Vol. 8, No. 8, July 19, 2004

The LCHS Alumni Association is getting set for the LCHS Grand Alumni Homecoming 2005 (GAH2005) which is now only a year away.

The LCHS-AA, during its monthly board meeting last June, has created different working committees to prepare for the second LCHS Grand Alumni Homecoming. The following officers were appointed chairpersons of the various committees, namely Teresita U. Racines, Finance; IPP Vy Beng Hong, Solicitation; Dir. Chester Dy-Carlos, Raffles; Roger Suminguit, Secretariat; PP Arturo G. Samson, Transportation; Dir. Glenda Sy-Cabilan & Fe D. Quimpo, Invitation (Chinese); Dir. Rodolfo Yu, Invitation (English); PP Calix Tan, Programme; and Alumni Kelly Dy, Security & Communication.  Committees on Food/Drinks, Souvenir Program, Media & Information, and Awards have yet to be filled up. The different committee chairpersons are now preparing their initial reports to be presented to the LCHS-AA president in the next month board meeting.  Alumni president Henry C. Dy is encouraging alumni to get actively involved in the preparations for GAH2005 by joining the various committees as members.

GAH2005 is slated on the second week of July 2005, as resolved and set forth during the first grand homecoming in August 2000 (in photo).

LFCCC new officers sworn in July 21

The new officers of the Lanao Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Inc. will be formally inducted into office on July 21, 2002.  Among the new officers are Robert Co, president (in photo); Dominic Siao, executive vice president; Suniel Lim, first vice president; Vy Beng Hong, second vice president; Henry Siao, secretary; and Johnny Sim, treasurer. The affair, to be held at the Crystal Inn, Tibanga, will be attended by chamber members as well as members of the Iligan City Council led by Iligan City Vice Mayor Henry Dy (Batch '64).  Invited as guests of honor are Iligan Mayor Lawrence Cruz and the renowned taipan Lucio Tan, among others.

Johnson "Loloy" Sy, 55

Johnson "Loloy" Sy, aka Sy Bom-Pin (Batch '65), of Lugait, Misamis Or., died of heart attack or CVA (cardio-vascular accident), last July 4. He was rushed from his house in Lugait to the Mindanao Sanitarium Hospital, Iligan City, where he was declared dead on arrival. He was 55 years old. He is survived by his wife Ma. Salome Pamaong, and children Sherwin Jester, Sydney Jay and Stephen Jones (all married). Among his sisters and brothers are Lorna Sy-Ferrolino (USA); Joy Sy-Tablazon (USA), Jonalee Sy-Uy (CdO), Peterson Sy (CdO), and Jorlyn Sy (Iligan).  Bom-Pin's family owns a corn mill in Lugait.  He was widely known among friends and former classmates for his dexterity in games of marbles during his grade school days in LCHS. He was laid to rest on July 14, 2004 at the Pryce Gardens, Sta. Filomena, Iligan. We request our readers to pray for the eternal repose of his soul.

Chin Kong Siong, 92

Chin Kong Siong, 92, aka Ung Jan, passed away at 1 p.m. last July 3 in Iligan City. He was the owner of Salatan Bakery and father of Jerry Chin. He was laid to rest last July 9 at the Iligan Chinese Cemetery. We request our readers to pray for the eternal repose of his soul.

Hey, I'm back!
Sat, 10 Jul 2004 20:42:13 +0000

It has been quite some time that I have not contributed for the "Tracers" column.  I know that "Tracers" is always read ahead of other articles by many of our readers.   I have been closely monitoring our issues through my Internet at home.  But due to heavy workload lately I have not been able to submit my reports for "Tracers" as regularly as I would want to.

To our Spectrum readers, please have some patience and bear with me.  Being assigned as "Tracers" columnist is no easy task but I am delighted and honored nonetheless.  I will try my very best to come up with more interesting reports as often as I can. Thanks and God bless!
--Roger Suminguit (Batch '73), Iligan, Philippines, email: r_suminguit@lycos.com

Mon, 12 Jul 2004
I would like to ask for the email address of Prof. Benedictos. I was his student before at MSU-IIT. Thanks.
--Jose Marlon A. Caumeran, Iligan, Philippines, email: mathrix01@yahoo.com

