Vol. 8, No. 16, Nov. 8, 2004

Vice Mayor Henry Dy (in photo) was acting mayor of Iligan while the city mayor was out of the country from Oct. 17 to 30, 2004 (later extended up to Nov. 3).  The Executive Order designating Henry Dy as acting mayor was signed by Mayor Lawrence Cruz last Oct. 11.  The full text of Executive Order No. 135, Series of 2004, reads:

"WHEREAS, the local Government Code of 1991, otherwise known as Republic Act No. 7160, authorizes the incumbent local chief executive whenever he travels to designate in writing the officer-in-charge of the office of the local chief executive;

"WHEREAS, the undersigned will travel outside of the country to attend the seminar on Finland’s Political and Electoral System; Democracy and Good Governance; and Municipal Administration to be held on October 19 to 26, 2004 in Helsinki, Finland as well as observe the elections in one of the municipalities of Finland on the 24th of October.

"NOW THEREFORE, I, LAWRENCE LL. CRUZ, by virtue of the powers vested upon me by the law as Mayor of Iligan City, hereby designate CITY VICE MAYOR HENRY C. DY as Acting mayor for the period from October 17 to 30, 2004.

"As such, he may exercise all the functions inherent in the office of the Local Chief Executive, subject only to the limitations provided for by law. Acts that are policy-determining, however, must await the return of the undersigned unless these are of utmost urgency which necessities the expressed approval of the undersigned.  Done this 11th day of October 2004 in the City of Iligan, Philippines.  (Sgd) Mayor LAWRENCE LL. CRUZ"
 

TIME FOR CELEBRATION LCHS FOUNDATION DAY Nov. 10-12, 2004, LCHS CAMPUS, PALA-O, ILIGAN CITY

Alumni affirmed as life members in Freemasonry

Several LCHS alumni were affirmed as life members of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rites of Freemasonry during the Feast of Tishri and Ceremony of Life Membership Award Program in Iligan City last Oct. 26.  Among the awardess were Henry K. Ang, 33 deg. IGH; PP. Christopher Y. Chua, 33 deg. IGH; Edwin S. Co, 33 deg. IGH; Robert S. Co, 33 deg. IGH; Fernando P. Khu, 33 deg. IGH; Mateo R. Uy, 32 deg. KCCH; Pres. Henry C. Dy, 32 deg. KCCH; Suniel S. Lim, 32 deg. KCCH; LCHS-AA adviser Manuel S. Gaite, 32 deg. KCCH; the late Jose Lim Tek Hua, 32 deg. KCCH; Henry T. Siao, 32 deg. KCCH; Richard K. Sy, 32 deg. KCCH; Greg C. Dy, 32 deg. MRS; Johnson C. Dy, 32 deg. MRS; Peter C. Dy, 32 deg. MRS; and the late Dy Un Soy, 32 deg. MRS.

During the Fellowship Program, the Guidons were Chamber President Robert S. Co 33 deg. IGH (Batch ’66) and alumnus Wellington H. Yee 32 deg. MRS. Closing statements and closing of the Lodge of Perfection were performed by James L. Yu, husband of alumna Dra. Feliza Khu (Batch ’75), owner of famous JY Dimsum House in Iligan.  Alumni Greg C. Dy and Henry K. Ang are the only two surviving charter members, who were conferred in the year 1970.   Wow, with all these high degrees, things are getting hotta!

William Adrian Leuong, 15

William Adrian Leuong died last Oct. 24 in Iligan City. He was 15 years old.  Adrian was riding his motorcycle with a motorcycle group in the mountains of Iligan.  Upon reaching the top of the mountain, he collapsed twice and passed away.  He was laid to rest last Oct. 30 at the Iligan Chinese Cemetery.  Adrian was the only son of William Leuong (Batch '78), son of Leuong Fak Fong (82 yrs. old) and Rosa Leuong (77 yrs. old), owners of the famous Times Furniture along corner Lluch and Torralba Sts., near St. Michael's College, Iligan.  William Leuong is the brother of Tony, of Batch '79 (California, U.S.A.); Robert, Batch '82 (Iligan); Lily, Batch '67 (Manila); Helen, Batch '71 (Iligan); and Liza, Batch '73 (California, U.S.A.).

