Vol. 7, No. 4, May 26, 2003

Last May 17, the seven-man board of trustees of the LCHS Alumni Foundation elected Sio Te Dy (in photo) as president for a fixed term from 2003 to 2005.  Other officers elected with her are Mary Ann “Andy” Lee, executive vice-president; and Fe D. Quimbo, vice president for internal affairs.  After the election, the president appointed Roger Suminguit as secretary, Catalina Dagohoy-Decipolo (Batch ’75) as treasurer, and Suniel Lim as auditor.  The seven-man board of trustees who were elected on March 18 this year are Roger Suminguit, Dy Sio Te, Christopher “Tek-An” Chua, Mary Ann “Andy” Lee, Suniel Lim, Fe D. Quimbo and Vy Beng Hong.

Henry Dy elected to BSP board anew

Henry C. Dy (Batch '64) was elected anew as member of  National Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP).   He will represent the business sector in the board.  The election was held during the 47th Annual National Council Meeting of the BSP held at the Maria Cristina Hotel, Iligan City last May 17.  Over 400 delegates from all over the Philippines attended the gathering.
 

Miss Iligan chosen as Queen of Tourism Int'l Noela Mae Evangelista, Miss Iligan of 2002 (in photo), was named Queen of Tourism International last May 17 at the grand finals in Cancun, Mexico, beating more than three dozen other candidates from around the world.  Observers said that the pageant jurors were impressed with her exotic morena looks and her regal bearing.  Her extensive ramp experience surely made the day.  First runner-up was Miss Colombia and second runner-up was Miss Australia.  Miss Evangelista was among the five finalists in the recent 2003 Binibining Pilipinas contest.

Tsinoy students return home from Xiamen

The Tsinoy students who spent nearly two months in the Xiamen Summer Tour flew home last May 19 to the welcoming arms of their parents.  All students arrived home safely after completing the full length of their summer study in Xiamen, China. Among those in the group were Kenderick Ngo, son of Roderick Ngo (Batch '70), and Agnes Gail Sy, daughter of Nelson Sy (Batch '62).  No less than business tycoon and philanthropist Lucio Tan, head of the sponsoring Tan Yan Kee Foundation, led the reception party for the 268 students who braved the trip to Xiamen out of the original group from which many backed out at the height of the SARS outbreak.  A happy Lucio Tan rewarded the homecoming students with a full day's stay at the Century Park Hotel complete with signing privileges. Tan also rewarded the students with a digital tape recorder each and a refund of US$550 from their registration fee of US$600. The students also regaled their parents with their presentations at the dinner-program held at the ballroom of the Century Park Hotel on May 20.  The affair was attended by Lucio Tan and Robin Sy, president of the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry.  The top three students of the entire class also came home richer with a Pentium-IV computer set for 1st honor, a Palm Top for 2nd honor, and a computerized translator for 3rd honor.

Paza-Chua nuptial

Eric John J. Paza exchanged marital vows with Tuesday Mae B. Chua on May 24, 2003 at two o'clock in the afternoon at Corpus Christi Parish, Tubod, Iligan City.  The groom is the son of Mr. Edilberto V. Paza and Mrs. Rustica J. Paza.  The bride is the daughter of Mr. Alexander Y. Chua (Batch '60) and Mrs. Perla B. Bernardo (Batch '60).  Among the principal sponsors are Henry Dy, Esterlita Dy, James So, Ursulina Esteban, Fernando Khu, Sio Te Dy, Alberto Bernardo, Mary Evelyn So, Ruperto Eltanal, Rebecca Eltanal, Lucio Emmanuel Maramara, Ma. Soledad Maramara, Marianito Alemania, Maridel Alemania, Rolando Jabines, Alyn Jabines, Herminegildo Tindoy and Milagros Tindoy.  Reception followed immediately after the ceremony at Elena Tower Inn, Tibanga, Iligan City.

Oliver Uy's son baptized

Last May 17, Ernest Oliver C. Uy (Batch ’87) christened their new son Carl Oliver at the Resurrection of the Lord Chinese Filipino Community Church.  Their other children are Mary Olivienn, 7 years old, Ernest Mikkhail, 5 years old, Elisse Mikhaela, 3 years old. The three children are enrolled at Lanao Chung Hua School.

