Vol. 7, No. 25, March 15, 2004

Former city councilor Henry C. Dy (in photo) is preparing more school buildings for donation to the different public schools in Iligan City.  Two new school buildings have been completed and are set to be turned over to the Tambacan Elementary School in Barangay Tambacan and the Santigago Elementary School in Barangay Santiago.  The projects were made possible from GMA funds through arrangements made by Henry Dy.  Another school building project is likewise under way with the Iligan City National High School as beneficiary.  The project is also made through the initiative of Henry Dy with business tycoon Lucio Tan as the benefactor.

Ever since he was councilor of Iligan City, Henry Dy has dedicated himself to the school building project in consonance with the national goals of the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Inc. and the Chinese Filipino Business Club.  Through his initiatives, no less than 28 units of two-classroom school buildings have already been turned over to different barangays in the city.  With "Bringing  Education to the Masses" as a top priority in his campaign platform, Henry vows to continue this worthwhile project in his candidacy for vice mayor of Iligan City in the coming elections.

Breaking new grounds
Johndorf launches new townhomes in Mactan

Johndorf Ventures Corp. launched its newest low-cost townhomes project in Mactan, Cebu, last Mar. 6.  The project (in photo), named Aldea Prima, is located at La Aldea Buena Mactan, Lapulapu City.  The launching & open house was held at its new offices in Guizo, Mandaue City attended by guests and friends from the Cebu business community.  The company already received no less than 50 reservations from applicants on its launching day alone.  The Johndorf Ventures is owned by the family of Richard Lim (Batch '69).  The Aldea Prima is the latest addition to its housing projects located in other cities like Iligan, Cagayan de Oro, and Butuan.

Batch '95 donates videocam to LCHS
By Christine Veronica B. Uy,  LCHS assistant principal

LCHS alumni belonging to Batch '95 donated a Sony Digital-8 Handycam, a set of tripod and an LG CD-Rewriter to Lanao Chung Hua School.   Gracing the turnover ceremonies at LCHS last Feb. 27 were Mr. Sy Chu An, President of the LCHS Board of Trustees, who received the donations in behalf of the school; Mr. Henry T. Siao, School Director; Mr. William Payonan, School Principal; students and teachers of LCHS, and representatives of Batch '95 led by Sherwin Sy, Pitrickson So, Evande Marie Lagtapon, Ann Jeremy Suminguit, Maria Fleta Larrazabal-Go, and Leah Jeassamine Garrido (currently teaching at LCHS).

It may be recalled that a few weeks back, Hilton O. Sy, president of the Student Government  (SG) – year 1994-1995, communicated with the LCHS administration to inquire about facilities needed by the school. He explained that their (SG) funds from '95 have reached P30,000 and that they have decided to use the money to purchase the needed equipment for the school.

We are impressed by the professional handling of the SG funds by Hilton O. Sy.  We are truly proud to have a graduate who, all these years, took proper stewardship of the funds entrusted to him.  We salute you, Hilton Sy!  And our sincere gratitude to Batch ’95 for your  donation and most especially your loyalty to the Alma Mater.

LCHS wins top honors in inter-school competition
By Christine Veronica B. Uy, LCHS assistant principal

Lanao Chung Hua School romped off with the most awards in the 1st Mindanao Inter-School Chinese Competition held last February 21 at Oro Grace Christian School, Cagayan de Oro City.  The inter-school competition was sponsored by the Philippine Mindanao Chinese Education Research Center.  Participating schools were Zamboanga Chong Hua School, St. Joseph School (Zamboanga City), Pagadian City Chamber School, Dipolog Community School, Misamis Union High School, Junior Cultural Academy (Gen. Santos City), Koronadal Southern Elementary School, Oro Christian Grace School, and Lanao Chung Hua School. This was the first time that Chinese schools in Mindanao converged for this form of competition in order to assess how the standard of Chinese Language learning can be applied effectively when used in different media of contest events.  The events (elementary & high school levels) consisted of:  Chinese declamation (choral recitation), choral singing, vocal solo, Chinese writing and Chinese Language Ability Test.  The sponsors gave P500 and a plaque to the 1st place winners, P400 and a plaque to the 2nd place winners, and P300 and a plaque to the 3rd place winners.  We congratulate our students for giving honor to LCHS:

