Vol. 7, No. 19, December 22, 2003
Three LCHS students participated recently in the Australian Mathematics Competition. Pao-Ju L. Chi, Ben Alfie C. Oliverio, and Tristan Ervin G. Lim took part in the Junior Division of the competition through facilitated correspondence at Oro Grace Christian School, Cagayan de Oro City. For their participation, Pao-Ju Chi received a Certificate of Participation while Ben Alfie Oliverio received a Certificate of Credit and Special Achievement Awards, and Tristan Ervin Lim received a Certificate of Credit. The Certificate of Credit is awarded to participants whose percentile rank score, which is based on competition state/region level, is considered passing. The Special Achievement Award is given to participants with the best standardized score and least number of wrong answers based on competition state/region. The Australian Mathematics Competition is run by the Canberra based Australian Mathematics Trust, which is composed of educators and mathematicians from all over Australia. The competition is sponsored by Westpac Banking Corp., the University of Canberra and the Canberra Mathematical Association.
Masons
hold rites for Tarzan Yu
By Suniel Lim (Batch '66)
Members of Maranaw Lodge No. 111 held a 3rd Degree Memorial Service for the late Virgilio "Tarzan" Yu. The ceremonies were held after the requiem mass at the St. Michael Cathedral before Tarzan Yu was brought to his final resting place at Iligan Chinese cemetery last Dec. 9. The ceremonies were performed by VW Nilo Pala as WM, and WB Jat Tolentino as chaplain.
LCHS
bags honors in interschool quiz
By Christine Veronica B. Uy
LCHS
elementary students won top honors in the First IDS Interschool Math Quiz
(Elementary Level) at MSU-IIT gymnasium last Nov. 26. Several private
and public school participated in the quiz given by the Dept. of Math &
IT, IDS-MSU-IIT under the chairmanship of Prof. Esterlita Valmoria, Math
Quiz Committee, and under co-sponsorship by the Cartesian Math Club.
The LCHS students who won were, Grade 4: Nicole L. Chua, Kenn Carlson M. Dy, and Kevin Bill R. Taongan, 2nd Place; and Grade 5: Reggielloyd F. Aguilar, Ann Catherine L. Co, and Sarah Grace B. Uy, 3rd Place. Congratulations, too, is in order to their coach, Mrs. Annabelle A. Repliza, for briefing the students even if the time element was hectic and short.
LCHS joins drug test program
The
Dept. of Education in coordination with the Dept. of Health and Dangerous
Drug Council of Iligan launched the Random Drug Testing of Students in
Public and Private Secondary Schools, Tertiary Schools and Vocational-Technical
Schools.
November, considered as the Drug Consciousness Month, was the appropriate period for this launching. This implementation was pursuant to the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, which mandated for the random drug testing program along with the dissemination of this law to all schools including students, teachers and parents.
LCHS went through the above program last Nov. 24. Twenty students from the high school level were selected at random, with 5 students for each year level. The event was witnessed by the class representatives, class advisers, assistant guidance counselor, administrators, and Mr. Sy Chu An.
Urine samples were required from the selected students and test results will be provided confidentially to the school principal. Also, since this is a government program, testing costs were all shouldered by the government. The main purpose of this agenda is to determine the prevalence of drug users among the students in a school.
Roger Suminguit, Batch '73
Alumni whereabouts
Willy Dy (Batch '84) is currently back home in Iligan from Houston, Texas, where he is pursuing his career as a physical therapist. He got married last Dec. 13 in Zamboanga City and will return to the U.S.A. together with his new bride after the Christmas holidays on Jan. 4, 2004.
In
Cebu, "Tracers" learned that Jean Haydee Wang (Batch '99), in photo,
who finished magna cum laude in Accountancy at USC this year is now reviewing
for the board exams. She was offered an attractive job by the Punongbayan
& Araullo accountancy firm but she declined because she wanted to concentrate
on her CPA review. She is considered one of USC's best bets in the
forthcoming Accountancy board exam. Meanwhile, Haydee's elder sister
Joy
Honeylet Wang (Batch '96) is studying for her Master's degree in Information
Technology. At the same time, she is also pursuing a high-paying
job at Lexmark International (Phils.) Inc. in Mactan Economic Zone, Lapulapu
City, Cebu. She was hired by Lexmark right after her graduation for
college, and has travelled to the U.S.A. on company's business three times
already since joining Lexmark. Closer to home, Igdono Caracho
(Batch '66) was spotted enjoying the vista and cool refreshing air at the
Del Monte club house in Bukidnon last Dec. 14. He and some friends
and relatives were seen feasting on Del Monte's homegrown sizzling steaks
and pancakes.