To China and back

Out of forty Chinese teachers who were invited for the summer studies, only few went to China due to SARS scare.  Among the few brave souls was Glenda Sy-Cabilan, in photo at left, who did not pass up the opportunity to undergo further studies in Chinese language and other subjects.  Not to be outdone, jetsetter Rodolfo Yu also went to Xiamen and Beijing for educational and cultural tour.  The two are arriving home just in time for the school opening.  Surely, their motto must be:  Don't let fear make your world get smaller every day.  Meanwhile, back recently from a vacation in the U.S.A. are James Booc (Batch '82) and batch mate Phillip Steven So.  Currently still on vacation in the U.S.A. is Conchita Te-Ong (Batch '61), where she is visiting her son who is now a U.S. resident.  Conchita, or Kheng Giok as she is better known in Iligan, is connected with China Drug Store, home of oriental medicines in Cebu City. And soon to take a well-deserved two-month vacation and tour of the U.S.A. is Elita Ong-Lai (Batch '62).  She will also be visiting her two sons who are now pursuing their careers in America, namely Alfred "Al" Lai (Batch '89) and Bryan Bruce Lai (Batch '94).  Al, a former Spectrum correspondent, is now working as a registered nurse in Chicago, where he has bought his own condominium.  Bryan, in photo at center, on the other hand, is based in Indiana.  Their father Alfredo Lai (Batch '59), in photo at right, who also spent five months with his children in the U.S.A., returned home to Iligan last March.

Roger Suminguit, Batch '73

Alumni gradually "invading" Cebu

Watch out, LCHS alumni are gradually invading Cebu.  More and more alumni are now either pouring their investments or establishing their future foothold in Cebu.  "Tracers" recently learned that Sy Ben Gui (Batch '57) not only has a new residential house in Mabolo, Cebu City, he also owns a commercial building right in the downtown area along Jakosalem St.  His brother Richard Sy, on the other hand, has constructed a row of elegant townhouses for lease somewhere near the premises of Seafood City Restaurant in Lahug.  Another alumnus, Joseph "Kangkang" Siao (Batch '68), has also made Cebu his second home.  He owns a condominium unit in Villa Aurora, Mabolo and a residential property at the San Antonio Village, near the Montebello Villa Hotel.  Kangkang and his wife shuttle regularly between Iligan, Cebu, and the U.S.A.  And there's Joel Chiu (Batch '82) who now resides in Cebu and owns a computer store called Leading Enterprise along Gen. Maxilom Ave.  There's also Jaime Rodriguez (Batch '65) who has moved over to Cebu together with his wife not so long ago.  And, as "Tracers" earlier reported, currently under construction are the residential house of Jesus Dy (Batch '63) and wife Melania, located at the Grand Pacific Villa on Mactan island, and the apartment building of Aurora Ong-Sy (Batch '66) in Guadalupe, Cebu City.  Meanwhile, spotted recently taking a quick trip to Manila was our former Spectrum editor Charles O. Sy (Batch '67).  He flew to Manila from Cebu for a day last May 22 to pay his sister a visit and to see his niece who arrived home from Los Angeles, U.S.A. for a brief vacation in Manila.

The guy on TV ads

Can you guess who was that actor who appeared on national TV ads promoting the "Oriental Rice Bowl" of Kentucky Fried Chicken?  He also guested in ABS-CBN TV series "Mula Sa Puso" not once but several times.  He also appeared with Janno Gibbs in Emperador Brandy TV ads.  To give you some hints on his identity, he always went around Iligan with Chester Dy and spent many hours with friends at Teepoy's and Taps, their favorite hang-outs.  He was last seen in Iligan on March 30 during the LCHS graduation exercises.  This fine gentleman with the profile of a movie actor responds to the name that begins with the letter G.  If that doesn't ring a bell, you might as well know that he is a cousin of Josefiel, Janiefer and Joan.  It would be redundant to say that he is the son of a prominent alumnus and redundant still to say that he is a cousin of Jacob, Jerry and Jason.  If you still feel clueless after all the spoon-feeding, go and watch those TV ads.  It would be a great pleasure to find out the answer yourself.

