Vol. 10, No. 20, February 12, 2007

The Physicians for Peace medical team, a global humanitarian organization, thru the initiative of the Iligan Cement Corporation - Lafarge in partnership with the Cruz Administration and the Rotary District Governor of America, held recently a medical mission at the Gregorio T. Lluch Memorial Hospital, Iligan City. The team of surgeons, internists, anesthesiologists, nurses and other medical practitioners from the U.S.A. and the Philippines perform surgical procedure on thyroid, cleft lip and palate, myoma, hernia, lumps and bumps and other ailing patients, offer measuring and fitting of prosthetic limbs (artificial legs) to adult amputees, and grant 1,000 units of eyeglasses for the visually impaired.  All services were rendered at no cost for the local indigent patients as the medical team carried out six major, eight medium and twenty minor operations daily in their four-day medical mission.

The Iligan City government is grateful to Dr. Teodoro Herbosa, Chairman and President of Physicians for Peace, Dr. Juan Montero, Executive Director, Mr. Robert Lane, Coordinator and to the entire organization for including Iligan in their humanitarian cause.

Mayor Cruz marks 42th birthday

A series of events highlighted Iligan City Mayor Lawrence Cruz's 42nd birthday celebration last January 30 (in photo). Four new wards at the Senior Citizens' Building were inaugurated. Official blessing of the newly acquired P87M worth of heavy equipment at the City Engineer's Office also took place. The City Council approved the P500T financial aid to some 50 families rendered homeless last January 29 by the fire that broke out in Purok 2-A Green Village, Barangay Hinaplanon.

Another significant occasion that preceded the birthday celebration was his delivery of his performance report for the first two years and seven months of his term. The report covered his four major accomplishments thru projects in water supply, garbage disposal, livelihood and peace and order. Matters on health, education, barangay development and employees' welfare were also among the areas he expressed concern on. He did not miss to acknowledge Congressman Alipio Badelles, Vice Mayor Henry Dy, the City Council, city government department heads, barangay and purok or zone officials, national government agencies, non-government organizations, and concerned Iliganons who have helped made these things possible during his first term as city mayor.

Wilson Dy, aka Willy Dy, passed away on Jan. 29, 2007 in Iligan City. He was inside his bathroom early in the morning when he accidentally slipped. His head was hit. He was rushed to the hospital by members of his household but was pronounced dead on arrival by hospital staff. Wilson was the son of Panga Chiu and a nephew of former Spectrum editor Victor "A-E" Chiu. Wilson was a former district officer of the Bureau of Internal Revenue in Iligan City. We request our pious readers to pray for the eternal repose of his soul.

Thank you, dear teachers
Sun, 28 Jan 2007 06:17:18 +0000

This is just to congratulate and thank Dr. Augusto "Chu Kok" Sy for a very nice and commendable article entitled "Honoring Our Mentors" (Spectrum, Jan. 29, 2007 issue). If you remember, I did suggest a tribute to our teachers before when we were still planning for our 1st Grand Alumni Homecoming back in 2000. Truly, we owe so much to our teachers. Without them, we could not be what we are today.  Thank you, dear teachers. Thank you, Sir. Thank you, Ma'am.
--Henry L. Yu, M.D.(Batch '69), Cebu, Philippines; email: hvty@skyinet.net

Honoring Chinese & English mentors
Tue, 30 Jan 2007 01:36:29 EST

The suggestion of Dr. Augusto "Chu Kok" Sy in his recent Spectrum article to honor our mentors is indeed remarkable.  I also believe that a fitting and formal tribute to our former mentors should be included in the program during our 3rd grand alumni homecoming (GAH).  Since our 3rd GAH is just a little over a year away, this time our alumni officers should start planning ahead.  Dr. Sy cited some distinguished teachers of his time, all of whom are, without doubt, worthy of honoring.  But let's not forget other equally dedicated mentors -- Chinese teachers as well as English teachers -- who joined LCHS after Dr. Sy's time, but who nonetheless left equally indelible imprints in our lives.  Let's honor them as well.
--Laureto C. Lao (Batch '68), Stonehill Court, Riverside, CA, U.S.A.; email: Ritoelsie@aol.com

More on past mentors
Sun, 14 Jan 2007 01:50:32 -0800

I believe we have many other fellow alumni, even those who are now enjoying their retirement, who might be able to share with us many more pleasant memories about our former Chinese and English teachers who have positively touched our lives.  We ought to encourage them to share their stories with us in the Spectrum. It would be good to hear from them.  Adios, amigos!
--Augusto Sy (Batch '62), U.S.A.; email: virgusy@comcast.net