Congrats to two alumni grandchildren who won top honors in international math competitions. They are Nathan Lance Uy Garcia and Lawrence Neal Uy Garcia, children of Livian Uy-Garcia (daughter of the late Yok Eng Sy-Uy, Batch '55). Nathan won 3rd place in both the Individual and Team competitions (high school level) in the 2003 Math International Competition in Thailand. His younger brother Lawrence, on the other hand, won Honorable Mention in the 2003 Asian Math Competition in China. The two math whiz kids are students of Bethany Christian School in Cebu City.
Manuel
U. Lim Lo Suy, 57
Manuel U. Lim Lo Suy, husband of Leoncia "A-hon" Sy-Lim (Batch '63), passed away due to kidney failure last Dec. 13 in Cagayan de Oro City. Born Dec. 13, 1946, he was 57 years old and owner of a chain of bakery stores named Don Miguel Bakeshoppe in CdO. He is survived by his wife Leoncia, and children Cherry, 29 (married); Kelvin, 26; and Irene, 24. He was laid to rest on Dec. 17, 2003 at the Oro Garden Memorial Park, CdO. We request our pious readers to pray for the eternal repose of his soul.
Ronald U. Tan, 35
Ronald Uy Tan died of a stroke at noon, Dec. 15, 2003, Iligan City.
He was 35 years old. He was the son of Gregorio Tan and Marcela "Sena"
Uy-Tan. He is survived by his wife Serelina A. Tan, brothers Arnold,
Reggie, and sisters Arlene, Angelie (Batch '87), Analiza (U.S.A.), and
Gretchen (Manila). He was laid to rest on Dec. 18, 2003 at the Iligan
Chinese Cemetery. We request our pious readers to pray for the eternal
repose of his soul.
| Letters of Condolences |
Tue, Dec 9, 2003 11:40 PM
Our deepest condolences to Sergio Uy & family and Perla & family;
likewise, our prayers for the eternal repose of the souls of the untimely
demise of your respective brothers, Henry "Amang" Uy and Virgilio "Tarzan"
Yu. Jesus Christ said: "Therefore you also now have sorrow; but I
will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and no one takes your joy
away from you (John 16:22). And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Truly,
truly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give
to you (John 16:23). These things I have spoken to you that in Me you may
have peace. In the world you have affliction, but take courage, I
have overcome the world (John 16:33). Please accept our "belated" hearfelt
condolences to the bereaved family & relatives of Glicerio Uy
and Perla Yu.
--Former classmate: John Go (Batch '65) & family,
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, email: johnygo2@yahoo.ca
Mon, 8 Dec 2003 10:24:06 -0700
Dear Paz and Family: With profound sadness, we offer our deepest
sympathies to the bereaved family of the late "Tarzan" Yu. "Tarzan"
was like a brother to us and his passing will surely be missed. May
our Lord continue to bless his soul and welcome him into His kingdom of
eternal life and glory.
--Hesing and Melania Dy, Edmonton, Canada, email: Jesus.Dy@gov.ab.ca
Mon, 08 Dec 2003 18:11:10 +0000
Our fervent prayers for his soul and heartfelt condolence to
the family.
--Alex Rodriguez (Batch '65), Florida, U.S.A., email:
alpacino_8@hotmail.com
Mon, 15 Dec 2003 17:44:19 -0700
Dear Sister Paz, Bro John Smith and family: We are very sorry for your
loss of your father Tarzan. He is like a brother to me and we are going
to missed him. Our thoughts and prayers are with and your family.