Like his father, Adrian was a motorcycle enthusiast.  His father William has been riding motorcycles for almost 3 decades. He has participated in many national and local motorcrosses and mountain trek competitions and brought home a number of awards.  He owns the Tony's Café & Tony’s Place specializing in native food, barbecue, beverages and his famous squid & fish balls.

Lim Yo, 101

Mrs. Lim Yo passed away last Nov. 2, at 10:10 a.m., at the Mercy Community Hospital, Iligan City. She was 101 years old.  She was the mother of Hok Chuan Chiu, owner of Hok Chuan Trading, fronting the old public market, Gen. Aguinaldo St., Iligan. Among her grandchildren are Chiu Chong Bing and Chiu Ningning of Batch '73.  She was the grandmother of the wife of LCHS principal William Payonan. She was laid to rest at the Iligan Chinese Cemetery on Nov. 6, 2004.

Odds & Ends
Mon, 25 Oct 2004 05:19:14 +0000

My personal greetings and sincere appreciation to alumnus Michael John L. Siangco of batch '96 for his column Odds & Ends in our LCHS Spectrum. Hope you continue writing for our newsletter.  Keep up the good work.
--Henry Lim Yu (Batch '69), Cebu, Philippines, email: hvty@skyinet.net

[Thank you, sir.  It's my honor to be called upon and be a part of this force.  Aside from my "passion" for writing, I think it is my moral obligation to serve the school which, in some ways or another, had reared me to what I am right now.  Once again, it's my honor. --Michael John Siangco]

[Hi Henry. Michael John Lee Siangco is the nephew of Lee Keesing or Kesiang.  He is now teaching at our Alma Mater.  Thank you very much for your letter and hope that you too will send articles in the next issue. --Editor]

Congrats!
Mon, 25 Oct 2004 09:20:49 -0700

Congratulations to my batchmate, Michael John Siangco.  I'm very happy to see that our batch is well represented in the Spectrum.  Also, is this Michael Philips Lim from batch 96, too?  I would also like to congratulate my father, Manuel Te for being appointed as the chairman for the raffle committee.
--Jonathan Mark Te (Batch '96), Dumaguete, Philippines, email: otan@su.edu.ph

[Thank you for your letter/inquiry.  I hope that you will contribute articles for the Spectrum. Engr. Michael Philips Lim belongs to Batch '96 and is the son of alumni Bienvenido Lim ('66) & Norma Sy-Lim ('65) of Lian Guan Trading along Quezon Ave., cor Benito Labao St., Poblacion, Iligan City. He is a Civil Engineer and a contractor with projects in Bukidnon. --Editor]

Roger Suminguit, Batch '73

All Saints Day and All Souls Day are always occasions for families or friends to get together.  This year was no exception.  Several alumni came home to join their families in paying respects to their departed loved ones on Nov. 1 & 2.  Spotted at the Iligan Chinese Cemetery were members of the Dy Un Suy clan, like Carlos C. Dy, Dr. Greg C. Dy, Vice Mayor & OIC Mayor Henry C. Dy, William C. Dy, and a-chi Fe Q. Quimbo, together with  Charina Dy-Carlos, Chester Dy-Carlos & wife Angelie, Cristina Dy-Carlos-Deleste, Honey Dy-Henry, Mary Dy (Greg’s wife) & son Gregory James Dy (GJ), and Marie Janiefer Quimbo-Lee.

