Vol. 13, No. 5, July 27, 2009

The LCHS Board of Trustees recently passed its Board Resolution No. 01-09, granting authority and power to the school board on matters related to the school's daily operations.  The resolution empowers the school board to perform the following: (a) To initiate and develop corporate objectives and policies and formulate long range projects, plans and programs and submit them to the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees should act within 7 days upon submission or otherwise it is considered approved; (b) To have general supervision and management of the school affairs and its property; and (c) To ensure that the administrative and operational policies of the school are carried out under its supervision and control

The resolution also designates the following as members of the school board: (1) President of the LCHS Board of Trustees, as chairman; (2) President of the Lanao Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Inc., as vice chairman; (3) School director (who is appointed from among the members of the Board of Trustees); (4) President of the LCHS Parents Teachers Association; and (5) President of the LCHS Alumni Association. The resolution further authorizes the school director to oversee the operation of the school.

Meanwhile, several changes and improvements are already in place at LCHS.  A new LCHS organizational structure has been set up through the initiative of LCHS-AA president James Booc. Three units of split-type air-conditioners donated by Stephen Gaisano are already installed. The new speech lab is in operation. Repainting of the classrooms and comfort rooms has likewise been completed. The faculty office is now relocated on the second floor of the school building, while the Administration and Registrar's Offices now occupy one room (in photos).

The new LCHS administration office (left) and the registrar's office (right).  Photos courtesy of James Booc.

Jing Uy is new principal

Lanao Chung Hua School has a new principal. Christine Veronica "Jing" Uy (in photo) has been promoted as Principal in her concurrent capacity as head of English Department starting this school year. Aside from attending to her voluminous work load, she also writes a regular column in the Spectrum. Henry Siao, on the other hand, remains as School Director.

Notice to Spectrum readers

The Spectrum web site at GeoCities.com may soon cease operation. This is because of the decision of GeoCities, our host server, to end its web hosting services by October this year. It will take a few months for us to complete the full migration of our web site to a new server. During this transition period, the Spectrum will cease to be available for public viewing on the Internet. We are, therefore, inviting our readers to subscribe to the Spectrum now so that they can receive free copies of the Spectrum directly in their email once our web site fades away from cyberspace. To subscribe, send the following message to this email: [email protected]

1.  Subject: Subscription
2.  Name of subscriber
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Note: Current subscribers need not reapply.

CIM REUNION. Dr. Ritky C. Dy (Batch '76) was in Cebu to attend the 25th Year Reunion (Silver Jubilee) of their Medicine Class 1984 at the Cebu Institute of Medicine (CIM) last July 9-11. Ritky was on top of his class during his medical student years. He was an ESA awardee (Excellence in the Study of Anatomy) and garnered 5th place in the Philippine Medical Board Exam in 1985. Ritky is now based in Alabama, U.S.A. Together with him during the big event were his wife, Dr. Roxanne Escalante-Dy, and three daughters (in photo).

Dr. Ritky Dy with wife Roxanne and their three daughters together with Dr. Henry Yu (Batch '69). Photo courtesy of Henry Yu.

An impromptu get-together in the new house of Alex Rodriguez in Mactan, Cebu.  From left: Sammy Go, Charles Sy, Igdono Caracho, and Alex Rodriguez.

Left photo: Remedios Suminguit-Hsu receiving her trophy as Model Mother of the Year in Taiwan. Right photo: close-up pic of Remedios. Photos scanned from Taiwan newspaper.

NEW MEATSHOP.  The Ang sisters, Linda (Batch '59) and Joselyn (Batch '67), will soon open a meat shop in Pala-o, Iligan. It will be operated by their elder sister Gregoria Ang (Batch '59) who has moved from Cebu to Iligan. The family, led by Charles Ang, runs a flourishing piggery business in Iligan

Congrats and Godbless
From Henry Yu (Batch '69), Cebu, Philippines; email: [email protected]
Sun, 21 June 2009 14:12:51 -0700 (PDT)

Reading the LCHS Spectrum, June 22, 2009 issue, I got so many informations about people, places and events. This is indeed one of the most informative issues that have come out in circulation. Thanks be to Charles Sy and his staff for a very informative issue. Here are my messages to the following:

To my tokayo Iligan Vice Mayor Henry Dy -- Congratulations for being reelected to the prestigious Executive National Board of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) representing the business sector. I'm proud and happy for you, Tux!