Wed, 07 Jul 2004 08:23:42 +0800
I wonder if I'm using the correct email address to ask about things from the Spectrum (I totally forgot where to email).  Anyway, this concerns Charles Sy's column about the old Iligan Plaza (Spectrum, July 5, 2004 issue). Is this the plaza which is in front of the police headquarters?  Also, the last portion of the article mentioned about an unfortunate accident that occurred when the city tore down the plaza.  Why did they decide to tear down the plaza?  As far as I know, parks are seldom torn down because they are supposed to boost morale in the community.
--Jonathan Mark Te, Silliman University, Dumaguete, Philippines, email: otan@su.edu.ph

(That's the same plaza in front of the police department.  The old structures were demolished and reconstructed with a new park architecture during the time of Camilo Cabili as city mayor in the mid 1960s .  -- C.O. Sy)

Condolences

Tue, 06 Jul 2004 13:44:53 +0000
Our Fervent prayers for the repose of Loloy Sy and our condolence to the family.
--Alex Rodriguez & family, Miramar, Florida, u.S.A., email: alpacino_8@hotmail.com

To the bereaved family and relatives of Johnson "Loloy" Sy:  "Come to Me all who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28).  In our thoughts and cherished memories, our loved ones are always with us.  Our profound condolence to the untimely demise of Sy Bom Pin.

To Marcy "Son-Son", Felipe "Hon Chin", "Bian-Bian" & family:  Please accept our sincere condolence to the death of Go Po Suan.  Matthew 11:29: "Take My yoke on you and learn from Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest to your souls."
--John Go & family, Edmonton, Canada, email: johnygo2@yahoo.ca
 

Roger Suminguit, Batch '73

Alumni open new food outlets

A new food business has opened along corner Quezon Avenue and Mercado St., Iligan City. It is a new branch of Merry Muffet which has its main branch at Gen. Aguinaldo corner Agoncillo Sts., right at the back of St. Michael’s College.

Merry Muffet is owned and operated by architect Robert Lee, husband of Ellen Ang (’75), in photo at left, and Stephen Ang (’74).  They also run a chain of pawnshops and YKL Developing Centers in strategic areas in the city.  These enterprising threesome also plan to open another food outlet along corner Lluch and Gen. Aguinaldo Sts., just a stone's throw from Merry Muffet's main branch. It is a new two-storey building with roof garden.  The Lee couple and Stephen Ang have been in the food, pawnshop and photo service business for quite sometime now.  Their businesses have contributed so much to the socio-economic progress in the city.  Ellen and Stephen are the children of Henry Ang and Rita Sy-Ang.

Another alumnus, Jerry Salatan Chin, son of the late Mr. Ung Jan and Paulina Salatan, owner of the famous Salatan Bakery, Ocean Pearl Restaurant, Francisca’s Inn, and Chelina Beach Resort located along the the shoreline at Brgy. Santa Filomena, has opened a new food business.  It's named Mr. J, a chicken house, adjacent to the Elena Tower Inn in Tibanga, Iligan City (near to MSU-IIT).  Peachy Lim, daughter of LCHS-AA First Vice President Suniel Lim (Batch '66), is now connected with the Database Management Department of the five-star Intercontinental Hotel in Manila.

More and more alumni these days are seeking spiritual fulfillment through various religious groups.  The newest convert is Roderick Ngo (Batch '70) who has turned a new leaf.  He now spends more time in praying instead of playing.  He is a devoted member of the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals in Cebu City.  The group holds its regular fellowship every Saturday morning which Rod says he never misses in attending.  Meanwhile, Vivina Chiu-Yrastorza (Batch '61) has just returned from a trip across Canada and Europe where she, together with her tour companions, had an audience with Pope John Paul in Rome and attended opera in Paris. Just the other week the Uy sisters, namely Marcela Uy, Eliza Uy (Batch '61), in photo at center, and Lalita Uy (Batch '67), arrived back in Iligan from a week-long trip to Taiwan where they had a reunion with their kinfolk.  They also made a sentimental journey to Kinmen where they visited their ancestral homes. Just recently engaged was Jennifer Chan, in photo at right, eldest daughter of Felipe Chan and the late Susan Ong-Chan (Batch '67), in Cebu.  Jennifer was engaged to Elfred Liong of Ozamis City last month in traditional engagement ceremonies at Felipe Chan's elegant residence in Maria Luisa Subdivision, Banilad, Cebu City.  Jennifer and Elfred have set their wedding day on Oct. 17, 2004.

ERRATUM:  In our last issue's "Alumni News Roundup" (Spectrum, July 5, 2004), the name Norma Wee-Siao should have been Juanita "Nene" Siao.  We are sorry for the oversight.  Nene was part of the group who joined the Mediterranean cruise aboard the luxury liner "Star Princess" recently.  Among those in the tour group were Alfredo "Chu Tek" Sy, Rosie "Bian-Bian" Siao-Sy, Henry Siao, Juanita "Nene" Siao, Ben Sy, and Florcita "Otay" Huan Tiu-Sy.