--Bro Peter & Sister Tita Dy, Edmonton, Canada, email: pdy@telusplanet.net
* * * * *
Tue, 16 Dec 2003 12:49:03 -0800
To Leoncia Sy-Lim: We convey our profound condolences on the untimely
demise of your dear husband Manuel Lim Lo Suy. May the good Lord grant
him grace and eternal peace and give you strength and consolation in your
hour of sorrow and bereavement.
--Lydia Sy-Chona, Nelson Sy, and Charles O. Sy, Cebu, Philippines,
email: syanlok@yahoo.com
Wed Dec 17, 2003 10:28 pm
Dear Ahon & Family: It is so sad to lose a love one in his
young age. May the almighty Creator guide you all during this time
of bereavement. Our sincerest sympathy.
--Greg Dy (Batch '58), Mary Dy and family, Chicago, Ill.,
U.S.A., email: gregdy@juno.com
* * * * *
Mon, 15 Dec 2003 17:32:18 -0700
Our dear Angie and family: We are very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts
and prayers are with and your family at this very difficult time.
--Lovingly, 6-chek Peter Dy & 6-chem Tita Dy, Edmonton,
Canada, email: pdy@telusplanet.net
Mon, 15 Dec 2003 11:14:17 -0700
Dearest Angelie and Family: Words are not enough to convey how sorry
we are to learn of the passing of your beloved brother. Be consoled in
the thought that you are not alone in your grief and sorrow. We pray for
you and your family for strength and courage to cope with such a
loss.
--Uncle Hesing and Auntie Melania, Edmonton, Canada, email:
Jesus.Dy@gov.ab.ca
Merry
Christmas!
Fri, Dec 12 2003 08:53:52
Life can be less stressful, happier, and more fulfilling if we understand one simple term: We can't have it all but God provides all that we need. Merry Christmas! --Rene Tio (Batch '70), Cagayan de Oro, Philippines, via text message +639169565106
Looking for the Perfect Christmas Tree Each year as we celebrate Christmas, the occasion almost always brings back memories of our years in LCHS. Life was simple in our student days. Even simpler was the way we celebrated Christmas at LCHS back then. Yet it seemed much more meaningful. Maybe because, as kids, we were easily enthralled by the various attractions that came with the occasion. Or maybe because, all too often, the celebration itself was a collective effort with everybody in each class taking part in the preparation for Christmas Day in school.
-- ooo -- I can't forget how we would spend time to beautify our classrooms with Christmas decor. Unlike today, we never had to buy fake trees from department stores. We fashioned our Christmas trees ourselves from natural trees. Very often while the girls busied themselves adorning the classroom, we boys would be sent off to look for the right tree to complete the Christmas decor.-- ooo -- I remember often being among the team of volunteers for the hunting trip -- partly for adventure but largely becausee we would invariably be excused from class the whole afternoon. Like a posse on a manhunt, we would march out into the distant horizon in a group of about five or six. Armed with rusty bolos, we braved the scorching heat under an afternoon sun and hiked our way through narrow footpaths from LCHS to the marshy heartland of Tibanga before reaching the mangroves in Bayug farther on. Along the way we passed patches of land with dense outgrowth of bamboo plants. We had to steer clear of the area for fear of snakes that were said to thrive in bamboo plants. On another occasion, we were chased by stray dogs from which we had to run like hell. Except for the spent energy, the dog chase somehow helped accelerate our arrival at our destination.-- ooo -- Selecting the perfect tree itself was no picnic. The swamps and tidal streams of Bayug abound with several species that thrived on mangroves such as api-api, bungalon, pagatpat, bakauan, tabyao and nipa. We had to choose the right pagatpat tree with dense growth of pointed branches and twigs. Which was no easy task. Many others had crooked branches. Some others were too sparse. Having found our perfect tree, we would march our way back on foot, with each pair of boys in the group taking turns in carrying the whole plant on their backs. We carried it with care and pride as if it were our prize catch from a hunting expedition.-- ooo -- Back on campus, we were rewarded by the teacher with a pat on our back for a job well done. Nothing spectacular really. But for somebody like me who never scored well in class, that was enough insurance for at least a passing grade of 75% in Physical Education.
Pedestrians of the World, Unite!
It is difficult to change or alter consciousness, to uproot long-held convictions, to overturn “conventional wisdom.”