Looking for Salvador Nosce
Tue, 20 May 2003 16:48:49 +0800

Hi, my name is Benjie Velarde, I am the Web Administrator and Developer of the UST Golden Corps of Cadets Official Website (http://www.goldencorps.net). While I was doing a routine Web Search, I came across your site (http://www.oocities.org/lchsspectrum/sp-01-06-03.html) which mentioned the name "Salvador Nosce".  I was wondering if he is the same Salvador Nosce from the UST Advance ROTC pioneer class of 1939 (http://www.goldencorps.net/history.php?page=pioneers).  We developed the goldencorps website to give honor to the Thomasian heroes who had offered their lives in the defense of our country ... especially during the Japanese occupation.  We also wish to honor our beloved alumni by including their "cadet-photos" and "cadet/war stories" in the Alumni Section of the site.  If by chance you can help us establish a link with Mr. Nosce (or any relative interested to support us), kindly give my email address (bvelarde92@goldencorps.net or lawin92@yahoo.com) to him/them.  We deeply appreciate your support.  Best Regards. --Benjamin Joseph E. Velarde, Golden Cross and Sabre, UST Advance ROTC Alumni, Class 1992, Manila, Philippines, e-mail:  benji@chikka.com

Nomination for LCHS-AA board

The LCHS-AA directors and officers will met on May 28, 2003 during the regular board meeting to discuss several agenda, among which is the election of new set of board of directors sometime next month. The meeting shall focus on the nomination of alumni who will be willing and able to serve.  In addition to the new nominees, the incumbent directors and officers will be automatically included as candidates for the election. The new set of directors and officers will have very crucial task of laying the groundworks for the holding of the Second Grand Alumni Homecoming scheduled in July, 2005.  We are now appealing to all alumni to participate on this nomination and election. You can send your nomination to the LCHS-AA Secretary, Tan Lam Glass Palace, Inc., Quezon Ave., Ext., Palao, Iligan City, Telefax. No. 221-2422.


Marie Janiefer Q. Lee, Batch '87

“Cowboys and Indians” is a favorite game of little boys.  Where the cowboys are supposed to be the good guys going after the Indians who are supposed to be the bad guys.  That’s one of the “facts” we get from those wild wild west movies.  But in real life, especially to the life of my friend Indian, he is the one who’s after the bad guys in our society.  He is not a gun-totting vigilante like the ones who are allegedly roaming in streets of Davao City.  He is doing this by the book, I mean by using the arms of justice.  I’m talking about our own Indian -- my elementary classmate who’s now more appropriately addressed as Atty. Geronimo Sy.

In the May 19, 2003 issue of Malaya, one of the leading daily newspapers in the country, A.P. Macasaet wrote about "an uncompromising and quiet assistant state prosecutor in the Department of Justice" and the person being referred to is our very own Indian.  I feel so proud of him.  It was in that article where I learned that he heads the prosecution team of the Rose Baladjay syndicated estafa case.  FYI, this case hit the lime light a few months ago because of it’s “widespread” nature, meaning this scam victimized thousands of investors and the figure involved could run as high as several millions.  Most of the victims invested their lifelong savings only to find out that their hard-earned money has gone to naught.  Why some people fall for this type of easy-money scheme is beyond me and deserves to be in another article.  For now let’s focus our spotlights on Mr. Assistant State Prosecutor.

The Malaya article mentioned that he is in his “late 30’s” which I’m sure Indian would be screaming “objection your honor” because he is just 33.  That’s hardly “late 30’s”! Although the writer was right about one thing by mentioning that he is an “intelligent man, staying unmarried.” Yes, I agree that it is a very intelligent choice, and yes he is very much single which made me wonder how he is related to my ex-boss, Mr. Charles O. Sy.   Is bachelorhood something that runs in the family?  Just kidding, guys.  I have to say this before somebody sues me for libel and slander.

Indian is the son of an LCHS alumnus Mr. Felipe G. Sy (Batch 1956, a.k.a Sy Hong Chin) and Mrs. Bebie Sy.  His older sister Carolyn is now residing in Toronto, Canada, and his younger brother Rommel is now in L.A.  They moved to Cebu when we were in grade two.  So he finished elementary and high school at Cebu Eastern College. Then he took up B.S. Management Engineering at the Ateneo University and proceeded to Law at the same university.  He took and passed the bar exam in 1995.  He is currently taking his Master’s Degree in Public Management at U.P.

I know that with just a few years of stay in LCHS, that we can’t really stamp a seal of ownership on this Indian but there’s no denying that he belonged to our batch.  It may not be the batch that graduated in 1987 but we belong to the same batch who started grade one in 1977.  Any objections?  If there’s any form of protest, just course it through the legal office of Spectrum ( if there’s such a thing).  I just hope my new boss Mr. Victor Chiu won’t kill me for initiating a legal battle.