Charles O. Sy, Batch '67

It was a bridge that almost all of us had to cross during our LCHS days in the 50s and 60s. It was the wooden bridge across the Baslayan Creek along what was then Roosevelt Street (now renamed Labao St.).

We took this path daily en route to school and on our way home. Lush nipa and mangroves lined the Baslayan river banks where we spent some of our childhood frolics. There wading knee-deep, we scoured the marsh for mud crabs, and other denizens of the murky waters such as halu-an and ibis. Armed with nothing but an appetite for adventure, Saturday afternoons would find us combing the river banks under the bridge all the way to Coco Grove, and exiting at another bridge along what was then Washington St., where the river snaked its way into the mouth of the Tambacan River.

Crossing the Baslayan bridge was a trip of discovery in itself; at times even more unforgettable than biology lessons in school. Commuting along the same path daily, we inevitably got to witness the changing states of decomposition of occasional carcasses of cats and dogs thrown away into the estero by mindless owners. The sight was revolting to the senses. Even more repulsive was the stench from the decay. But we soon grew accustomed to such grim encounters and considered them as part of the sights and smells of our daily trip to school.

Crossing the bridge in the evening was a different story altogether. On our way to attend evening programs in school, we never failed to mutter "Tabi, Apo," as instructed by old folks, when approaching the bridge. That, to our mind, was enough to assure ourselves that we had permission of the river spirits to cross their turf without harm. Whose spirits we were addressing I never knew. Could they have been spirits of the departed cats and dogs?

In due time, our mode of transit improved somewhat. Instead of hiking, we now biked our way to school. It was a newfound luxury. Even then, crossing the bridge on my bicycle also posed a challenge. One had to steer the bike within a narrow and decrepit gangplank across the bridge. God knows how many times my tires veered off the path when I was learning to bike. I fell off so many times I stopped counting after three falls out of sheer embarrassment.

Today, the old Baslayan wooden bridge has been replaced by a reinforced concrete structure. LCHS students have ceased to pass this way since the school moved to its new site in Pala-o.  Gone are the sights of lush nipa and mangroves by the river banks, of children wading in the marsh, of carcasses rotting under the midday sun. Even so, for many of us, crossing the bridge today, regardless of its new structure, still seems like taking a trip to a distant past that refuses to be swept away downstream.

Marie Janiefer Q. Lee, Batch '87

Kinmen, the home of our forefathers, birthplace of most of our parents.  Before I saw the place for the first time last June 22, Kinmen for me was a small village surrounded by mountains.  I thought that it must be so isolated with very poor living conditions which drove our ancestors to Iligan City many many years ago.  With just an overnight bag in one hand, since I never intended to stay longer than two nights, taking in the view from outside the airport I knew that I know very little about Kinmen, the place that would always bring that reminiscent look in the eyes of all amas and angkongs in Iligan.

For a place with a population of only 40,000, they have a big airport, bigger than the one we have in CdO.  They have concrete roads that lead everywhere.  And since my uncle who met us at the airport doesn’t know how to operate the air-conditioning system of his mini car, we had to tour around the city “al fresco” and the car made me feel so “cool” just like Mr.Bean -- although it messed up my hair-do into a big hairball. I must thank him still because he gave me a chance to get the sights, sounds and smell of Kinmen first-hand.

How did Kinmen get it’s name?  “Kim Meng” or Golden Gate, according to the “geomancy of dragon veins,” is poised like a solid gold gate that guards the Quan-Zhang area, thus the name.

The geography book says that “Kinmen or Quemoy refers to a group of islets lying at approximately 24 degrees N latitude and 118 degrees longitude in affiliation with the Euroasian continent.  Under the jurisdiction of the Fujian Province, these islands are situated in a key position on the sea, facing west to the entrance of Xiamen (Amoy) Bay in the mainland  and separated from the Taiwan proper on the east across the Taiwan Straits.  Therefore Kinmen is called the Gibraltar of Asia.”

Arriving at the “Golden Gate” and meeting dozens of uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews gave me this certain feeling of being right at home but was I really home?  The laid back lifestyle at Kinmen reminds me so much of Iligan.  Made me wonder whether at some point did our forefathers influence the culture in Iligan or was it that specific similarity which enticed them to settle permanently in Iligan?  It’s like asking which came first: the egg or the chicken.