Chinese Writing Contest (Elementary Level):  Reggielloyd Aguilar (Grade 5), champion; and Blaisel Mae Baguio (Grade 6), 3rd place. Chinese Writing Contest (Secondary Level):  Diane Marie Zorilla (4th Year), 2nd place.   Singing Contest (Vocal Solo, Elementary Level):  Myrlicar Migneonette Dingal (Grade 6), champion. Singing Contest (Vocal Solo, Secondary Level):  Bjorn Kerwick Chua (4th Year). 3rd place; and Dave de Jesus (4th Year), 4th place.  Chinese Language Ability Test (Secondary Level):  Zhuang Dexin (4th Year), 2nd place; and Zhuang Rong Rong (4th Year), 4th place. Choral Singing & Choral Recitation (Secondary Level):  3rd & 4th Year students, 4th place.   Comprising the 3rd Year students were Reejay Alibanggo, Marah Michelle Alivio, Sharleen Nicole Chan, Katrina Lee, Marianne Joan Longcob, Ginnice Kristel Taongan, and Janissa Uy.  Among the 4th Year students were Bjorn Kerwick Chua, Krissa Hanika Cabagui, Claire Lorraine Co, Roxanne Conol, Dave de Jesus, Heidi Dy-Henry, Kenneth Ong, Lionel Bryan Yap and Diane Marie Zorilla.

LCHS holds "5S" seminar for teachers and staff

LCHS held a half-day seminar on "Japanese Practices on 5S (Japanese Style of Housekeeping/Maintenance)" and "Time Management" for its teachers and non-teaching staff last January 30 at the school’s audio visual room.  Resource speaker was Engr. Vicente Capangpangan, Jr., a retired NSC employee, formerly of the Industrial Eng’g Dept., and now a faculty member in the graduate studies program of Iligan Medical Center College.  Jun, as fondly called by his colleagues as a mentor not only in the academic arena but also in many church/musical activities, had a comprehensive training on 5S in Japan while he was still connected with NSC.  Engr. Henry T. Siao, LCHS school director, also attended the seminar and shared some of his personal experiences and knowledge on time management.  The seminar turned out to be quite interesting due to the innovative topics and lucid explanations mingled with hilarious anecdotes given by the resource speaker to capture the attention of the participants throughout the session.

Roger Suminguit, Batch '73

Currently in town for a vacation from her home base in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. is Marcy Sy-Go (Batch '67).   She came home together with her husband to grace the wedding of one of her in-laws in Davao.  They are scheduled to fly back to America on Mar. 15.  Remember Michael John Siangco (Batch '96)?  He wrote a column "Odds & Ends" in the Spectrum in 2002.  Michael (in photo, on extreme left) took a leave of absence from the Spectrum when he left for Beijing, China, to pursue further Chinese studies for two years.  He will finish his studies soon and is expected to return home to Iligan by May or June this year.  "Tracers" heard that Michael may join the LCHS Chinese faculty upon his return.  No doubt, Michael will be a big asset to LCHS when he joins its teaching staff soon.

What do Bienvenido Lim (Batch '66), Norma "Leh-Tin" Sy-Lim (Batch '65), in photo, second from left, and Michael Phillips Lim (Batch '96) have in common, aside from being members of the same household?  Well, they are all confirmed vegetarians.  Bienvenido, his wife Norma, and son Michael have religiously restricted their diets to vegetarian foods since 1997.  Which probably explains why all three are in such great shape.  Noted as a basketball star and an Eddie Mesa look-alike in our LCHS days, Ben or Titi as he is better known among friends, still has a waistline that is the envy of many of his contemporaries.  Leh-Tin, on her part, can still make heads turn wherever she goes with her whistle-bait figure.  Their family is the forerunner of the Sian Tian Temple established in their residential compound in Noria, Pala-o.   Ben and son Michael, who is an architect, are now engaged in the construction business.  Their new company, Supra Construction, is undertaking a string of infrastructure projects in the cities of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro. Another son, Cromwel Brian Lim (Batch '92) is now based in the U.S.A.  Meanwhile, currently taking the reins in their family business, Lian Guan Trading, is Ben's younger sister Betty Lim (Batch '68), in photo, third from left.  Their eldest brother, Jose "Tek Hua" Lim (Batch '58), in photo, fourth from left, now looks after his own automotive parts & supply business, Regence Enterprises, on Sabayle St.