MINI REUNIONS.  "Tracers" also got to meet many other alumni at the cemetery, among them, Kelly C. Dy (Batch ’74), Roberto “Henry” Lagrosas (’72), Jackson Wong (’72), Mathelde Go (’72), Tita Go (’74), Stephen D. Sy (’68), Sy Beng Gui, Robert “Toto” Co & Edwin “Pattie” Co, Betty Lee-Siangco, Gloria Lee-Siangco, Manuel “Maning” Te, Juanita “Nene” Te-Jo, and several others. We also learned from our man in Cebu, Igdono Caracho (Batch '66), that they also had a mini reunion of sorts on the boat bound for Iligan on Oct. 30.  On board were Sy Chu Tek, Jonas Sy, Richard Lim, and Wilson Lim.  It turned out to be a rare get-together for Igdono Caracho and Wilson Lim who were batch mates of 1966.  The two had not seen each other since they left LCHS after high school.  Earlier, Igdono Caracho was seen in the company of one of the country's top balladeers Martin Nievera during the latter's Octoberfest concert at the SM City Cebu (photo at left).  Well, don't be surprised if one of these days we will be seeing Igdono in show biz.

Such occasion like All Saints Day never fails to provide the opportunity for alumni to bump into one another and exchange "hellos."  Others got around to talk about the forthcoming Alumni Christmas Party and the 2nd Grand Homecoming. Still others grouped themselves for impromptu mini-reunions with their respective batches.   Among the hordes of visiting alumni, we were able to corner Dr. Greg Dy (Batch '59) who flew in on Oct. 25, 2004 to observe All Saints Day & All Souls Day. Greg has been jetting in and out of Chicago and the Philippines on several occasions this year.  During his latest trip, he spent most of his time in Manila together with his son Gregory James Dy, better known as GJ.  Not long ago, both of them were featured in the Spectrum as aspiring action stars in a telenovela and TV ads. Maybe Greg Dy is renewing his TV contracts. Bantayan!

RAMBO TAN.  For several weeks now, "Tracers" couldn't seem to get a hold on our past alumni president Calix Tan (Batch '57), in photo.  All calls to his office were often answered by his daughter who would tell us that Calix was not around.  What could our good compare Calix be up to?  Well, we somehow discovered that he has been busy supplying water pumps to the National Power Corporation in Marawi City.  He has likewise been frequenting the remote municipalities of Malabang and Sultan Gumander, Lanao del Sur, on business.  Maybe one of these days we will be awaken with the news that PP Calix Tan has been conferred as Sultan Calixto “Rambo” Tan of Ranao. Pare Calix, mag kitakits lang ta!

BIRTHDAY BOY.  Meanwhile, Carlos “Bonnie” C. Dy (Batch ’58), another past alumni president, celebrated his 65th birthday last November 2.  It was a surprise party for Bonnie as his son & daughters secretly prepared the celebration at the mansion of his daughter Cristina Dy-Carlos-Deleste & son-in-law Raul Joseph Deleste.  Among the guests were his golf buddy Jose Tan, his close friends, drinking buddies, Mason brothers, Brgy. Kagawad Manoling Reyes, Dr. Quimpo, Alexander Chua, Roger “Tracers-Editor” Suminguit, Allied Bank manager Mr. Reyes, and Kesiang Lee.  Huddled in another corner were perennial drinking buddies Bonifacio Khu (’71) and Santiago Ong (’70) who are always around whenever William Dy is in Iligan. Also present at the bash were his brothers, Greg & Henry, and sister Fe with nieces & nephews and grandchildren and others relatives.  Bonnie’s birthday falls on November 4 but the celebration took place two days ahead because his daughter Charina, niece Marie Janiefer, and nephew GJ had to fly back to Manila the following day.  Well, a big birthday toast to you, my friend. Hala Beer-aaah!  (In photo taken at the birthday bash are, from left: Greg Dy, Carlos Dy, Fe Dy-Quimbo, Henry Dy, and William Dy. (Photo courtesy of Gregory James Dy.)

Marie Janiefer Q. Lee, Batch '87

“The moment I wake up, before I put on my make up, I say a little prayer for you ...”  Theme song from the movie, “My best friend’s Wedding.”  One of my all-time favorite movies.  Which is also the theme I’ve adopted for the wedding which I attended last Saturday.  Not that I am the best friend of the groom but simply because I was with the best friend of the groom.