Included in this “conventional wisdom” is that a poor country like the Philippines has no business building wide streets with sidewalks. Prudence, it is said, dictates that we should save precious funds by getting along with narrow streets with no sidewalks. Wide streets and sidewalks, it is argued, are expensive luxuries we cannot yet afford, and the money is better spent for priority needs. We should wait until the country is better off, before we splurge on such niceties.
This “conventional wisdom” is the reason why we have narrow roads, why sidewalks are built, if ever, as mere afterthought, as if our street planners, after hesitating for a long time, would say, “o, sige na lang, butangan na lang nato ug sidewalk, pero half meter lang ha?”
We might ask now, how much wisdom was there really, in this narrow-road, no-sidewalk mentality? For the answer, let’s go out on the streets and see for our ourselves what’s happening. And what do we see?
We see narrow streets choked with cars, jeeps, trucks, sikads, tartanillas and people, wasting so much time, effort and fuel in getting from one place to another. Converted to money, the time, effort and fuel wasted would no doubt exceed the savings made in scrimping on road width and sidewalks.
What’s more, this narrow-road, no-sidewalk mentality has turned pedestrians into 3rd class citizens. And what’s even sadder is, having known no better status, pedestrians think being 3rd class citizens is the most natural thing in the world!
Given the low status of pedestrians, who would now want to be one? So you have the fascinating phenomenon where people who ride passenger vehicles insist that they stop at the very doorstep of their destination.
Indeed, who would want to walk on the streets? The streets are the territory of the vehicles. Pedestrians walk on the streets at the risk of being bumped, splashed with mud and humiliated. Pedestrians are supposed to stay on sidewalks. That’s their territory. But where are the sidewalks? What few and short stretches of sidewalks are too narrow, and in any case, have been taken over by sidewalk vendors.
I am a part-time pedestrian of course, as most of us are. And whenever I find myself forced into the streets because there are no sidewalks or because the sidewalk vendors have taken over, and I have to act like a scared mouse and look from side to side, front and back to avoid being hit by a recklessly driven vehicle, I would think of that glorious day in the future when pedestrians would finally unite, rise up in revolt and occupy all the streets, thereby forcing the powers-that-be to build wide, wide streets and beautiful sidewalks. Ahh, that would be the day!
Marie Janiefer Q. Lee, Batch '87
Ending Inventory
Another year is drawing to a close and while most businesses would be doing their year-end inventory to close another fiscal year, I’ll also take time to look back and make my own personal inventory, to close another chapter of my life.
My writing teacher told me that 33 is the crucifixion year. My first reaction to this was: “Huh, is it good or bad?” As much as I wanted to ask her to elaborate further on this topic, there was just no chance. For one thing we were not that ”close” and this topic is not part of our lesson in writing, making it impossible to ask for more information on this and I feel that I would be too selfish to waste everybody’s time discussing something that only concerns me. Although I’m sure that whatever I’m going through and am supposed to go through on my 33rd year here on earth will greatly affect how I write. But that’s a long shot to convince my teacher to enlighten me some more. And the way she said it was more “prophecy-like” and not the “that-should-scare-you-type” of statement. She said it with a wicked wink, which seems to say, “just wait and see what happens”.
I was hoping she would tell me what to do and what to avoid to make my life easier, but I reminded myself that she’s our writing teacher; she’s no gypsy, she’s no fortune teller, she’s no palm-reader. That day she said that in our class I just sat there pretending to listen to our lesson even if my heart and mind were already racing to so many different directions. Part of me felt scared since I don’t know what to expect or what the “crucifixion year” really means. And part of me was getting really excited to see the whole year ends to see what the ending is, the same feeling we get when a movie is about to end or when we’re in the last chapter of a good book. But come to think of it, with or without that label, each year brings nothing but anticipation since there’s just nothing we could do to assure us of what tomorrow may bring.
