Vol. 11, No. 23, Mar. 3, 2008

Preparations for the 3rd LCHS Grand Alumni Homecoming (GAH) have started to pick up steam with the mobilization of key committees. The Ways & Means Committee, spearheaded by Suniel Lim and Geraldine Tan, announced at the board meeting last Feb. 20 that ad solicitation letters have been dispatched to selected alumni. The Secretariat, headed by Marie Joan Quidlat, will soon call an organizational meeting with the coordinators for dissemination of GAH info to their respective batch members.

The Steering Committee also announced that the GAH registration fee is set at P1,200. Early birds who register within the pre-registration period shall each be entitled to a free specially designed polo shirt. Its design is different from the souvenir t-shirts that will be on sale during the GAH. Last day for pre-registration is April 15, 2008.  The registration kit will include the souvenir program and bag. A scheme offering discounted rate is being studied for the benefit of new alumni belonging to batches from 2003 to 2008. The discounted rate will not include free bag and souvenir program.

Preparations for the publication of the souvenir program are likewise underway. Main feature of the souvenir program will be batch pictorials instead of the usual list of batch members.  The pictorials shall consist of recent group pictures representing the batch concerned.  They could be photos of birthday parties, weddings, baptismals, reunions, or other occasions with a number of batch members in attendance. These should be photos of events that transpired from 2005 (after the second GAH) to the present. All batches are enjoined to submit their photos including captions as soon as possible to: lanhua.alumni@gmail.com. The souvenir program will also feature articles relevant to LCHS or the LCHS community by Spectrum writers, and pictorial flashback of the 2nd GAH held in July 2005.

Meanwhile, the LCHSAA acknowledges with thanks the help of the ff.: (1) LCHS for allowing the LCHSAA computer to connect to their network and eventually to the internet; (2) Jose "Siote" Chu ('82) for donating an 8-port hub that was used to connect the LCHSAA computer to LCHS network; and (3) Samuel 'Soylong' Padayhag Chock ('83) for rendering free service in installing the additional double-lock at our LCHSAA office.

3rd GAH registration form & fliers

The registration form and fliers of the 3rd LCHS Grand Alumni Homecoming are now available.  The forms shall be emailed to interested alumni upon request.  Your request may be addressed to the Spectrum at: lchsspectrum@yahoo.com; or to GAH Chair Johnny Chen at: akula88ynnhoj@yahoo.com.  The forms are in PDF format.  Meanwhile, the initial schedule of the GAH2008 activities has likewise been released by the GAH Steering Committee.  It is availble on this page of this issue.

GAH2008
Initial program of activities

The 3GAH Steering Committee has released the program of activities for the 3rd LCHS Grand Alumni Homecoming scheduled on May 23-24, 2008.  This is still the initial program of activities and is subject to further enhancements and modifications. The activities are:

May 23, morning: A short motorcade, followed by the opening ceremonies at the LCHS gym with the traditional dragon dance. On-site registration will be open at the LCHS gym for the duration of the GAH. Afternoon: A mini-fair at the LCHS grounds featuring various entertainment fares, such as magic tricks, board games, and perya games. Evening: "Fiesta Night" with dinner starting at 6:30 p.m. till 9:00 p.m. After dinner, firecrackers will signal the start of entertainment fares featuring cultural dances and song numbers by LCHS students and alumni. There will also be a variety of entertainment numbers by professional performers.  Still being contemplated is the plan to invite some members of the Tribu Iliganon to present its award-winning "Kasadya" dance.

May 24, afternoon: LCHS-AA Plenum at the LCHS Audio-Visual Room at 3:00 p.m.  Snacks will be served.  The agenda as well as proposed resolutions are being finalized.  Evening: "Gala Night" with formal dinner at 6:30 p.m., Elena Tower Inn. Band music and dance will culminate the affair.

Congrats to Calix Tan
Sat, 23 Feb 2008 7:35:17 AM
From Mary Dawn Tan Co, M.D. (daughter of Aurora Tansiokhian, M.D., Batch '58), U.S.A.; email: Marydawn.Co@umassmed.edu

To the Spectrum staff and especially Roger Suminguit (Batch '73): I wanted to thank you for highlighting the selection of my uncle, Engr. Calixto H. Tan (Batch '57) as one of the Outstanding Alumni of St. Peter's College (SPC) on the occasion of the college's 56th anniversary. Our whole family wants to congratulate him on this honor. We are so proud of him. Way to go, Uncle Haipin!

Greetings from U.S.A.
Wed, 27 Feb 2008 6:24:31 AM
From Lim Kim San, Bloomfield, New Jersey, U.S.A.; email: limkimsan@msn.com

Hello, fellow alumni! We're very glad to find out that we have the LCHS Spectrum web site. At least it gives us some insights on what's going on in our hometown and our friends and classmates.  Our whole family migrated to the U.S.A. Kindly update our profile in the batch directory. I am Lim kim San (Batch '58) with address at 109 Birch St., Bloomfield, NJ, U.S.A. 07003, email: limkimsan@msn.com. My four children are: Catherine Bodiongan-Michalak ('85), 9816 Shorefront Parkway, Rockaway Park, NY, U.S.A. 11694, email: cathymichalak@msn.com; Carlo Bodiongan ('89), email: elcarlo7@msn.com; Charo Bodiongan ('93); and Christopher Bodiongan ('96); the last three with the same address at: 109 Birch St., Bloomfield, NJ, U.S.A. 07003. Best wishes and regards to my fellow alumni and classmate Guardson Siao.