I flew to Cagayan de Oro for that wedding not because I have a special role to play.  But because I made a promise, although it was in jest at that moment but still it was a promise that I would attend his wedding wherever he decides to have it.  Luckily he decided to have it in Cagayan de Oro and not in the Caribbean.  Or I would have a hard time looking for a formal swim wear.  Because I would never want to miss the chance to witness his passage from “single hood to double hood.”  Kidding aside, well, I always love attending weddings. There’s always this “fairy tale” factor in each one. And witnessing a wedding first hand is like being part of the story itself.

Last Saturday’s wedding was made perfect by the perfect couple named Romeo and Karen.  Romeo has been my classmate since kinder and so is his best friend Bonbon.  Having known each other one third of our lives makes us close, just like brothers and sisters.

Last year Meo was here in Manila and we met up.  He introduced me to this very dainty lady named Karen.  At that time it was already obvious how he was so smitten by this beauty from CdO, who's almost 10 years his junior.  So when she wasn’t listening I would tease Meo by asking, “When’s the wedding?”  And he answered with a grin, at the same time pointing to Karen, in sign language indicating he's just waiting for the final nod.

That long-awaited nod came several months ago.  Bonbon was the first one who informed me about it.  I asked him whether he is ready to let go of his best friend or not.

The reason why I asked is because this tandem has been like Timoun and Pumba of the Lion King.  They were always together.  Romeo “Meo” Sy and Benedict “Bonbon” Co have been best friends as far back as I can remember.  When they are together it seems that the whole world doesn’t exist.  They have a world of their own, a level of understanding that’s exclusive to just the two of them.  Will there be room for Karen? Or will Karen still welcome Bonbon into Meo’s room?

But that’s something that remains to be seen.  So far, the first thing that has to go is: who will sit at the front passenger seat of the car.  When they pick us up at the CdO airport, Bonbon had to sit with Indian and me at the backseat.  We joked and kidded about it all through the trip to the hotel.  And all through that trip, I saw another side of Karen that fits well with Romeo’s quiet personality and that she’s very bubbly and strong-willed.  She can handle herself well, even against our very own lawyer-classmate and villain-personified, Atty. Indian Sy from the Dept. of Justice.  While other ladies would have stepped back when fired upon by the quick-wit Indian, Karen stood firm on her grounds.  Now I’m wondering how Meo was able to convince Karen to say “yes.”  She’s one tough nut to crack.

The night before I arrived in CdO, Bonbon text me. He sounded worried.  I thought he was just having a hard time accepting the fact that he would be giving away his best bud.  Only to find out that the only thing that’s really worrying him is whether he’d look good in a Barong Tagalog.  Quite typical of Bonbon.  He was afraid that he might look like a gorilla in a suit. Again very typical of Bonbon -- to worry and worry about something very simple.

With Meo preoccupied with some last minute errands, it was my job to keep Bonbon company until the wedding. I thought that it’s my duty to keep Bonbon within sight just in case he will do something to stop the wedding.  Hehehe.  Well, I guess it was a bright move on the part of Meo to get Bonbon as one of the best men, because with him stuck in a Barong Tagalog, he was more preoccupied with how he looks rather than with what’s happening around him.  Right, Bon? As in Mr. Bon?

During the wedding I said a little prayer for the couple, that may they stay happy and may their love for each other grow each day.  Since Meo is like a brother to us, we know that he is a very good man, a very kind and gentle soul. I’m sure that together with his family, we only wish for all the best for him and Karen. May their life together be filled with lots blessings and lots of cute little Meos and little Karens.

Before Bonbon and I parted, I told him that he doesn’t have to worry about Meo; he seems to be in good hands with Karen.  I also assured him that his role in Meo’s life as his confidante will never change.  Because nobody can ever replace the time and experiences they’ve shared all these years.

It was indeed a very special occasion for all of us who were there. I’m really glad to be part of the story of Bonbon’s best friend’s wedding.

Michael John L. Siangco, Batch '96

St. Augustine once said, “The world is a book, and those who do not travel, read only a page.” Precisely.  He might have heard of the kingdom of Seres but what he didn’t realize was that its vastness and complexities might want a person to be ignorant instead.