Well, let’s get back to the story.  Actually I’ve lost communications with Indian right after he left Iligan.  It was only in the early 90’s when my classmate Janet Chun, Indian’s cousin, brought him along when she visited me once.   Then I lost tracked of him again until I got an email from him one day in 2000 that he found my email address through the Spectrum.  It was then where we resumed emailing daily.  Up until now we would get in touch either through email or text so wherever he is -- be it in the sunny and sandy beaches of Boracay or visiting his grandmother in Iligan, I would know.

One thing that really impressed me is the fact that he never fails to show up whenever I’d invite him to some gatherings. This means a lot to me.  And this also means that fame and fortune hasn’t gone to his head (just yet and I hope it’ll never be).  He came to my daughter’s baptism and then he also barely made it to my mother’s 70th birthday.  He even goes out with my husband once in a while to paint the town red on Sabado nights.  I know how busy he must be, not only with his career and his studies but I’m sure being single keeps his hands full all the time.  I’m just amazed at how he does it.  I guess this is time management working. I admire how well he handles his schedules.

I can still remember what he said during my daughter’s baptism -- that being single has relegated him to being the “uncle” of his friends' kids.  It’s like his asking when is it going to be the party of his own kid?  Which made me think that the phases of life that we all go through can be mirrored in the types of party we get to be invited to.  First, we go to our friends’ weddings, then their kids’ baptisms, then a string of kiddie parties.  And if we’re blessed with a long life then we get to attend the wedding of our friends’ children.  But, hey, wait, before we talk about kids, I must remind my friend that we should talk about a wife first.  I must have asked him so many times about this issue, like what does he really look for in a woman.  And it was only recently when he finally admitted that he is “picky” when it comes to women.  I’m glad he is now through denying this fact.  So I just skip the sermon and assured him that there’s no point in hurrying since unlike women, men don’t have biological clocks that seem to tick faster when we reach the age of 30.  Men can always get married when they want to, they can get brides who are half their age and people won’t even bat a lash. Again this is one of the unfair deals in life.  But again this is another story.

I’m sure everybody knows that an informal meaning of the word “indian” in Filipino is when we’re referring to somebody who makes it a habit not to show up when expected to.  But then again our Indian isn’t that type of person.  He has proven time and again that he is no “indian.” He is really a “cowboy” at heart.

To Indian, God speed my friend.  We need more people like you in the Justice department.  With more people like you in the department I’m sure majority of the Filipino people would finally have faith in our justice system once again.

Charles O. Sy, Batch '67

The latest trend in the fashion world is designer masks for protection against SARS virus.  These glamorous masks are now selling like hot cakes among people with a knack for SARS-torial elegance. -- ooo -- In view of the shortage of N95 face masks, Roderick Ngo is proposing that we cover our mouth with bra instead.  His proposal may seem SARS-castic but it would be interesting to see women shedding off the bra from where it used to be. -- ooo -- My dentist says people who don't take good care of their teeth lack molar values. -- ooo -- It says in a news report that a deranged man has killed three rice and grain traders in a span of one week somewhere in Negros Occidental.  The police is still on the manhunt for this cereal killer. -- ooo -- I have a friend who plays the piano by ear.  The problem is she often gets her earrings caught between the keys. -- ooo -- In addition to his successful line of Coleman products, Stephen Sy is hitting it big again with another lucrative distributorship of SieMatic kitchenware in Manila.  It seems every venture he is Stephen into invariably turns to gold. -- ooo -- The Dutch have a superstitious belief that people who dislike cats will be carried to the cemetery in the rain when they die.  Dutch a lot of nonsense. -- ooo -- A subdivision somewhere in northern Cebu was invaded by a swarm of locusts.  Maybe these pests are trying to establish their own locust housing program. -- ooo -- After a major earthquake in Northern California, a group of concerned local citizens set up the San Andreas Fund, which goes to show that some Americans can be generous to a fault. -- ooo -- Postscript:  If we go by the book, the current LCHS-AA officers will have completed their two-year term by this month. Unless their term is extended for one reason or another in a holdover capacity, a new batch of officers may soon be elected to serve the next two years.  This is a crucial issue in light of the 2005 Grand Alumni Homecoming which is now only two years away.  Much of the success of the next GAH will depend on whoever is at the helm by then.  As we all know, the bulk of the work takes place not during the GAH itself but on year-long preparations prior to the grand event.  On the shoulders of the next president and his new team rests the yeoman's job of laying the groundworks for GAH2005.  Will the incumbent president Vy Beng Hong be elected for another term? If not, who will be his successor?  This certainly bears watching in the days ahead.  The earlier the succeeding officers are in place, the sooner preparations for GAH2005 can be set in motion.