To the members of Batch 1959 -- Congratulations to you all on the occasion of your Golden Jubilee. 50 years after graduation from LCHS is such a long time. It really calls for a celebration. I remember most of you because 1959 was the year I started Grade One under Miss Tagaro as our teacher-in-charge. I was in Grade One and you were in 4th year high school.

To the members of Batch 1965 -- Congratulations to you all on the occasion of your get-together in Iligan City this coming July 11, 2009. I remember you all because I was in Grade Six under Miss Josefina Tan when you were in 4th year. Welcome home, Alex Rodriguez and family. Congratulations and happy reunion.

To Sammy Go -- Congratulations for being a Senior Citizen last June 3. I greeted you on your 60th birthday that day but never knew that you became a 1st time grandpa last April when daughter Jennifer gave birth to a healthy baby boy. Godblesss Angkong Sam.

To Susan Ngo-Lo -- Congratulations for being a 1st time grandma to baby James Michael. Godbless Ama Susan.

To my other tokayo Henry Siao and wife Juanita -- Congratulations for the opening of Celeedon Pensionne House. Godbless and more power, Tux!

Congratulations to my classmate Richard Lim and brothers Wilson, Johnson and Wilford, on the occasion of the inauguration and blessing of Johndorf Ventures Corp. new office at Cebu Business Park, Cebu City.

Hello to Guido Samson in Salinas, California, U.S.A. Hi Guids, you're one of those I was hoping to meet in person again after so many many years, during our 1st LCHS Grand Alumni Homecoming last August, 2000. "When will I see you again? When will we share precious moments?"

An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which she carried across her neck.  One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full  portion of water.  At the end of the long walks from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water.

Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do. After two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house."

The old woman smiled, "Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side?"

"That's because I have always known about your flaw," she continued.  "So I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house."

Each of us has our own unique flaw. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding. You've just got to take each person for what they are and look for the good in them. So, to all of my cracked pot friends, have a great day and remember to smell the flowers on your side of the path!

Christine Veronica B. Uy

In pursuit of harnessing one's potentials and learning to overcome the challenges that go with it, some of our LCHS students have moved one step higher by making it in regional/international competitions or in self-development programs.

2009 Singapore International Mathematics Competition. Annamitz A. Rapliza (in photo), a candidate for Valedictorian in Grade 6 and a diligent student since Kinder, qualified in the Math Trainers' Guild (MTG)- Philippines' summer training to join the Philippine Team in the prestigious 2009 International Math Competition in Singapore this coming August 20–24. Notably, Annamitz, is one among only two qualifiers from Iligan City who made it to the national level and eligible to compete internationally. On top of this achievement, she is the only elementary student representing Iligan, who has been selected by MTG to compete in Singapore. Annamitz is the daughter of our Grade School Math teacher, Mrs. Annabelle A. Rapliza.

Once again, Lanao Chung Hua School is pleased to have in her fold excellent students who are good in Math and capable of passing the rigid Mathematics hurdle and training designed by MTG-Philippines President, Dr. Simon Chua.

KUMON Gold Awardees. The following LCHS students have earned national Gold awards for attaining excellent marks in MATH/READING under the KUMON program (Japanese-based tutorial center):  Maxine Ang (2nd Yr.); Mary Olivienne Uy (2nd Yr.); Dana Co (Gr. 5); Chars Agustin Cu (Gr. 4); Earl Ray Rapliza (Gr. 4); and Ethan Duhaylungsod (Gr. 2).

The President of KUMON Philippines Inc., Mr. Norihiro Nakamura, will personally award all national achievers at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu on August 22, 2009.

PRISAA Regional Meet. Our basketball varsity team had set their sights on a much higher goal as evident from their consistent hardcourt victories from the PRISAA (Private School Athletic Association) division meet last February 21, where they won First Runner-up and later the Championship trophy playing in a mixed set-up with players from other private school representatives in Iligan. There were five LCHS players who were selected to represent the Iligan team: the formidable twins, Raymund and Raymart Chiu (sons of Albert Chiu); Mark Jefferson Ling (son of Jerry Ling); Allain Johary Ali; and Justin Rolabnd Lee (son of Roland Lee). Only three made it to the Regional Meet at Tangub City last April 3-7: the twins and Allain Johary Ali with their coach/trainer Windel A Villastique. Iligan team got the 2nd runner-up (bronze medal).

