulbs are making my kids excited and probably dizzy.  I had a hard time feeling the spirit of Christmas until one morning.  As I was driving out of our subdivision, I saw two kittens sleeping huddled together.  For hours the picture of those kittens would always flash through my head.  I’m somehow reminded of how Christmas used to be.  How Christmas used to be simpler and less stressful.  I missed those Christmas when we’d look forward to my sister Jojo to come home from Cebu. Just to feel that we’re complete is already Christmas for us.

I should remind myself that Christmas should be a time to get together, to see the people we love and the people who loves us.  Somehow the shopping-tide instead of the Yuletide cheer catches us all, that we’d lose sight of the real meaning and significance of the season.

Now I realized that I should be thankful that Christmas brings this school break.  I can consider this my Christmas gift for myself.  I can’t wait for those endless hours I can spend with my kids just playing cards all through the night or dancing to the tune of the Bee Gees.  No homework to think about, no exams to worry about, and we can all sleep past our bedtime. More time to be together.  More time to be with my own circus.

Now, I’m more convinced that going home to Iligan even for just a few days is worth all the hullabaloo of dragging and packing for three kids. Because it’s another chance to be around the people who means most.  The people I’d rather be with on this most special season of the year.  Merry Christmas to all of you!
 

BATCH 1990
Catherine Andaquig, Taiwan; Romeo Jay Babatido, Manticao, Laga-it, Misamis Oriental; Sheena Bernardo, Gerona Highway, Tambo, Iligan City, tel. 221-2284; Evelyn Booc, Quezon Ave. Ext., Pala-o, Iligan City, tel. 221-5541; Cristina Dy-Carlos, Cherry Del Carmen, Iligan City; Aileen Dy Pico, Dy Pico Drug Store, Bayug, Iligan City, tel. 221-5658, cell 0917-5311283; Lucia Lacasan, Philam Life, Iligan City; Cherrie Anne Lim, c/o 0013 Gagara St., Ma. Cristina Subd., Brgy. San Miguel, Iligan City, tel. 221-6773; Harold Ian Paciente, Butuan City; Beverly Romano, c/o LCHS, Pala-o, Iligan City; Clair Ann Salud, Manila; Wenefredo Sawit, Bayug, Iligan City; Rudeliza Soy, Purok 3, Saray, Iligan City; Teena Karen Siao, c/o Krisland Commercial Corp., J. Luna St., Iligan City, tel. 221-5692; Christopher Tan, 612 B. Labao Ext., Iligan City, tel. 221-6499, cell 0917-7162506; Ramil Tan, Cheding Store, 25A Sabayle St., Iligan City, tel. 221-5169; and Maximilian Te, Manila, e-mail: maximte@yahoo.com.

The Spectrum staff wishes  all LCHS alumni, its readers and sponsors a Merry Christmas!