Another alumnus who is in perpetual motion these days is our indefatigable editor Victor "A-E" Chiu (Batch '65).  Aside from his busy skeds in Iligan, A-E now travels frequently out of town to attend to his clients in Butuan City and CdO as a Certified Public Accountant and systems analyst.  Last Mar. 13 he was in Cebu City to help set up a unified accounting system for Richard Lim's (Batch '68) Johndorf Ventures Corporation in Guizo, Mandaue City.  While in Cebu, A-E took time out to meet with Spectrum founder Charles O. Sy (Batch '67).  The two Spectrum top guns were spotted together in Cebu's famous Eddie's Steak House where they brainstormed on the shape of things to come for the Spectrum.  "Tracers" never fails to smell something big abrewing whenever these two gather for some unannounced powwow.  One such instance was when the twosome got together for a rare meeting sometime in 2002.  Shortly after that, we saw the end of the five-year exile of the Spectrum in Cebu and the Spectrum found its way home to Iligan.  This time around, there could be something bigger in the works, who knows?  Could there be a new major breakthrough in the Spectrum in the days ahead?  Or perhaps a possible shakeup within the staff to replace inactive members? Abangan!  One thing "Tracers" is quite certain though is that, among other things, they two are cooking up something special for Spectrum's 7th anniversary on April 15, 2004.  This bears watching.   Incidentally, come April 14, our former Grade-VI teacher Fidel Fuertes will mark his 80th birthday.   As we all know, at his age, Sir Fuertes is still as healthy and active as ever.  He still rides his bicycle around town for 10 kilometers each day without fail.  Now, can anyone of us beat that?

By Christine Veronica B. Uy

Seniors' Annual Retreat (Batch 2004)

“There is an ongoing battle for the hearts and minds of many young people today. We see the values of the youth being wrongly influenced by different sectors of society (e.g. promotions and toleration of such issue of abortion, pre-marital sex, rebellion to family and to authority of parents, and other violence among the youth).”

This statement was presented as the opening salvo by the CFC-Youth For Christ Ministry, Lanao del Norte Chapter, in a retreat program for our fourth year students last February 6 and 7.

Aimed at assisting our students to discover more about themselves, about family relationship, friendship and how these can be translated and linked to God, consequently, how a Christ-like attitude can be transformed, the facilitators endeavored to address the objectives through series of program activities that only an experienced recollection group can deliver.  Relevant topics such as: “Through the Father’s Eyes, Friends for Life, Perfect Moments, When I Fall in Love, and Free to Choose” effectively touched a chord in the group’s sensibilities.  Here are sample reactions from some of these students who joined the retreat:

“We had a gripe session at about 11 in the evening … I must admit, I felt a twinge of apprehension because I was thinking that the outcome of the session would be a fiasco and that instead of amalgamation and class peace, we would end up as enemies.  Thank God, contrary to what I thought, there was renewal of broken friendships.  The whole program was great from beginning to end.  It was definitely a retreat that’s hard to forget.” --Iradine P. Cabrera

“I have attended lots of retreats, recollections and camp-ins since Grade 6.  They were all similar – they focused on praise & worship, sharing, God.  I thought that this retreat will be boring.  When the facilitators entered the audio visual room, I was shocked to find out, it was like ‘oh my gosh, they looked like they were too serious.’  Grabe, all my first impressions faded out.  They were fun to be with.  We’ve learned a lot of things.  We were able to open up with our classmates and straighten things with them.”  --Roxanne P. Conol

