Three high school students from Lanao Chung Hua School beat the Iligan City National High School debating team in the final round to grab the championship trophy of the 9th All-Iligan Debate Championships last January 28 and 29 at MSU-IIT.  LCHS debaters were Jan Brian R. Ano-os, who was adjudged as second best speaker; Kevin Bryan M. Dy, who ranked fifth best speaker; and Jason Louie G. Lim, a second-year student.  The winners received a grand trophy and certificates of participation.

Some 78 debaters from different schools participated in the event.  Debaters were from Iligan City National High School, Iligan Capitol College, St. Michael's College, La Salle Academy, MSU-IIT Integrated Developmental School, Tomas Cabili National High School, St. Peter's College, and the MSU-IIT College of Education.  The event was hosted by the ROTARACT Club of Iligan North, in cooperation with the MSU-IIT Noble Debating Society (MINDS).

Rodolfu Yu cited for his debate training
By Michelle Jeanne Caracut
LCHS Faculty

In the recent culminating program of LCHS' English Week Festival which concluded on January 27, 2006, Professor Rodolfo P. Yu (Batch '69), in photo, was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation by the school principal, Mr. WIlliam Payonan, for his genuine intention and willingness to train the students in the rudiments of debate through a day's training and workshop.  His service has earned him not only this award but most  especially the admiration of the school for his volunteerism to share his talent with his Alma Mater.

Yu is known in Asia as one of the best debate adjudicators and has annually been traveling to other countries outside Asia, as well, participating in debate competitions and lecturing at the same time.  Participants of the aforementioned training were Jan Brian Ano-os (4th yr.), Kristian Feliz Soriano (4th yr.), Kyle S. Tamala (3rd yr.), Irvin Michael B. Kuan (3rd yr.), Kevin Bryan Dy (2nd yr.) and Jason Louie Lim (2nd yr.).  The objectives of the training were to: hone the students' skills in deliberating selected issues, familiarize the tasks of each debater, learn to propose and oppose motions, deliver substantive speeches properly, and determine when to raise points of information.

Iligan named 3rd best investment site

The city of Iligan ranked third in the list of “Best Investment Site for Mid-size Cities” in a recent study conducted by the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) nationwide. Iligan Investment Promotions Center Managing Director Noel Arquiza echoed with pride how Iligan has risen from being number 10 in 1999 to ranking third in the year 2005.  The Office of the City Mayor Lawrence Lluch Cruz received a trophy from AIM’s research team last Tuesday, February 14, 2006. The Institute’s probe into “Pinoy Cities on the Rise” is in partnership with Asian Foundation, German Technical Agency and AusAid.

Carmen Lim, 62

Carmen "Totong" Lim-Barazon (Batch '61) died of stroke on Feb. 26, 2006 in Naawan, Maputi, Misamis Oriental. She was 62. She is survived by her husband Oscar Barazon and children Aren Estrera and Caren Barazon.  Among her siblings are Clemente "Engkit" Lim (deceased), Carlos Lim (deceased), Castor Lim, Carlota Lim Chiu, Elaine Lim Cabillan, and Christopher Lim.  She was laid to rest in Naawan, Maputi.  We request our pious readers to pray for the eternal repose of her soul.

Condolences

Sun, 19 Feb 2006 06:35:59 -0800 (PST)
Our prayers and condolences to Genevieve Co's family.  May it help to know that we share your sorrow.  Let good memories remain.
--Judith Chu-Bualat (Batch '84) and family, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, email: judithbualat@yahoo.com

Mon, 27 Feb 2006 07:19:41 -0800 (PST)
Our deepest sympathy to Castor Lim and family.
--Peter & Tita Dy and family, Edmonton, Canada, email: pdy50ca@yahoo.com

Mon, 27 Feb 2006 20:52:14 +0000
Our heartfelt sympathy & sorrow to the family of Totong Lim.
--Greg Dy & family, Chicago, Ill., U.S.A., email: Gregdy@comcast.net

Tue, 28 Feb 2006 04:51:15 +0000
Our heartfelt condolence to Castor and the rest of the family. God grant eternal rest to Carmen.
--Henry Yu and family, Cebu, Philippines, email: hvty@skyinet.net

Tue, 28 Feb 2006 01:45:46 +0000
Our hearts go with the Barazon & Lim family for the loss of Totong Lim Barazon. We will pray for her eternal repose. I can't believe how young they left this world. May Totong rest in peace through Christ our Lord. Amen.
--Alex Rodriguez & family, Miramar, Florida, U.S.A., email: alpacino_8@hotmail.com