Batch directory update
Wed, 27 Feb 2008 3:02:10 AM
From Catherine Bodiongan-Michalak, New York, U.S.A.; email: cathymichalak@msn.com

I'm so glad to find the Spectrum web site. It brings old memories and it's very informative to find out what's going on in our alma mater. Kindly update my profile under Batch '85. I am Catherine Bodiongan-Michalak. I recently reside in 9816 Shorefront Parkway, Rockaway Park, NY, U.S.A. 11694, email: cathymichalak@msn.com, tel: 516-620-9003; cell: 917-282-2471. I would like to send my best regards to my fellow alumni and especially to my Batch 1985! I missed you all. Hope to see you someday.

Re "Old DOS fights back"
Friday, February 15, 2008 10:05:47 PM
From Belinda "Bunz" Lim (Batch '82), Iligan, Philippines; email: bunzrich@yahoo.com

I was reading the article, "Old DOS fights back" by Johnny Chen (Spectrum, Feb. 18, 2008 issue), and I can empathize with Johnny's frustrations. I also get those "kalami tuokon aning computer" emotions when I'm on one of those RLCFCC Parish projects. There is one person I know who's very good with Chinese characters in computers but sadly he's no longer connected with Lanao Chung Hua School. What a loss! He is a rough diamond that needs polishing only.  I also felt Charles Sy's call or invitation to contribute articles to the Spectrum. I'll try, though I'm not promising anything. I enjoyed writing "It Happened To Me!" more than the people reading it. I guess the joy just passed away with my mom. But now I got a little boy who's a bundle of joy; he could be the inspiration for the return of "It Happened To Me."

Letter from South Korea
Sun, 24 Feb 2008 02:15:48 PM
From Kweon Soo-jae, Daejeon, South Korea; email: kweon3@gmail.com

I'm a reader of your Internet newspaper.  I have visited Manila, Boracay, and Cebu.  I've never visited your place in Iligan.  Maybe someday.  But reading your newspaper gives me good impression of your city and your school and your people. I always have pleasure reading your paper.  It's so positive and nice to read.  Also funny sometimes (he-he).

That's why it's sad for me to read that your writers have stopped writing.  Why?  You have good English. Are they busy or shy?  Maybe so. They should be proud to have their writings published in your nice newspaper. Maybe they don't know your newspaper is being read on your website by many people in other countries.  I'm learning English. I learn so many things from your articles.  I hope you succeed in getting more of your alumni and students to keep on writing. Good-bye and good day.
 
 

Rewind: Batch '80 in GAH 2000

See you at the 3rd LCHS Grand Alumni Homecoming, May 23-24, 2008, LCHS Gym, Iligan City

The Chinese New Year celebration (Feb. 7) in Lanao Chung Hua School was bustling with ritual festivities mostly related to customary Chinese traditions as a way of ushering in the lunar year. The students had such fun and memory partaking of the activities.

Charles O. Sy, Batch '67

When it comes to the stock market, Roderick Ngo is what we call a mover and a shaker.  Every time stock prices move, he shakes.

Johnny Chen wrote about his woes while working with Chinese texts on a PC and how DOS saved his day. There was a time when DOS ruled the computer world.  But DOS were the days, my friend.

Igdono "Dono" Caracho goes to a health spa every time he has a knead for a warm massage. He says it's good for the health, Well, I Dono about that.

Our 3rd GAH is three months away.  This early quite a few alumni are already going GAH-GAH over the event.

As our leaders back home prepare for the GAH, one thing that we hope they will address is the sound system.  A good sound system plays a critical part in every program involving a large audience.  We have witnessed on many occasions how a fine presentation had been ruined by lousy audio.

I remember how the speeches of dignitaries at the GAH2000 barrio fiesta were drowned by the endless chatter of the audience in the LCHS gym.  All because the sound system used at the gym was less than adequate. As a result, nobody bothered to listen to the speeches and went on to talk among themselves instead. I couldn't forget how a visibly irked emcee labored in vain to summon the attention of a restless audience. The crowd simply couldn't be hushed.

I myself had to struggle likewise when it was my turn to be the emcee for the grand ball at the GAH of 2000. I had earlier made it known that the sound system at the hotel's ballroom wasn't adequate enough for me. I was assured that a better and more powerful sound system would be rented to complement the in-house system for the occasion. Unfortunately, this never materialized.

Needless to say, I struggled throughout the program trying to make my voice audible to all corners of the hall. Although the audience was more behaved, my poor voice was no match against a poor audio system. It was an agonizing experience the likes of which we hope others tasked with a similar job will not have to undergo themselves ... ever.

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

What is life?

Time and again, we've asked ourselves this same question. There are as many definitions as there are so many people we've been with, places we've been to, events that have happened in our lives, and a truckload of memories that have been built and created through the years.

