The local government of Iligan City is again pushing for the garnishment of the assets of Global Steelworks International Inc. in a bid to collect real property taxes outstanding since the new owner of bankrupt National Steel Co. began operating in 2004.

Global took over the National Steel facilities in 2004 for P13.25 billion, with a down payment of P1 billion. National Steel shut down in 1999 due to weak domestic sales and cheap imports.  Rep. Alipio Badelles said Global has been unable to pay its real property taxes amounting to more than P100 million. This excludes taxes on equipment the steel company has been importing.

Last year Vice Mayor Henry Dy had said Global owes the local government some P177 million in real-property taxes.  Global had said it is already producing steel for export to China.  Left unresolved, the company’s tax liabilities and a possible disruption in operations due to the garnishment of its assets may jeopardize the jobs of new hires, Badelles said, adding some 1,000 residents have secured jobs in the company.

LCHS-AA election on stalemate
By Roger Suminguit (Batch '73)

Several months have passed yet the LCHS Alumni Association has not elected a new set officers.  The election appears to be on stalemate.

This is a sad development.  We are supposed to have elected a new set of officers early this year 2006, as scheduled.  As LCHS-AA secretary, I approached several potential alumni to be candidates. All flatly refused.  At this point, the election has been temporarily shelved.  In short, we had a failure of election.  We will pursue it again in the next regular meeting.

Most of the incumbent officers have been serving our Association for almost 20 years now.  Many of them are up for retirement.  They deserve a break.  The LCHS-AA now needs young blood to take over the helm.  In our recent board meeting, we tried to convince VP James Booc to head the association together with his batch.  We explained to him that the ideal setup would be a combination of old and new alumni.  His group, composed most of young and dynamic members, will fit this setup to a T.

We are counting on the group of VP James Booc of Batch ’82 and his immediate batches of 1981 & 1983 to assume leadership of our association.  Remember we have pledged our loyalty to the Alma Mater as well as the Association.  We enjoin them to respond to this clarion call and carry on the torch. Can we count on you, guys?

IPAG on USA tour

In photo:  The renowned Integrated Performing Arts Guild (IPAG), a resident dance-drama company of the MSU–IIT, is currently on U.S. tour with performances in Hawaii, Washington D.C., North Carolina, Virginia, Florida, and Los Angeles.

Concern for Rodolfo Yu
Sun, 30 Jul 2006 00:31:40 -0500

I just read the July 31, 2006 edition of the Spectrum a few minutes ago and was particularly concerned about Mr. Rodolfo Yu.  Basing on the nature of injury that was described in the Spectrum and the concensus of Dr. Greg Dy and Dr. Henry Yu, yes, a herniated disc is a likely possibility, although an MRI would be the most accurate way to confirm this.  Just to make sure it's not a ruptured muscle or severely sprained/ruptured ligament in his iliac bone. In case a herniated disc is indeed noted in the MRI, it still has to be correlated with his symptoms, i.e. does the pain stay in his lower back or move down his leg, and how far down the leg does the pain radiate; then correlate it with the level of the lumbar spine where the herniated disc is noted.  Because it's not uncommon for people to have a herniated disc but do not know about it, i.e. no symptoms. Or have symptoms of a herniated disc but turns out negative for one.

A few options for conservative management before going to surgical options right away are ESI (Epidural Steroid Injection) followed by Physical Therapy (not hilot as they are two different things).  If the Herniated disc is quite severe which means it includes the Nucleus Pulposus and is pinching on a nerve causing not just pain but weakness to a particular muscle controlled by that nerve, then a Laminectomy (as stated by Dr. Henry Yu) may be the emergent procedure of choice, although a Discectomy (shaving of part of the disc that is herniated) may be sufficient ... Praying and hoping for a quick and full recovery for Mr. Rodulfo Yu.
--Willy C. Dy (Batch '84), Lake Jackson, Texas, U.S.A., email: w_dy@sbcglobal.net

Time to help Rudy
Tue, 8 Aug 2006 14:21:44 EDT

I just opened my e-mails; it's unfortunate and pitiful for Rudy Yu's situation that right now he and his family really need help.  my wife Elsie and I understand how hard it is for him physically and financially.  It is the time now for every LCHS alumnus to extend whatever help necessary to him.
--Laureto Lao (Batch '68) and Elsie Lao (Batch '70), Stonehill Court, Riverside, CA, U.S.A., email: ritoelsie@aol.com

Life is too short
Sun, 30 Jul 2006 21:46:24

Life is too short.  Grudges are a waste of perfect happiness. Laugh when you can.  Apologize when you should and let go of what you can't change.  Love deeply and forgive quickly.  Take chances.  Give everything and have no regrets. Life is too short to be unhappy.  You have to take the good with the bad.  Smile when you're sad. Love what you got.  Always forgive and never forget. Learn from your mistakes but never regret.  People change and things go wrong.  But always remember: Life goes on.
--Santiago Ong (Batch '70), Iligan, Philippines; forwarded from SMS; cell no. +639177168080