By Candice Ang Uy

The people tell of a princess long ago
When kings and princes once ruled so

Sleeping Beauty was her name
For Beauty and Goodness she was famed.

Eyes of Sapphire blue and sun-kissed hair
Praises were sung for she, most wondrous fair

How could anyone foretell
The tragedy that was soon to befell

For upon her an angry fairy heaped a curse
As she lay in the arms of her nurse.

On her sixteenth birthday she shall prick her finger
In endless sleep she shall linger

Only will she wake from love's first kiss
And in her true love's arms find lasting bliss.

The sad day soon came to pass
Grief and gloom over the castle was cast

The good fairies then cast a spell
Endless sleep for the people who loved the princess well.

Entangling vines and climbing ivy hid the tower
Magic at its most vile power

For years and years 'twas hidden from view
Tales of the sleeping princess so grew.

Kings and knights sought to gain
Alas! Their most gallant efforts were in vain.

Then one day came a young king
The good fairies guided his mighty swing

Thick vines and ancient ivy fell before his way
And in his heart surged hope so gay.

Upon such enchanted loveliness he was greatly stirred
That sweet a kiss, her eyes afluttered

Soon there was great rejoicing over the land
In marriage he took her hand

And happily they lived thereafter
Fathering many a son and daughter.

BATCH 2001
Piscean Mae Aranton, Doña Maria Subd., Phase II, Bara-as, Iligan City; Wilbur Chua, Zamora St., Iligan City, tel. 221-3931; Aimeelyn Fuentes; Ghelbe Garay, 0021 Jade Ave., Don Gregorio Lluch Subd., Iligan City, tel. 223-5473; Luzette Go, 25 Jamille St., Tibanga, Iligan City, tel. 221-3871; Irish Mae Kuan, 3rd Blk, Doña Juana Subd., Pala-o, Iligan City, tel. 221-4421; Jeremy Ling, JWL Multi Sales, Aguinaldo St., Iligan City, tel. 221-3688; Dax Vincent Lua, 127 T. Padilla St., Cebu City, tel. 232-7986; Carissa Ong, 0233-C Dimostan Apt., Pala-o, Iligan City, tels. 221-5421; 221-5127; Jane Dale Racines, Princeton St., Celdran Village, Iligan City, tel. 221-2244; Ma. Christine Samson, Purok 5, Tambo Gerona, Iligan City, tel. 221-1633; Sheila Vy, Bro. Solomon Hall, 1025 C. Ayala St., Malate, Manila, e-mail: she_vy@yahoo.com; and Katherine Yu, DBP Road, Mahayahay, Iligan City, tels. 221-2377, 221-3132.

[This concludes our series on batch directory.  Succeeding batch lists will be posted in our subsequent issues as soon as their data are received from their respective batch members.]
 

EDITORIAL STAFF VICTOR L. CHIU, editor Correspondents: Roger Suminguit,Teresita Racines, Charmaine Molo, Rodolfo Yu & Virginia Handumon-Te; Castor Ong Lim, business manager, & Marie Joan Q. Quidlat, treasurer, (Iligan); Igdono Caracho (Cebu); Marie Janiefer Lee (Manila); Peter Dy (Canada); Leonardo Tan (Australia); Ernesto Yu & Aurora Tansiokhian (U.S.A.); and Charles O. Sy & Henry L. Yu, past editors. Founded Aug. 1, 1968.  Published fortnightly since its revival on April 15, 1997. Distributed free on the Internet to LCHS alumni & supporters worldwide. Postal address: LCHS Alumni Association, Lanao Chung Hua School, Pala-o, Iligan City, Philippines. Web site: www.oocities.org/lchsspectrum.Spectrum welcomes articles, news reports & comments from LCHS alumni, students and readers. For subscription, contact Roger Suminguit, tel. 221-2422. For contribution, e-mail manuscripts to the editor: perfidia6180@hotmail.com with cc to: spectrum@iligan.com