Every minute and every day is a risk we have to take. But still I couldn’t shake off that label. So I started to look back and dig through my memory bank if indeed I had more trials this year or did I go through larger and higher obstacles this year. Well, thank goodness, I didn’t go through any traumatic experience but there were so many turning points this year. So many intersections I had to cross. Were those part of my crucifixion? Well, I suppose so. But one of the biggest changes I went through this year was my being more “publicly exposed,” like attending a writing class and my being an active member of the Rotary Club International. A close friend calls this “the end of innocence.” He says this with a note of regret and a tinge of disappointment, because he thinks that I’m now a totally different person now that I’ve finally crawled out of my shell. But I strongly believe that I’m still the same me. Is exploring one’s potential a bad thing? I never thought of it that way. I thought that a broader horizon would make me a better person, not a bad friend. Guess that’s the price I have to pay for wanting to learn more, for wanting to reach new heights. Was losing a dear friend part of my crucifixion or was it my crucifixion?
As another year slowly draws to a close, I’m here in front of my PC doing my own ending inventory. And I can say that this year I won some and lost some. There’s a chapter in my life that’s about to see its final lines, even if I’m not ready to see it end. It seems that somebody else is pulling the strings, somebody who knows better, somebody who knows what’s best for me.
Guys
Rules
Forwarded by Marie Janiefer Lee (Batch '87), Makati, Philippines
We always hear "the rules" from the female side. Now here are the rules from the male side:
Before, when you meet a congressman, you proudly shake his hand. Now when you meet one, you shake your head.
Appreciation in Our Lives
By Marlinda Angbetic-Tan
Cebu, Philippines
Renovation
and repair works are ongoing at home. The poor house has been in
need of some major repairs for years now but it was only a month or so
ago that the needed people could be pulled out of our construction company.
And so, the carpenters were all over the house, then the termite exterminators
and electricians. And now we have the painters.
All this time, I have been relegated to the guest room where I would be awakened by hammering or the buzz of drills or the spirited conversations of the workers just outside my window. Despite the fact that they were all Solid Construction (the company we own) people, I had yet to encounter one who would greet me with a "Good Morning" or an "Excuse Me." I attributed this discourteous behavior to lack of education, although some -- like the electricians -- are at least high school graduates.
Then, one morning, a painter entered the house and greeted me with a shy smile. I was pleasantly surprised. He does not look like he comes from a city dwelling family, nor do I think is he properly schooled but his civility makes you pause. It has gained him a sense of dignity, no matter the tattered T-shirt and paint-splattered shorts. Just yesterday, I asked our cook for his name, called him over to give him a new T-shirt as a way of appreciating his person.
In the course of my journalistic endeavors, I have written articles about people, companies and events. I enjoy my job. Moreso, when I receive kind words from people I hardly know, about something I have written that they liked. Or when one or two of my subjects would take time to let me know of their positive reaction to my articles about them. One December, I was deeply touched and honored to have been gifted a reading lamp by a national figure whom I interviewed early that year. I still use that reading lamp.
There was a time when I had to ask my niece, Leahliz, to drive since our driver was with my mom. It was November 1 -- All Saints' Day --and the parking lot of Gaisano Country Mall was full. We were looking for a space when this lady made a sign for us to follow her. I rolled down my window and she was able to tell me that her son was about to get out. She said that their car is of the same make as ours. After thanking her, Leahliz proceeded unsuccessfully to park the car (she just started to drive then). I had to stop the lady's son and requested him to park our car for us. I went back to the lady to thank her for her kindness. Without their help, Leahliz and I could not have bought and delivered dinner to my mom and sister at the cemetery. Such kindness beggars appreciation.
When I still had my 7:30 a.m. teaching class at UP College of Cebu, I used to take a cup of coffee at Mister Donut and would see this newspaper boy of about 8, maybe older. He had a clean wholesome face that struck at my heartstrings. I would talk to him a bit. I learned that he would go to school in the afternoons, after his newspaper vending. I would give him a few pesos without buying his papers. I looked for him when he was not around and I would see him hesitate upon seeing me because he knew I would be giving him some money. He never took advantage of my little offerings. In fact, he was somewhat embarrassed when he would see me on those mornings that I could manage a cup of coffee before going to class. I always encouraged him to continue being hardworking and to stay good. I just hope that my little acts did some positive influence in his young life.