“I don’t really want to join retreats because, honestly, I find them “corny.”  What I dislike most in retreats is writing a letter to our parents because I feel “ilang.”  I never really expected that this retreat would turn out that good.  The facilitators were great. I liked their talks and enjoyed all the activities.”  --Krissa Hanika F. Cabagui

“Magaling sila. Nakuha nila ang aming kiliti.  Alam nila kung anu-ano ang mga bagay na gusto namin.  Masayahin kasi sila kung sharing time na.  Kung ilalahat, masasabing sulit talaga at may kabuluhan.”--Gladys A. Uy

“The retreat was different from all the retreats that I know of because most of these activities always talked about God alone.  This one focused on four aspects – God, friends, family and love.  It was easy to relate to all of them.  I hope that next year the school will still conduct this kind of retreat so that the lower years can also experience the fun that we felt.”   --Lionel Bryan C. Yap

LCHS Juniors-Seniors Promenade

The evening of the 13th day of February 2004 at the Elena Tower Inn was one unforgettable night for our juniors and seniors.  It was THE EVENT of the school year, their JS Prom.

“The miracles of friendship speak from one heart to another, listen for unspoken needs, recognize secret dreams, and understand silent things. Thank you for your friendship!”

This was the written message of the Juniors reflected in their Prom invitation to the Seniors.  The occasion was well planned and prepared from invitation, venue, food to the heart-shaped décor which served as stage centerpiece during the program.

Resplendent in their evening gowns and tuxedos formal wear, the students were all a revelation as they gorgeously marched through the hallway with their respective partners to start with the processional.  It was a night of refinement, as they became ladies and gentlemen, each took turns in handing over the symbolic objects during the Bequeathal Ceremony.

Even the guest speaker, Dr. Nancy Fe M. Puno, Professor of CASS Dept., MSU-IIT, was awe-struck at how the program was presented from the unique formal dance and song numbers to the candle light ceremony.  She made mention of this impression during her speech. Her message, too, brought more understanding of what a real promenade is and, at the same time, provided reflective insights of how friendship should be valued and how gratitude must be worthily accorded to God and to the parents.  To sum it up, the message added more meaning and inspiration to a glamorous occasion.

The prom ended with the most-awaited announcement of the King and Queen of the Prom.  Finally, with much excitement, the judges (Juniors and Seniors) selected Sylvester Siangco (Fourth Year) and Katrina Lee (Third Year) as the night’s Prom King and Queen.

Sincere congratulation goes to the Juniors for the success of the promenade, to Miss Rebecca L. Galgo and Miss Wenna C. Balaido (class advisers of the 3rd & 4th years, respectively) for ably managing the group.  Special thank-you is in order to Mrs. Lilia V. Sy (President of LCHS Parents’ Association) for the delicious lechon, personally donated by her, which added to the already sumptuous dinner prepared by the Elena Tower crew, and also to our teachers who eagerly watched this memorable occasion with affectionate fondness.   Here are excerpts of the notes of gratitude and appreciation from the seniors to the juniors:

TO OUR JUNIOR COLLEAGUES

“The JS promenade for year 2004 was quite different.  Though it started late it was still worth the wait.  The decorations were good and the food was like a feast.  The class prophecy was breathtaking and the formal dance was performed well.”  --Arman Miguel Celdran

“If I were to rate the promenade, I would rate it nine. For me, it was so wonderful.”  --Kenneth Ong

“Overall, the JS promenade was good and enjoyable. We will always remember this great experience.” --Dave De Jesus

“Ang nangyari sa aming JS noong Febrero 13 ay pinakamasaya kong na ‘experience’ sa aking buhay kasi masaya kaming lahat at walang gulo ang nangyari.” --Bjorn Kerwick Chua

“The 3rd year class prepared a very wonderful JS promenade.  The venue was excellent and the decorations were all impressive. All of us were beautiful that night.  I never expected that it would be most fun and enjoyable.”  --Annalyn C. Bernardo

“All I can say about our JS promenade is that it was the best prom so far because we became close to each other – Juniors & Seniors.” --Bryan Capa