No rewind
Sun, 07 Jan 2007 11:15:15

Life has no rewinds or forwards.  It unfolds itself at its own pace.  So never miss the chance to live today and make a beautiful story for tomorrow.
--Susan de la Cruz, Iloilo, Philippines, email: iko1031@hotmail.com

Mon, 29 Jan 2007 18:24:04 +0000
Our heartfelt condolence to the Dy and Chiu families. Wilson Dy will be missed with his untimely demise.
--Alex Rodriguez & family, Miramar, Fl., U.S.A.; email: alpacino_8@hotmail.com

Mon, 29 Jan 2007 12:20:56 -0700
To Panga Dy & Victor "A-E" Chiu & Family:  May peace dwell in your heart and comfort you in the quiet moments. With Deepest Sympathy.
--Peter Dy and family, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; email: pdy@telusplanet.net

Mon, 29 Jan 2007 15:44:17 EST
To Panga Chiu, Victor A-E Chiu, and entire Dy family: Our heartfelt condolence & deep Sympathy for the early passing of Wilson "Willie" Dy. His father Johnson Dy was my good friend too.
--Laureto & Elsie Lao, Stonehill Court, Riverside, CA, U.S.A.; email: Ritoelsie@aol.com

Tue, 30 Jan 2007 04:37:49 +0000
Our heartfelt sympathy and condolence to Panga, Melecia, Letecia, and the rest of the family, for the sudden death of Willy Dy. God grant us the strength and acceptance of Willy's passing away. Our prayers for his eternal rest.
--Henry L. Yu and family, Cebu, Philippines; email: hvty@skyinet.net

Tue, 30 Jan 2007 17:53:56 -0500 (EST)
Our heartfelt Condolence to Panga and family.
--Hesing and Melania Dy, Lapulapu, Philippines; email: jdy2001ca@yahoo.ca

Wed, 31 Jan 2007 05:30:36 -0800 (PST)
Our heartfelt sympathy and condolence to Panga, Melecia, Letecia, and the rest of the family, for the sudden death of Willy Dy. God grant us the strength and acceptance of Willy's passing away. Our prayers for his eternal rest.
--Boy and Lorna Te and family, Taiwan; email: tonite52@yahoo.com

ALUMNI WHIZ KIDS.  Alexander Dy, son of Dr. Arthur Dy (Batch '75) & Elizabeth Dy, copped first place in the 2007 Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Science Awards.  This alumni whiz kid was among 30 top students from ten universities in Metro Manila who took part in the competition last January.  His feat earned for himself a cash prize of P50,000, and P200,000 for the University of the Philippines - Diliman, where he is a graduating B.S. Biology student. Alex plans to proceed to medicine proper after his graduation. The BPI Science Award, which began in 1989, aims to encourage young scientists, mathematicians, engineers and computer technologists to persevere and excel in their fields.

Meanwhile, another alumni whiz kid, Derwin Dexter Sy (in photo, at left, orange t-shirt), bagged the championship in the Computer Quiz 2007 of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (CESAFI) held last Jan. 31 in Cebu City.  Dexter and his teammate, representing the University of San Carlos (USC), beat contestants from other universities in Cebu.  As champions, they will represent Cebu in the PRISAA regional competition scheduled on Feb. 17 in Tagbilaran City.  Dexter is a graduating Information Technology student at USC.  He is the son of Nelson Sy (Batch '62) and Josephine Sy.

SOUTHERN SWING.  Jesus "Hesing" Dy (Batch '63) and his wife Melania recently joined some 100 tourists, balikbayans and vacationists on a funfilled swing across the southern towns of Cebu.  The special tour, called "Suroy Suroy sa Sugbu," took them on a three-day adventure last Jan. 24 to 26. A project of the Cebu provincial government, no less than Cebu governor Gwendolyn Garcia personally led the group in the visit to the different towns.  For only P6,450 per person, everyone on the trip enjoyed a three-day escapade that included a one night stay at the five-star Badian Island Resort, and another night at the Fort Med in Boljoon.  Everywhere they went, the entourage was greeted by town officials, residents and students complete with marching bands.