I also learned that the communities in the outskirts of Kinmen are clustered according to family name or by clans.  So there’s a community of the Lee clan, the Sy clan and the Co clan, just to name a few.  When we visited the ancestral home of my mother I was surprise to find out that it’s sitting right next to the ancestral home of my mother-in-law.  When they told me before that they were neighbors I thought that they just lived in the same community, it never occurred to me that they were literally next-door neighbors.  Given such a tightly knitted community, no wonder our elders are very specific when addressing a certain relative.  This is one of those so called “enlightened” moments for me because finally I know why there’s a specific title for all the relatives on both the mother’s and the father’s side.  Because living together in one community would have posed problems if we refer to everybody as just “uncle” or “aunt.” This is probably one of the main reasons why our elders give such a big fuss over the proper titles.

The houses there are constructed in traditional Fujian architecture.  The interesting thing about their houses is that we could distinguish the houses of soldiers or high-ranking officials by the Swallow’s tail design of its roof (in photo).  I know my uncle who pointed out this special architectural design must have told us the reason for the design but I got lost along the translations.  But of course that’s just an excuse. Because he wasn’t using Mandarin; he was using our very own Fukien or what they all call the Tai-ge or Taiwan language.  The truth is, my brain just couldn’t keep up with the barrage of information from him. Having lived all his  life in Kinmen makes him the best tourist guide we could ask for.

When he showed us the Guningtou Area (this is the area where the invaders from mainland China tried to sneak in in that very memorable Guningtou War in 1949), he can tell the details of the war as if it just happened yesterday.  I thought “wow, he must really have done his homework to be able to relay the whole story like that.”  Only to find out later in one of the museums that he was really there during the war.  He pointed out this photo of a group of young soldiers taken right after the war and he was one of the young brave men.  Omigosh! I was dumbfounded.  I just thought that the war happened eons ago that nobody in the present time was already alive then.  Of course if I do my math, I know that people who are in their 70’s and 80’s should have been adults during the war. Made me realized too that if our ancestors didn’t leave Kinmen when they did, there’s a big chance that we wouldn’t have been born.  Because Kinmen has been through really tough times, and that Guningtou war alone left so many women husbandless and so many kids fatherless.

It took us just a few hours to tour most of Kinmen, but the scenery, like the architecture, the potteries and the stories took me back hundreds of years.  It was amazing!

After that few hours of touring Kinmen, the cool breeze, the clear blue sky, the uncluttered streets, the sound of the different birds, the fragrance of liquor coming from the factory convinced me that I want to spend my last days in a place just like this.

Kinmen, the place that our forefathers call home; a lot of them never made it home and some may never really make it home, but personally I wish that someday, with a bagful of clothes, I could go back and make Kinmen my home.

Age matters
Forwarded by Susan Lim de la Cruz
Iloilo, Philippines

Bob, a 70 year old extremely wealthy widower, shows up at the Country Club with a breathtakingly beautiful and sexy 25 year-old blonde who knocks everyone's socks off with her youthful sex appeal and charm who hangs over Bob's arm and listens intently to his every word.  His buddies at the club are all aghast.  They corner him and ask, "Bob, how'd you get the trophy girlfriend?"

Bob replies, "Girlfriend? She's my wife!"
They're knocked over, but continue to ask. "So, how'd you persuade her to marry you?"
Bob says, "I lied about my age."
His friends respond, "What do you mean?  Did you tell her you were only 50?"
Bob smiles and says, "No, I told her I was 90."

James Bender, in his book "How To Talk Well," relates the story of a farmer who grew award-winning corn. Each year he entered his corn in the state fair it won a blue ribbon.

One year a newspaper reporter interviewed him and learned something interesting about how he grew it. The reporter discovered that the farmer shared his seed corn with his neighbors.

"How can you afford to share your best seed corn with your neighbors when they are entering in competition with yours each year?" the reporter asked.

"Why sir," said the farmer, "didn't you know? The wind picks up pollen from the ripening corn and swirls it from field to field. If my neighbors grow inferior corn, cross pollination will steadily degrade the quality of my corn. If I am to grow good corn, I must help my neighbors grow good corn."

He is much aware of the connectedness of life. His corn cannot improve unless his neighbor's corn also improves.

So it is with our lives.  Those who choose to live in peace must help their neighbors to live in peace.  Those who choose to live well must help others to live well, for the value of life is measured by the lives it touches. And those who chose to be happy must help others to find happiness, for the welfare of each is bound up with the welfare of all.

So if you have something good, don't keep it to yourself but share it.  It is when we give that we receive ... and much more.