“Napakaganda ang gabing iyon. Parang hindi ko gustong matapos. Hindi ko ito malilimutan sa aking buhay, kahit kailan.”  --Sylvester L. Siangco

“The JS Prom last February 13 was an occasion that I will never forget.  Not only did the venue and the atmosphere of the night made it special, but also the people within played a significant part in making the promenade very memorable. It was a night that all of us had fun together.” --Diane Marie K. Zorilla

“The venue was really wonderful. You can really feel the air of love. I knew then that this prom will be unforgettable. Everyone was enjoying and seemed happy. This is the JS prom that I’d treasure for the rest of my life.”  --Roxanne P. Conol

“The place was wonderfully designed with a cute heart on the stage, purposely intended later for pictorials. I couldn’t forget the food because it was very delicious. It was definitely one memorable night to remember.”  --Claire Lorraine L. Co

“Ang pinakamasayang parte ay nang mag-disco at nagsayawan ang mga juniors at seniors. Umiindak ang bawat isa at mas lalong sumaya dahil nakisabay ang mga guro. Kung ilalahat, masasabi kong masaya at naging memorable ang gabing iyon.”  --Gladys A. Uy

Appreciation for humor
Mon, 8 Mar 2004 19:16:17 -0500 (EST)

Dear Alex:  Thanks a lot for sharing with us the Richness of Humour that decreases stress and the Facts of Life that increase knowledge (Spectrum, Mar. 1, 2004 issue).  P.S.: Keep up the good & SMART work, Doc.
--John Go (Batch  '65), Edmonton, Canada, email: johnygo2@yahoo.ca

To Tuti:  Thanks for the response. Hope you're all in the best of health.
--Alex Rodriguez (Batch '65), Miramar, Florida, U.S.A., email: alpacino_8@hotmail.com


Charles O. Sy, Batch '67

I bumped into Joe Booc when I was in Iligan recently.  He told me he will win hands down in the forthcoming election.  I don't really know if he was serious or just Joe-king. -- ooo -- I felt dizzy after a jeepney ride from the Iligan public plaza to the NSC in Overton.  At my age, I can't stand jeep lag. -- ooo --- At the Maria Cristina Hotel cockail lounge I asked the singer to sing me a jazz number, to which she said, "Okey, I'll sing one song jazz for you." -- ooo -- Hiro Nobumasa wrote in our last issue about the struggles of the Ryukyuan people for independence.  When that day comes, Ryukyu should pay tribute to its unsung Hiros. -- ooo -- When members of the Valerio Rovira Lodge elected Philip Steven So as their new Worshipful Master, they were unanimous in saying:  So be it! -- ooo -- A Filipino starlet was reported to be having an affair with a Saudi Arabian tycoon.  They were seen dancing sheik to sheik. -- ooo -- One of the things I did when I was in Iligan last month was to revisit the places that were familiar to us during our early days.  It's a way of tracing our near-forgotten roots and seeking a connection to a city that was home to us for many years before our family transferred to Cebu in 1975.  I spent an afternoon surveying on foot the entire stretch starting from the city plaza toward Quezon Avenue, Cabili Avenue, Sabayle Street and farther on to Roxas Avenue, and Aguinaldo Street before returning to rest my feet back at the Maria Cristina Hotel. -- ooo -- Like taking a trip down memory lane, the long walk along the city's major thoroughfares brought back many fond memories of our yesterdays.  I paused briefly near San Cha Trading on Quezon Ave. and remembered the Raymar's Tailoring somewhere across the street.  Raymar's was our favorite tailoring in the mid 1960s when tight water-repellent pants were in vogue.  A short distance away, I couldn't help but remember the Canton Restaurant, home of the best siopao I've ever savored.  Canton was the city's premier dining place in the 50s and 60s that played host to many wedding banquets on its second floor dining hall.  Along Cabili Avenue I scanned the Lu Do building where the Al Toro Hotel was once a dominant landmark. The legendary hotel of the Diago family is gone and the building has since been leased to the Gaisano Department Store as a warehouse.  Across the street is Coco Grove where the Lanao Mail has its office and printing press.  The site brought back memories of my early college days when I did a column for the newspaper.  From my frequent visits with its editor Emilio Alcuizar in his office I became acquainted with the irrepressible Nonoy Bartolome who was his partner in the hard-hitting radio program, "Saksak Sinagol." -- ooo -- I stopped by the port area to catch a glimpse of  Iligan's magnificent sunset and discovered a new look in the city's harbor.  New reclaimed land now connects the three old extended piers that allows bigger berthing space for today's large vessels.  Along Sabayle St., the aroma of freshly roasted peanuts led me right to the shop of Cheding Peanuts, now a big name in peanut delicacy for which Iligan has become famous.  In the same vicinity is St. Peter's College, still nestled on the same spot.  Although a few new buildings have been added to the campus, the same familiar iron-wrought arch on its main portal still stands there, like a relic frozen in time, to greet students and visitors alike.  Not far away around the corner is the old Sacred Heart Hospital of the Casiño family.  It was a daily sight for many of us on our way to school during our years at the old LCHS Roosevelt campus.  The hospital has long been idle, yet the edifice still lies there looking every inch like a patient on the verge of rigor mortis.