They were treated to endless feasts of local delicacies and cultural shows. They visited the majestic Kawasan Falls in Badian, the Mantayupan Falls in Barili, as well as the exotic beaches of Moalboal.  They savored the famous lechon of Talisay and rode the balsa (carabao cart) in Samboan, where they also witnessed an actual cockfight.  They were entertained by the Sadsad Festival dancers in Oslob and Tostado Festival dancers in Santander.  In Ginatilan, the group was treated to a cavalcade of traditional Cebuano songs over lunch of native dishes while Malabuyoc gave the visitors a banca ride. In Alegria, they group was entertained by the town's Kawayan festival dancers complete with small bamboo huts displayed on the sides.  In Dumanjug, the group was treated to a rare "kulasisi" presentation, a vernacular poetry opera.

Jesus and Melania came home from the trip impressed and moved by the cultural splendor and warm hospitality of the townsfolk of Cebu. They vow to join the "Suroy Suroy sa Sugbu" again on its next trip to the northern parts of Cebu this summer.

CEBU SOJOURN.  Spectrum editor Roger Suminguit and Henry Lagrosas were in Cebu City for a brief sojourn last Feb. 10.  While in Cebu, the two had a get-together with Igdono Caracho and Charles O. Sy who, needless to say, led them on a quick tour of Cebu's night life.  They savored a delectable buffet of roasted Peking duck at the Grand Majestic Restaurant, and took a pleasurable trip down memory lane by having some beer at the Fifties Cafe, which is a theme bar and restaurant that harks back to the era of the 1950s. The foursome had fun reminiscing the good old days as they viewed the stunning decor and memorabilia of the 50s on display all over the bar.  Among the many items were a 1952 poster of Scott Emulsion, an antiquated gasoline dispenser, old bottles and advertisements of Coca-Cola, Pepsi Cola, Choco-Vim, Lem-O-Lime, an antique ice crusher used in making halo-halo in the fifties, poster ads of 1950 movies, original packs of Liwayway, Aurora, and Sno-Man cigarettes, and many other nostalgic items of a past yet unforgettable era.  The group capped the night at the Papa's where they laughed their hearts out over the funny antics of the Music Nuts, Cebu's most famous band and No. 1 crowd drawer.  The place was packed full as the band regaled the SRO-crowd with its great singing voice combined with the lead vocalist's wisecracks and one-liners.  It was an evening of fun and nostalgia for the four gallivanting alumni who concluded their night out in Cebu close to the break of dawn.

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

We know it's Valentines Season when the color red dominates the air everywhere we go: Malls bedecked with cut-outs of red hearts and knick knacks, show windows displaying red apparels, meaningful love songs reverberating the air with their haunting melodies.

We pause and ponder on the swiftly gliding years. We smile at the thought of the way we were, of the memories of our love. Yes, the thought of Valentines always brings back memories of the times in our life when we were young and so much in love with that special someone who made our heart beat faster. Oh, that stage in life when everything seemed high and mighty, with us daydreaming and building air castles, feeling inspired to do good in all our endeavors because of that special someone who served as our soul and inspiration.

Year after year since then, we went through several experiences in life. We made new friends, we've loved and lost, we cried some tears, we fall and stood again. We learned our lessons. Yes, we've been through a lot. Collectively we restored these in the pages of our diary, rewinding every now and then the years when life's little and simple pleasures were part of our young life then, of sharing an umbrella on a rainy afternoon, munching a bagful of popcorn, sharing a bowl of halo-halo or a plate of pancit at the cafeteria, among many other memories of the love that we once knew. Oh, what a beautiful feeling it is to love and be loved!

So what then is love? Ah, love is when...
... you smile at the thought of that someone loving you just the way you are.
... you make yourself beautiful for the other.
... you do something to somebody without condition nor expectation.
... you see the positive traits of a person more than the negative.
... you offer your shoulder to a friend where she can cry on.
... you have someone who loves and cares for you in good times or in bad.
... you fart without feeling embarrassed.
... you try to learn the things that your loved one loves.
... a bride and groom walked down the aisles together on that sunny Sunday morning.
... a couple walk hand in hand and side by side in life's many journeys.
... you see your husband sweaty and still say he is handsomer than Sam Milby.
... a mother kisses and puts her child to sleep after reading bedtime stories.
... a father gives his child the best part of a roasted chicken.
... you give someone something that you still have a need of.
... there is unity even in the midst of diversity.
... two senior citizens are still friends even after they know each other so well.
... lola couldn't reach her itching back anymore and lolo scratches it for her.
... a husband and a wife are still together for better or for worst after all these years.
... you smile after reading this article just because ...

Igdono U. Caracho, Batch '66