With four major cities, twenty-three provinces, six autonomous regions and two Special Administrative Regions, choosing which part to travel in China is really a tough job.  The traveler needs to evaluate the things he likes about the country.  He might like a nature trip or a historic one.  He might like to see modern China or the ancient one.  In that way, wherever his desire brings him to any part of the country, he is happy as well as satisfied.

I have always been fascinated by the rich and long history of this country, but my voyage here is not with a tourist visa.  I came here to learn Hanyu not only inside the classroom but also through educational trips.

It was just three months ago when I was able to set foot in the city of Quanzhou.  It was a typical medium-sized urban center and obviously lagged behind its neighbors like Fuzhou and Xiamen.  But high-rise buildings and commercial establishments are more than what the city can offer.  It can take you back to one of the glorious days of the Chinese civilization.

According to history books, Quanzhou was formerly known as “Zaytun”, after the Chinese name for the tropical Paulownia tree (citong).  The tree, which is common in Southeast Asia, can be seen in large quantities in the city, hence the name.

The city was founded sometimes in the 8th century during the Tang Dynasty.  But it was in the 13th century when it reached its height of prosperity.  Ibn Battuta, a North African traveler, commented that the port of Quanzhou was comparable to the Egyptian port of Alexandria, which at that time was considered as the biggest port in the world.  In the same way, Marco Polo, the famous Venetian traveler said that the city has one of the largest and most commodious ports of the world.

At least the Museum of Maritime Communication can take us back to time to confirm their claims. Different types of maritime vessels were on display – from rafts to luxury ships, from replicas to original relics.

Really, it was an awesome and fascinating experience.  The Chinese people showed their superiority in those times in the field of navigation. They have traveled the seven seas effectively to do business –- long before Europeans started their own journey to the sea.

Another part of the museum showcased the variety of religions ancient Quanzhou had.  There were Arabic inscriptions in stone tablets, ancient coffins, Christian tombstones, Buddha and other Buddha-like religious carvings.  According to historians, the city was once the center of Islamic, Hindu and Manichean faiths in China.  It also housed some impressive Buddhist and Taoist temples.

The atmosphere not only gave me an impression of spirituality of the people, but also the tolerance that existed among the various religious groups.  This was evidently because of its status as an international port.  Being tolerant, Quanzhou really deserved the tag of historians as the Melting Pot of Asia.

Until now, that aspect of tolerance is still in the hearts of Quanzhou people.  Imposing mosques still stand, Christian churches still have faithfuls, and temples are still flocked with fervent followers.  In fact, UNESCO in 1991 designated Quanzhou as a “World-Class Museum of Religion.”  Who said differences in religious beliefs are irreconcilable? If only Muslims and Christians in Southeast Asia knew this.

I also had a glimpse of the Kaiyuan Temple, aka the Lotus Flower Temple.  According to my readings, the temple was actually built in the year 686 in Tang Dynasty.

One of the things that caught my eyes was the Mulberry Lotus Tree.  It’s just amazing that the tree has been there for several hundreds of years, much older than my country, the Philippines.  It just stood there -– witness to the changes of the season, of the government, of the people.

Another attraction was the East and West Pagodas.  Build around 1,000 years ago, they were the most well-preserved stone pagodas throughout China.  East Pagoda is called Zhenguo which signifies national protection, while the West is called Renshou which denotes merit and longevity.

My visit to Quanzhou was really brief.  However, with those exhibits, I believed I had taken a glimpse of the rich history of China.  True, it was just but a very tiny fraction.  However, even in its little ways, it adds up to the knowledge of this fascinating country.  And what more can be a better way in understanding something than slowly digesting facts and experiences not only in the mind but also in the heart.  Truly, that makes a personal travel experience.

[Author's Note:  The essay was written last February 2003 and won the 2nd prize of a local newspaper's (Xiamen Daily) 'All Nippon Airways Cup' English-language Writing Contest on the 'Unforgettable Chinese Vacation'.  If you plan to take a deep look at "our motherland," I hope this essay could be of help.]

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