So much memories come flashing back whenever we take a step back in time to trace our old beaten tracks.  These tracks underscore a cherished chapter of our lives, now etched in our memory like virtual footprints in the sands of time.

Marie Janiefer Q. Lee, Batch '87

A few years back our friend who runs a security agency suggested that we should get one security guard for our shop.  At first I was hesitant because these services don’t come cheap.  I know that it’s going to add more weight to my ballooning overhead expenses.  But anyway since we can’t refuse our kumpare’s offer we employed one guard.

The first few days of his existence in our shop was so unnerving for me.  First, I wasn’t used to being greeted with “good morning” as I arrive in the mornings, then I’m not used to being escorted to the car as I leave the shop in the afternoon.  Then when I see him writing something in his blue log book I always get curious as to what he really writes inside that book.   Sometimes I even think that he lists down how many times I yawned  or how many Jollibee chocolate sundaes I had that day.

But sooner than I want to admit I’ve grown accustomed to the guard’s presence even seeks it, for one thing I found more ways to optimize his services.  I instructed him to ask smoking customers to just smoke outside before I sneeze myself to death, since I could never have the courage to ask the customers myself.  Then I also told him to assist customers as they back their cars to avoid accidents.  Then before I realized it I was asking him for the daily newspaper.  Or whenever I’m looking for one of our employees I’d call the guard, or when I need something from the warehouse I ask the guard.  He even keeps all the car keys of all the cars we have, so he knows who left and on what vehicle.  Before I knew it, every time I need something or someone I’d call “guard!”  Their agency changes the guards periodically that’s why calling them “guard” is enough, it means I don’t have to know their real names.  Hehehe.

I didn’t realize how dependent I am to the guard until one time I was having dinner at a restaurant with some friends, and when I called the waiter for my order I yelled “guard!.”  I really turned beet red with embarrassment.  And for the whole duration of that dinner I must have called the waiter “guard” a dozen times.  My friends were already getting more embarrassed than I was. They can see that I wasn’t doing it on purpose; that it was really an honest and an innocent mistake.

Then there’s this one time a friend asked me to go to Clark Field in Pampanga with her .  She assured me that we don’t have to drive since she has a driver.  So I hopped on her brand new Honda CRV and off we went.  Going there took us three hours, and within that couple of hours my friend kept on laughing because whenever I wanted to say or ask something from her driver I would call him “guard.”

Hearing myself call “guard” reminds me a lot of how our late LCHS principal Mr. Henry Tan calls Edgar.  Because he always pronounced it as “Edgard” with a letter “d” at the end.  I’m sure all my classmates know how this sounds.  Edgar by the way is the one who is in-charge of everything inside the campus.  During our time, he mowed the grass, printed the test papers and fixed the sound system, among other things. And the last update that I heard about him is that he is also the one in-charge of delivering every issue of the hardcopy of the Spectrum to your doorsteps.  He is the “superman” inside the campus, one of those unsung heroes.  I last saw him at my Angkong’s wake.  I’m glad to see that he looks well.