"Interview" with God
Sat, 5 Aug 2006 16:34:12

Man: "What surprises you most about humankind?"
God: "That they get bored with childhood, they rush to grow up and then long to be children again.  That they lose their health to make money and then lose their money to restore their health.  That by thinking anxiously about the future, they forget the present, such that they live in neither the present nor the future.  That they live as if they will never die and die as though they had never lived."
--Glenda "Hong Hong" Sy Cabilan (Batch '72), Iligan, Philippines; forwarded from SMS, cell no. +639177166091

Sayings to live by
Sat, 5 Aug 2006 04:35:29 -0700 (PDT)

(1) Birds of the same feather are the same birds.  (2) Do not do unto others what you can’t do.  (3) An apple a day is not an apple at night.  (4) When the cat is away, the mouse is alone. (5) If others can do it, don’t help them.  (6) Tell me who your friends are and I’ll tell you mine! (7) Early to bed and early to rise makes you sleep in the afternoon. (8) Ang ilog na tahimik ay malalim; Ang ilog na maingay may naglalaba!
--Marie Janiefer Lee (Batch '87), Makati, Philippines, email: janieferl@yahoo.com

Roger Suminguit, Batch '73

RUDY'S STATE OF HEALTH.  Bad news spreads like wildfire.  Text messages flooded my cellphone last July 29.   The news was all about LCHS-AA director Rodolfo "Rudy" Yu (Batch '69), in photo.

Well, last August 1, I, along with past president Vy Beng Hong, director Teresita Racines, and Aldo Caracho, visited Rudy at his residence in their old ancestral home beside the site of the old LCHS campus on Roosevelt Ext. We noticed Rudy's abrupt physical change. He looked thinner and couldn't stand and walk without assistance. His eyes just looked straight.  Only his hands and legs moved.  He looked pale and a little yellowish.  Rudy said he suffered extreme abrupt pain in his back right in the area of the kidney on that fateful day.  He was admitted in the hospital at the E & R Hospital located on Roosevelt.  This is the first time ever in Rudy's life to be hospitalized.  He was confined for a week. His doctor only prescribed medicines to take for two days.  He was diagnosed as having a high sugar level coupled with kidney infection. There was no problem on this chest and heart.  After that he was confined to a wheelchair in his house.

Our alumni officers promptly called a special meeting last August 1 and discussed Rudy's state of health.  The officers, through an approved resolution, appropriated P5,000 as financial assistance to Rudy.  Likewise, each officer voluntarily chipped in personal cash to help defray Rudy's medical bills.

As LCHS-AA secretary, I was tasked to contact Dr. Audie Debalucos, an internist, to conduct further medical examinations on Rudy.  Dr. Audie Debalucos is an LCHS alumnus and son of Nicomedes "Kim Huat" Debalucos (Batch '65).  On August 4 Dr. Audie advised me to have Rudy admitted at the Sanitarium Hospital for proper diagnosis. But he was reluctant to be admitted. I persuaded him by telling him that he can't be helped if he remains in his house where he lives by himself.  Shortly thereafter, he was taken by a rescue ambulance from the city government through the courtesy of our alumni president & Vice Mayor Henry Dy.  I escorted Rudy to the Sanitarium Hospital where he was examined at the emergency room.

The following day the lab tests revealed that his blood level was still high: from 300 upon admission to 180; then to 85 and rose again to 205.  He also has infection in his kidney.  The sugar test is taken every 6 hours. Dr. Audie told Rudy that he now looks healthier than the first day of his admission.  He really looked pale that time. He is now under close medical observation. Past presidents Andy Lee, Dy Sio Te, and Vy Beng Hong, and director Teresita Racines and I, as secretary, frequently visited Rudy to check on his progress.

Rudy doesn't have slipped disc.  He has difficulty walking because his diabetes created complications in his kidneys.  His white blood cells are too high.  As part of his medical treatment, he is undergoing regular antibiotic injections for his kidney infection and to lower his white blood cells.  Antibiotic ampules cost over P3,000 each.

On the second day of his confinement, he wanted to go home. Laay na kuno kayo sa hospital. I relayed to him the doctor's remark that high sugar level could possibly have complications on the heart, eyes, high blood pressure and kidneys.  But I also kidded with him by saying he can start a business with his high sugar level: he can have liquid sugar repacking for sale.  And he can be called "Sugar Daddy" na.  He had a good laugh at my joke.  I have to keep him laughing. Lisod na basta mo abot na ta sa sobra katunga sa century (he-he).  Dahan na ug dato pa ta sa sakit.