My late father used to remind me never to let an opportunity to appreciate pass. Papa Celing believed in the power of sincere appreciation, not only to the person being appreciated but also for the person doing the appreciating. Expressing appreciation makes you aware of the positive values in others and of not taking for granted the kindness of others.
It warms my heart to carry on the tradition of sincere appreciation that my late father instilled in me. It also warms my heart to realize the many acts of appreciation given my way.
[About
the author: Marlinda Angbetic-Tan, in photo, writes from Cebu
City. She is the executive editor of the Lifestyle section as well
as the monthly magazine of The Freeman, Cebu's oldest newspaper.
She is a co-founder and past chair of WILA (Women in Literary Arts, Inc.),
the only women creative writers group in the Philippines. She taught
Philosophy for several years at the UP College of Cebu. She is also
a renowned figure in the arts and drama in Cebu having been involved as
main actress in numerous stage plays and TV productions. She can
be reached by email at: mayen8tan@yahoo.com]
Christmas Is Christ-Mas
By Evelyn Jean Y. Go
Batch 1977
This
is the first Christmas that I understand the true meaning of Christmas.
All these many years I thought it was time for shopping-spree -- the more
expensive gifts, the better. The more elegantly wrapped Christmas presents
underneath the tree, the merrier. It was time to send Christmas cards,
keeping touch with friends, classmates and relatives. It was time
to hear and sing Christmas carols, but not really getting the message of
each song. It was time to smell fresh-scented Christmas trees.
It was time to decorate the house for family and friends to come.
It was time for festive lights everywhere. It was time to put on
thick, warm jacket for cold, chilly days and nights (thank God we don't
have snow in San Antonio). It was time for parties -- a good excuse
why I gained 10 lbs or more! And so on and so forth.
I've always liked Christmas ever since I was a child. I would always look forward to Christmas and all the gifts I was expecting. Being the youngest in the family, I was my mom's favorite and the center of attention among my siblings. Every Christmas Eve, our family would gather together with a feast and opened our gifts. We would go to church on Christmas Day wearing our best attires, all new clothes and shoes, with all our maids. Our maids grew up with us like part of the family. Around Christmas time was the busiest in our grocery store, it gave me more opportunity to eat as much candies and chocolates without being caught by my mom till I had toothache!
Now, I'm a mom myself and have my own small family. We don't have the luxury of my childhood. We live a simplier life. For several years, I felt Christmas was just like an ordinary day except shopping for my daughter's wish-list and for my friends, then wrapping each gift and put them under the Christmas tree. We get a $20.00 gift card each year from my employee, and I would buy ham and egg nog to serve in addition to our Christmas meal. There were few Christmases in the past when I felt sad and self-pity for just being the two of us. During those times, I didn't feel anything special about Christmas.
What is Christmas? What are we celebrating on Christmas? What makes it different from other special occasions? Christmas is the yearly celebration of the birth of Christ which we all know falls on December 25th. Christmas is marked by special church services, giving of gifts and sending of greetings. In John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." Jesus is Christ, He is our most precious gift. We don't have to put Him in layaway, pay with credit card, debit or cash because He is given to us as a "free" gift. Why would you not take it if it's free? Why would you not take this risk-free guarantee and check it out yourself?
It took me many, many years because of ignorance, but I'm more than glad I opened the last gift under the Christmas tree. Only Christ has made my life complete by filling up every empty spot in my heart. Thru Christ, I put off my old self and put on the new self. I became a new creation. Situations in life do not change, but the attitudes of my mind did and will continue to do so. Christ gives me all the love I need, I don't have to search for it no more. Christ clarifies my mind and gives me peace, He lights up and directs my way. Christ fills my heart with joy. Christ gives me faith and hope that no matter what happens, I am not alone. Thru Christ, I know who I am and learned to appreciate my being and purpose in this life. I want more and more of Christ. It's like an addiction I couldn't live without.
Christmas is Christ-Mas, "mas" as in more and more or a need to have. We celebrate Christ's birth and welcome His presence into our heart. You don't need to look up and wonder where He is, how far is the distance between heaven and Earth because He lives in your heart. All you need to do is to open that gift and believe. May the joy, love and peace be yours today and forever. MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Season's Greetings
to our readers, writers, supporters
and contributors from the Spectrum Staff
|