Going back to my guard, I can’t say how many more years will I need the services of a security guard but from the looks of it, I’m sure it’s going to be many many more years.  One thing is troubling me though, and that’s how many more years will I keep calling everybody “guard.”

The best things in life come in small packages.  And right now you are looking at one of the best.  For you are looking at a man who holds a Master's degree in Law, from Harvard in the good old U.S.A. -- major in business, minor in height.

Some people are born small.  Some people are born handsome.  And me?  Well, modestly speaking, I was born small and handsome!  But my wife insists that I am not really small.  I am just cute.  And my enemies totally agree with her.  According to them, I am "cute na cute nakakata-cute"!

Indeed I do have enemies.  And they are all tall fellows.  They do not like me because I could never see eye to eye with them.  But I never fight them!  And the reason why I never fight them is because I have always believed in the rules of fair play.  And the rules dictate that when you fight you should pick on someone your own size.  See?  So I fight only with small children.

Frankly speaking, I do not like tall people either.  Tall people are arrogant and snobbish.  They always look down at me!  Short people are better.  We are respectful and we look up!

Not only that.  We have an edge over the tall guys.  We do not have to stoop down to peep at keyholes.

But some people refuse to face reality.  Do you know that at my age they still mistake me for a minor?  That's really embarrassing!  Whenever I go to the restaurant the sexy waitresses run to me to offer me ... a high chair.  I cannot have liquor.  I cannot watch girlie shows.  Just about the only place I can go to is the moviehouse.  Ah, but people there treat me really well.  I get to pay only half the price!

Yet, while there are advantages, being short and small is really frustrating.  Even back in high school my classmates were always looking for ways to ridicule me.  You know, one day I did extremely well in class and they started to call me "Doc."  I was flattered.  They knew I wanted to be a doctor someday and I thought they were starting to respect me.  But not for long.  I soon learned that "Doc" was short for "pandak."

In college, I had some problems in ROTC.  The commandant could not find a rifle short enough for me.  And when we go marching around the campus I could hardly keep pace with the others.  So he sent me to join the Air Force.  Unfortunately, I did not have the makings of a pilot.  At the cockpit I would get buried in the bucket seat.  When I reached for the pedal, I could not see through the windshield.  When I strained to look through the windshield, I could not reach the pedal!  So he sent me back to the Boy Scouts.

Right after college, I got a job.  And even there people keep harping on my shortcomings.  One morning I was seen standing on a stool reaching for something on the shelf and this nitwit ran to me and said, "Ernie, is that really you?"

Now all of these humiliations started to hurt my ego.  It came to a point where I could not bear it any longer.  So I went to a clinic to get some help.  I was referred to a pediatrician!  And to my disappointment, the pediatrician said he was not the right doctor for me.  He told me to see a veterinarian.  "Are you crazy?" I said.  But he explained that vets might help me with growing mash.

That finally brought me to my height of discontent.  I was mad at myself, mad at almost everyone and everything.  But it dawned on me that somehow I had to find a way to stand up to people.  I knew then I had to be a lawyer.  I would be a champion of the law!  Because, if I remember correctly, somebody once said:  "He who has less in height should have more in law!"  Today I have piles and piles of law books, and every time I stand on top of them people look up to me!

And today I have learned to be at peace with myself.  But sometimes I wake up in the dead of the night remembering:  "Jokes are made by fools about me."  And I'd wonder:  Why can't I be as tall as a tree?

[About the author:  Ernesto Limkakeng (in photo) writes from Cebu, Philippines, where he is a lawyer by profession.  He is also engaged in the businesses of poultry and real estate.  An acknowledged kingpin of the Toastmasters clubs in the Philippines, he is past district governor of District 75 of Toastmasters International. He is also a past district governor of District 301-B of Lions International.  He obtained his Bachelor of Laws from the Ateneo de Manila University and his Master's degree in Business Management from the Harvard University, U.S.A.  An eloquent speaker, he has regaled audiences from all over the country with his unique blend of humor in his speeches.  The foregoing is one such piece.]

