The Mindanao Sanitarium and Hospital which occupied the 5th place last year is now in the 30th while Petronas Energy Philippines, Incorporated which was in the 10th place now places 16th.  Jackie Barranco was also cited as this year's City Treasurer's Office's (CTO) Top Collector for pooling in over P46M in tax remittances.

Iligan goes high tech

Iligan City recently celebrated the wonders brought by Information Communication Technology in bringing out work efficiency, competence and opportunities in different services in government, education, business and infrastructure.  Participating schools, business firms and government sectors gathered at MSU-IIT to showcase Iliganon ingenuity in Information Communication Technology.

The city has been declared as an IT Hub after a 2004 resolution by its city council. Last year, an Executive Order was also passed recommending the creation of the Iligan Information and Communication and E-Commerce Council (ICCTECC) which also identified sites for Eco-zones and an IT Park, Basic Computer Literacy programs and computerization of government offices.  The World Bank award for the Tax Revenue Assessment Collection System (TRACS) and the success of students from MSU-IIT, Iligan Computer Technology and Iligan City National High School (ICNHS) in national competitions in software development, networking and web designing recently garnered enough respect and recognition for the Iliganons' IT skills.

Iligan to issue transaction manual

The Iligan City Hall will soon issue a Transactional Manual for services offered by the city government.  Mayor Lawrence Cruz recently created a team to prepare the manual. The 21 department heads have already submitted the list of transactions and the corresponding procedures to follow for availing of the basic services their offices offer.

The manual that will guide Iliganons concerning the nature of the transactions they have to make including the length of time required and the specific fees involved. This also urges city hall employees to render genuine effective service and help protect the general public against potential fixers who wish to take advantage of valuable transactions.

Spice Boys of LCHS

Spectrum website
4 Jul 2006

You have an outstanding, good, and well structured website. I enjoyed browsing through it.
--Mia Susan, U.S.A., email: mia_susan@sbcglobal.net

SPEECH IN TAIPEI.  Spectrum columnist Marie Janiefer Lee (Batch '87) returned home last July 2 from Taipei, Taiwan where she delivered a speech before the Rotary Club of Taipei.  The Rotary Club of Taipei is the sister club of the Rotary Club of Mandaluyong, of which Janiefer is the incumbent club president. Congrats, Janiefer!

PALAWAN ESCAPADE.  Peter Dy (Batch '66), in photo, was spotted enjoying a post-summer escapade in Puerto Princesa, Palawan last July 6.  Together with Peter were his wife Tita and sister Fe "Guat Ching" Quimbo.  The group went island hopping and toured the famous St. Paul Subterranean River in Sabang.  Considered a National Park, this underground river flows within a deep cavern under rugged limestone and marble cliffs, a special feature of the park. Known as one of the world's wonders, this river stretches eight kilometers deep into an underground lagoon with crystalline waters. Within the hallowed recesses, one winds through the tunnel aboard a paddle boat outriggers to be enthralled at every turn which reveals stalactite pillars, rock formations and domed amphitheaters.

WHERE'S FLOR NOW?   Remember Florfina Teh (in photo)?  Where is she now? A few alumni are asking.  Well, Florfina Teh (Batch '66) used to stay at the Brilliant Tailoring on Quezon Ave., Iligan City, during her high school days at LCHS.  She was one of the few transients at LCHS who hailed from Manila. After high school, she pursued college education at the Iligan Capitol College where she was a consistent scholar and student leader. Her full name is now Florfina Teh Gough.  She now lives in Masonridge Drive, Houston, Texas, U.S.A.

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

What are the good things about being old?

Those born in 1936 or earlier (who are now 70 or older) and 1946 (who are now 60 years old) would surely know, as they are now in this category of being called old or elderly or senior citizens. But there is joy in being old. So, what's the beauty of being one?

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. When you've reached this age bracket, some basic needs are fulfilled, like the need to be loved, to be needed, to be acknowledged, to be given importance, etc. You become a consultant, an authority on so many things because you have the experiences, the knowledge, and the wisdom. There are a lot more privileges that are afforded to the older persons, things that they didn't get to experience during the 1970's and 1980's as they were the ones doing these favors then to those older than them. Oh well, life is a cycle. They were yesterday's teenagers of the Yeah Yeah Vonnel Generation and today's older persons of this dot.com gen. But most of all, we thank God for them for giving them the gift of life and the joy of being old.

The Misunderstood Father
By Kate Dorothy Ngo

The head of the Ngo family
Hardly ever understood
We don’t give as much love and care
As often as we should

The protector and provider
The wisdom of the ages
The least to show his sentiment
The one with the hardest head

But we don't see what is within
A heart that truly cares
A father who always scolds and shouts
But in some way understands

Telling us to do this
Demanding not to do that
Telling us to get this
Till Siote cries to Mama

A father so protective
But we know he has his reasons
A father who is always seen so strict
The one with so many conditions

But this father also has
A carefree, childish mind
Dancing to songs of the 70's
Till we beg for him to stop

Oftentimes we see
This father work and work
But what we do not realize
He has hardships that need support

Problems in his work
And all the staffs in Manila
We always see this problematic man
Losing his patience on Mama

With all our imperfections
He sees yet growing kids
His discipline unquestionable
For he knows what’s best for us

Despite his many shortcomings
This father has a kind heart
That gives when kindness is due
To the people all around

Though many times we lose our temper
We must now renew our perspective
For this father means well and knows what's good
For us, his wonderful children.

Igdono U. Caracho, Batch '66