If we come to analyze it, life is really simple. We came into this world with only a shrill cry that signaled the beginning of life. From the Delivery Room we were ushered into the Nursery. Everybody's rejoicing. A star is born.

We were discharged from the hospital. From then on, it's home sweet home. Thereafter, we started learning things at home or in school by observing, imitating, conditioning, questioning, etc. The environment played a crucial part in our personality development, so were the people surrounding us: Our teachers, neighbors, relatives, etc. Consciously or unconsciously we picked up values or traits from them and these we applied or practiced in our own lives. And that started the ball rolling. Life then has never been the same again!

It is actually humanity that makes life complicated. We are given a free choice: To live life simply or to live it in a complicated way. Life is like a multiple choice-type of exam. We are to follow instructions carefully. Encircle the best answer. No erasures allowed. Cheating will be dealt with accordingly.

Indeed, life is simple. But then, as human beings, we tend to want more, more, and more, to dream big, even to the point of dreaming the impossible dream and reaching for the unreachable star. We just couldn't stay put and be contented with whatever we have. Just because our neighbor has this and that, we also would want to have this and that. We tend to compare our life and status with those around us. We want life to be in accucolor, not just in black and white. And along the way, life becomes complicated. Again, the choice is all ours. The earlier we decide, the better.

One author wrote: "Aging is a slow process of saying goodbye. We say goodbye to friends who die ahead of us. We say goodbye to familiar places as we move from old neighborhood to a village in the suburbs. We say goodbye to old traditions, old ideas and old familiar church hymns and love songs. Everything seems to be leaving us when we grow old and gray, even our eyesight and memory."

Indeed, life is a cycle. We were yesterday's kids, today's family men and women, and tomorrow's senior citizens. It's a purpose-driven life in this hello-and-goodbye world. Everything happens for a reason. Nothing happens by accident. You are you. I am I. We all have a role to play. We cannot be Jack-of-all-trades. So let us not therefore compare ourselves with others because by so doing, we will only become vain and bitter. For always, there will be greater and lesser persons than us in this world.

Life is not a contest. Let us try to be contented with what we have, and be happy with what we are. Simplify life. Live simply.

The problem with Chinese names
From Peter Dy (Batch '66), Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Caller: Hello, can I speak to Annie Wan?
Operator: Yes, you can speak to me.
Caller: No, I want to speak to Annie Wan!
Operator: Yes I understand you want to speak to anyone. You can speak to me. Who is this?
Caller: I'm Sam Wan and I need to talk to Annie Wan! It's urgent.
Operator: I know you are someone and you want to talk to anyone! But what's this urgent matter about?
Caller: Well, just tell my sister Annie Wan that our brother Noe Wan was involved in an accident. Noe Wan got injured and now Noe Wan is being sent to the hospital.
Operator: Look, if no one was injured and no one was sent to the hospital, then the accident isn't an urgent matter! You may find his hilarious but I don't have time for this!
Caller: You are so rude! Who are you?
Operator: I'm Saw Ree.
Caller: Yes! You should be sorry. Now give me your name!
Operator: That's what I said. I'm Saw Ree.
Caller: Oh, God!

Sometime in December I got a call from my sister Joan notifying me that the whole family, meaning the whole clan, will be at the birthday bash "debut" of our beloved aunt Melania Dy (my Sa-kim).  A year ago when she first brought up this special date, I was 1000% sure I’d show up.  But a period of one year can see lots of changes in one's life and one's schedule.  My 1000% became just 1% probability of showing up in Cebu (minus the three zeros).  Days before January 5, I was like a walking time bomb, there was a tic-tac sound going on in my head reminding me of the time left for me to decide, buy my ticket, and pack my bag.

I couldn't miss the chance to see Sa-ko (Hesing Dy) and Sa-kim again, and just thinking of the riot it's going to be with my cousin Cristina around, I just couldn't pass up the chance.

And so with just a small hand-carry bag I took the Jan. 4 afternoon flight to Cebu. The start of my 36-hours stay in Cebu.  I was greeted by no less than the proud husband of the celebrant, and the ever-dashing doctor from Chicago (my Di-ko aka Dr. Greg Dy).  I was just enjoying the sunset while cruising down Lapu Lapu going towards Pacific Grand Villas when Sa-ko's car had a fever.  The poor thing had been working overtime the past few days.  We had to stop and consult the "doctors" at Petron.

I always believe that everything happens for a reason and what happened to the car gave Sa-ko the chance to meet this mikaniko who was ma-ayo ka-ayo.  While waiting for the car to cool down, thanks to the unlimited Sun-to-Sun calls, I was able to make use of the time chatting with Chat-chat, Joan, Cristina and Carina.  By the time the car was cool enough it was my cell phone which was having a fever.

We arrived at Sa-ko's house and met the sisters and brother of Sa-kim.  It made me see how Sa-kim is the person that she is.  She grew up surrounded by such warm and happy siblings.

Over yummy home-cooked meal, authentic adobong manok, among others, we chatted the night away.  Needless to say, everyone was as sleepless as I was.

Igdono U. Caracho, Batch '66

Timoga beckons