Denial By Candice Ang Uy Cebu, Philippines

I have come here to our bedchamber for a brief respite.  I yearn to stray away from the pitying eyes and the muffled sobs.  My flesh cringes at the touch of solace and the smell of the lilies is nauseating.  I long to be alone with my thoughts.  I lay upon the immaculate bed, the cold pillow beneath my cheek offering no warmth.  The cold penetrates deep, deep down where frozen tears lay unshed.  I stroke the fine satin, my nerveless fingers remembering the touch of your hair.  I stare unseeingly across the room.

Dead.  To never wake beside you again, to never let slumber take us to where she may, your gentle breathing upon my nape.  I long to hear your footfalls outside the door.  But they never come and the door remains close.  Even the curtains have refused to move, resolutely staying in place.  They tell me with their stillness that you do not lie hidden in their shadows.  The armchair before the fireplace remains unseated, taunting me with its yawning emptiness.  I do not hear my name from your lips, lips which they told me are now sealed in eternal silence.

The day is slowly turning to dusk.  Where once before I welcomed the night, now I utterly detest it.  It is but blackness spent in an eternity of loneliness.  My heart, which you gave life to, is nothing now but a pulsating void of nothingness.  Nothing can console me except your presence and even that has been denied me.  A shiver touches my shoulder and I suddenly long for you to wrap your arms around me.  The cold never touched me before.  My ears are attuned to the slightest sound of your voice and yet it is the wind telling me of your death.  Even she has betrayed me, conspiring with the others to rob me of my only joy.

The ticking of the clock gives me no peace.  How aware I am that time is walking by on leaden feet.  Whenever I was with you time was so fleeting, always chasing after her and chronicling each treasured memory.  The whisper of a word, the glance of a smile.  I stand up and walk over to the window.  The world is bleaker without you but I know that you will not be gone for long.  You have always protected me from the night.  You would never leave me to fend for myself alone.  My shaking fingers touch the lighted match to the lamp and watch the tiny spark spread its light.  Like a captain to his vessel, the light will guide you home.  You will not be lost and I will be waiting to enfold you in my arms once again.

[Author's Note:  Psychologists believe that there are stages involved in Death, especially as they appear to the persons left behind.  The first one is Denial and the final stage is Acceptance.  In this piece I have chosen to dwell on the first stage, speaking of the thoughts that filter through the young widow's mind.  It is my belief that when Death strikes the young, the pain and the emptiness are more piercing and keenly felt.  Comments are welcomed at candz911@yahoo.co.uk]

Missent e-mail
Forwarded by Fermin T. Chio
Cebu, Philippines, email:  fetch@philwebinc.com

A couple from Minneapolis decided to go to Florida for a long weekend to thaw out during one particularly icy winter. They planned to stay at the same hotel where they spent their honeymoon 20 years ago.  Because both had jobs they found it difficult to coordinate their travel schedules, so it was decided that the husband would fly to Florida on a Thursday, and his wife would follow him the next day.

Upon arriving as planned, the husband checked into the hotel.  In his room there was a computer so he decided to send his wife an e-mail back in Minneapolis.  However, he accidentally left out one letter in the address, and sent the e-mail, without realizing his error.

In Houston, a widow had just returned from her husband's funeral.  The husband was a minister who had passed away following a heart attack.   The widow checked her e-mail, expecting messages from relatives and friends. Upon reading the first message, she fainted.  The widow's son rushed into the room, found his mother on the floor, and saw the computer screen which read:

To: My Loving Wife
Subject: I've Arrived

You're probably surprised to hear from me. They have computers here now and you are allowed to send e-mails to your loved ones.  I've just arrived and checked in. I see that everything has been prepared for your arrival tomorrow.  Looking forward to seeing you then!  Hope your journey is as uneventful as mine was.

P.S.  Sure is hot down here!