Tue, 28 Feb 2006 18:17:06 -0500 (EST)
We are very sorry to learn the passing of my former classmate and friend Carmen "Totong" Lim-Barazon. Please extend our deepest sympathy to the Barazon family.
--Hesing & Melania Dy, Lapulapu, Philippines, email: jdy2001ca@yahoo.ca

Letter of thanks
Tue, 28 Feb 2006 018:02:42 +0000
We wish to express our gratitude and appreciation to all those who sent flowers, mass cards, words of sympathy and consolation, visited the wake, and shared our grief during our time of bereavement.  You have all made our deep sorrows more bearable.  We thank you all.
--Dy Shik Tong (Batch '56), Randolf Ong, and Rodolf Ong, Cebu, Philippines

BATCH REUNIONS.  Jane Lim (Batch '71) came home to Iligan recently for a brief vacation from Indiana, U.S.A.  She has been away from Iligan for many years now.  And her batch mates lost no time in gathering themselves together for a reunion with Jane at the Sunburst Restaurant last Feb. 22.  Among her batch mates were Sionnie Dychutee, Evangeline Ang, Nelly Sim, Aida Andaquig, Susan Khu, Felicitas Sonio Clemen, Evangeline Yee, and others.   Meanwhile, Sy Bing Gui and Carlos Dy (Batch '58), were spotted in Cebu City late last month for a reunion with their Cebu Eastern College Chinese class batchmates.  Their batch held a two-day reunion at the Tambuli Beach Resort in Mactan last Feb. 18 and 19.  It was a very successful reunion as 50 out of 80 in their batch attended the affair.  It was the batch's 45th anniversary.

KINMEN GATHERING.  Members of the Cebu Kinmen Association, together with their family members, converged at the Cebu Grand Majestic Restaurant last Mar. 5 for the annual lunar new year celebration.  The lauriat luncheon party saw children of some members performing musical and dance numbers to entertain the crowd. The party culminated with the drawing of raffle prizes.  Among the winners was Nelson Sy who won a free trip to Hong Kong. Among the familiar faces spotted at the gathering were: Sy Chu Tek, Rosie "Bian-Bian" Siao, Sy Leh Wah, Dy Shik Tong, Jesus Dy, Melania Dy, Nelson Sy, Jonas Sy, Charles Sy, Peter Sy, Fe "Guat Ching" Quimbo, Pearly "Pek Leh" Sy-Ong, and Lourdes "Siok Kuan" Ang-Teng.

SALO-SALO IN MACTAN.   While the City of Cebu celebrated its Charter Day last Feb. 24, Jesus "Hesing" Dy (Batch '63) and his wife Melania tendered a small but intimate dinner party for their friends in Cebu at their elegant Mactan residence.  The party turned out to be a meaningful get-together among some Iliganons in Cebu.  Among them were Carlos "Bonnie" Dy, Bebencio Palang, Dy Shik Tong, Charles O. Sy, Fe Quimbo, and Charina "Chat-chat" Dy-Carlos Yu together with her husband Roland and kid.

Henry L. Yu, M.D., Batch '69

What are the good things about being FIFTY SOMETHING? Those born in 1936 (who are now 70 years old) and 1946 (who are now 60 years old) would surely know as they've been there once upon a time in the not so distant past. For those of us born within the years 1947 to 1956, we also know what it is or how it feels to be FIFTY SOMETHING because we are at it now. Yes, we are the Golden People. The fifty-agers (50 to 59 years old). The FIFTY SOMETHING.

And what's the beauty of being FIFTY SOMETHING? Oh well, many things, such as: You are given the importance and respect by the younger people. They would courteously give up a seat for you in the mall or restaurant. They would open the doors for you and would let you go in first. They help you carry things. They make alalay to you when you ride a jeepney or go up or down the stairs. They don't mind so much if you make a mess in a crowd by proclaiming that you're just acting your age. At FIFTY SOMETHING, some basic needs of men are fulfilled, like the need to be loved, to be needed, to be acknowledged, to be given importance, etc. There are a lot more privileges that are afforded to the FIFTY SOMETHING, things that we didn't get to experience during the 1970's and 1980's as we were the ones doing these favors then to those older than us. Oh well, life is a cycle. We were yesterday's teenagers of the Yeah Yeah Vonnel Generation and today's FIFTY SOMETHING of this dot.com gen. But most of all, we thank God for the gift of life. Just by being able to wake up each morning is already a blessing beyond compare. The rests are just bonuses.

Life, indeed, begins at 40, but it peaks at 50, slows down at 60, declines at 70, stops at 80 or 90 or over. Whatever, let us rejoice and be glad because not everybody is given the chance to be FIFTY SOMETHING. Let us enjoy the present because we only get to be FIFTY SOMETHING once in our lifetime. Don't worry. Be happy. Smile.

Igdono U. Caracho, Batch '66