What is important now is Rudy's early recovery.  His medical and hospital bills are piling up day after day.  Rudy doesn't say so himself.  But we know he needs help to sustain his mounting medical expenses.  Any help coming from our fellow alumni shall go a long way to help Rudy who has given so much of his talent to our alumni association.  If you wish to contribute, you may contact me at: Telefax (063) 221-2422; Mobile Nos. +63-9189277641; +63-9067172422. Emal: teboncho719@yahoo.com.

MORE NEW NURSES.  More alumni have passed the recent Nurse Licensure Examination.  Armi Leslie Demafeliz Te (Batch 2002) was among this year's batch of new nurses.  She is 21 years old and youngest daughter of Dr. Antonio Leo Tan Te (Batch '69) and Lorna Demafeliz Te.  Armi graduated at Cebu Doctors College of Nursing in March 2006 and passed the board in June 2006.  Another new nurse is Jessica Enriquez-Suminguit.  She passed the Nurse Licensure Exam last June 11 & 12, held in Cagayan de Oro City. Jessica is the eldest daughter of Roberto Suminguit (Batch '76). There may be some other alumni who passed the board.  "Tracers" is having some difficulty gathering data. If you have any new info to share, please contact me thru: Telefax (063) 221-2422; Mobile Nos. +63-9189277641; +63-9067172422.

DONATION TO FIRE BRIGADE.  We wish to acknowledge the recent donation of one unit used Isuzu water tank truck by Geo-transport & Construction, Inc. to the Lanao Filipino Chinese Volunteer Fire Brigade.  The donation was executed at Geo-transport's field office in Cayagan de Oro City through its field administrative officer Roberto "Henry" Lagrosas.  The deed of donation was signed by Geo-Transport director Bryan Sy Chona (son of Lydia Sy Chona, Batch '65) and received by Kelly Dy, president of the fire brigade.  The unit will soon be converted into a fire truck.

HOLE IN ONE. Golf aficionado Jesus "Hesing" Dy (Batch '63) hit a hole-in-one on the 15th hole of the River Ridge Golf Course in Edmonton, Canada, last Aug. 1.  He used a 7-iron for the lucky shot at 145 yards.    The chances of making a hole-in-one are very rare. SCA Promotions says the odds of a golfer hitting a hole-in-one from 150 yards is about 15,000 to 1.  So congrats to Hesing for the rare feat. Your golfing buddies back home in Iligan will await the big blow-out.

OBITUARY.  Former LCHS teacher Athelia Quirante-Chiu died on july 29, 2006.  She was 66 years old.  Her body was laid to rest on Aug. 9 in Barangay Gimangpang, Initao, Misamis Oriental, her hometown.  May she rest in peace.

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

The eight stages of human development, according to Erik Erikson, are: (1) Infancy (2) Babyhood (3) Early Childhood (4) Late Childhood (5) Adolescence (6) Early Adulthood (7) Middle Adulthood (8) Late Adulthood.

In what stage are we now? What volume? What chapter? What page? Normally, as a human being, we're born nine months after being inside our mother's womb. We then begin life outside. We had our first two lower incissors at four months, we crawl at six months, and walk before we could blow our first birthday candle. We go to kindergarten at 6 years old and start grade one at 7. Six years in the elementary and four years in high school. A total of ten years of academic schooling. We graduate high school at 17. We then go to college and finish a four-year course which makes us 21 by the time we graduate from college. At 21, we start working. We get married at 27. We become a parent at 28. Twenty-five years after high school graduation, we celebrate our high school class silver jubilee at age 42, at which time our eldest child is 14. At the age of 52 (27 plus 25 years) we celebrate our silver wedding anniversary, with our eldest child age 24. At 55, we become lolo and lola. Yes, life is a cycle.

Who are the Jubilarians of 2006?  Here they are: CLASS 1981: 25 YEARS AFTER ... THE SILVER JUBILARIANS (1981-2006). To those born in1964, now aging 42, belonging to high school class 1981, this year is your high school Silver Jubilee. To those born in 1960, now aging 46, belonging to high school class 1977 and college class 1981, this year is your college Silver Jubilee. For those doctors who graduated from medical school in 1981, who are now 50, it's your class Silver Jubilee too this year. Enjoy this special occasion because it's truly a once-in-a-lifetime event. We only celebrate our Silver Jubilees once (high school at age 42,college at 46, and medicine class at 50).

CLASS 1956:  50 YEARS AFTER ... THE GOLDEN JUBILARIANS (1956-2006). To those born in1939, now aging 67, belonging to high school class 1956, this year is your high school Golden Jubilee. To those born in 1935, now aging 71, belonging to high school class 1952 and college class 1956, this year is your college Golden Jubilee. For those doctors who graduated from Medical school in 1956, who are now 75, it's your class Golden Jubilee too this year. Do attend this special occasion of celebrating your Golden Jubilee and be counted. Enjoy this event and be thankful that you are still around.  After all, not everybody is given the privilege of reaching this far. Rejoice!

Igdono U. Caracho, Batch '66