This event is a first for our school to participate in. With the exposure and training which our basketball players have gone through, it's apparent the goal they have in mind may not be far-fetched.

Charles O. Sy, Batch '67

Only six ancient pine trees now stand guard along what used to be the front yard of the old Lanao Chinese High School on Roosevelt Extension.  Other than these trees, now aged and forsaken, nothing else seems to have remained of the old vestiges of LCHS. "What a waste," I said as we approached what used to be the portal of LCHS.

"Not so," replied Santi Ong, my tour guide for the day during a brief visit to Iligan. "Wait till I show you some more remnants of LCHS inside this compound," he added.

The site of the old LCHS campus along Roosevelt Extension today bespeaks nothing of the serene ambience we used to know in our salad days at LCHS.  The surrounding is unkempt, and the street untidy.  Several makeshift houses and lean-tos now line the street where the old LCHS once stood supreme in all its splendor.  Gone are the sari-sari stores from which we bought our daily snack of maruya. Gone too are the neighborhood maidens who used to bathe in the open by the artesian well at the backyard of our auditorium.

The property upon which LCHS once stood has since been divided among the heirs of the land owner.  In its place now stand a decrepit repair shop, a junk yard and a cluster of nondescript tenements. A bunch of noisy kids jostled cheek-by-jowl with stray dogs for territorial foothold along the same road that we once passed daily en route to school.  "Let's get inside," Santi said to me as he steered his Toyota Tamaraw through a narrow path sandwiched by fences that have seen better times.

This narrow passage, I was to learn later, happened to be the same access road situated between the basketball court and the tennis court inside our former campus.  The road provided ingress for the school bus from the right gate leading to the kindergarten building.  Today, it serves as road-right-of-way for many of the residents in the interior section of the compound.

I looked around as Santi's Tamaraw came to a halt but saw nothing that would summon even the faintest images of our former campus.  In front of us were a few boys playing basketball on a patch of dusty vacant lot.  This was definitely not the same spanking concrete basketball court that we had back then.  "Do you remember this structure?" Santi said as he pointed to a solitary vertical structure ahead of us.

It was the concrete plant box that once adorned the facade of our science lab, the only section of the laboratory building that still stands on its original spot, reminiscent of a pantheon commemorating a bygone era.  It was on this wall where we etched irreverent graffiti in our heyday at the lab.  I tried looking for the love notes I once scribbled there for the apple of my eye. Yet even these too are gone.  In their place are worn-out poster ads and campaign leaflets that unmistakably defined the passage of time.

Farther away stood yet one more structure of the old LCHS.  "And those are the concrete steps that led to our kindergarten classrooms," Santi said as he guided me to the direction of a massive slab of reinforced concrete that still lies intact on its spot.  It was on these steps that we as kindergarten pupils played lastiko on the floor. Gone is the kindergarten building once called Chu San Room yet its cemented stairs still stood there, intact and proud of its history, a fitting monument to the Alma Mater that led us to our first stairway to education.

I gazed at these remains of the old LCHS one last time and grieved over the loss of the glory was hers not too long ago.  Yet I remain hopeful at the sight of these shattered landmarks of our past.  For as long as these last remnants of LCHS can withstand the test of time, so will the dreams and memories of our happy days at LCHS.

Husbands and wives
From James Booc (Batch '82), Iligan, Philippines

Some people ask about the secret of our long marriage. Well, we take time to go to a restaurant two times a week. A little candlelight dinner, soft music, and dancing. She goes Tuesdays, I go Fridays.

1. Does Jennifer Love Hewitt?
2. Where did Vincent van Gogh?
3. Why is Norman Black?
4. Where did Sandara Park?
5. Is Chow Yung Fat?
6. What did Henry Sy?
7. Is Lucio Tan?
8. When did Orlando Bloom?

Igdono U. Caracho, Batch '66