US ambassador visits Iligan

U.S. ambassador Kristie Kenney (in photo) recently visited Iligan City where she attended the 50th anniversary of the 1st Valley Bank, which is a beneficiary of the US-Aid micro finance program for small entrepreneurs.  The microfinance program of 1st Valley Bank has been very successful that its profitability registered a growth of at least 800 percent, according to Nelson Te, executive vice president of the bank.  Kenney received the recognition given by 1st Valley Bank to the USAid for its micro finance program, which has contributed immensely to the bank's growth.

Iligan City Mayor Lawrence Lluch Cruz welcomed Kenney and reported he recently attended the US-sponsored Transparency and Accountability in Governance (TAG) program in the US and expressed his optimism that the through USAid, the US government will assist in the completion of the still unfinished Iligan-Bukidnon road and the now on-going Solid Waste Management Program Materials Recovery Facility.

MAKING WAVES
RP's boy wonder sets new record

What this kid accomplished may well land him in the Guinness Book of World Records.  Justin Daniel Junio (in photo), 5 years old, braved the cold waters and strong current in the early morning hours last Oct. 8 to swim across the Mactan Channel.  He crossed the 3-km channel from Lapulapu to Mandaue and back, logging a total of 6 kms. in 1 hour and 58 minutes.

His feat thus smashed the record held by Braxton Bildrey, 7 years old, from Arizona, U.S.A., who crossed Alcatraz to San Francisco last May. The Alcatraz-San Francisco channel spans 2.25 kms.  Justin Junio is the son of retired Air Force Colonel Florencio Junio.  Escorting Justin during his record-breaking swim were his coach and Philippine Navy frogmen.

Pencil lessons
Sat, 14 Oct 2006 10:14:06

I'd like to share this beautiful allegory with you.  A pencilmaker told the pencil five important lessons.  First, everything you do will always leave a mark.  Second, you can always correct the mistakes you make. Third, what is important is what is inside you.  Fourth, in life you will undergo painful sharpenings which will make you a better pencil.  And the most important is, to be the best pencil you can be, you must allow yourself to be held and guided by the HAND that holds...
--Glenda "Hong-Hong" Sy-Cabilan (Batch '71), Iligan, Philippines, forwarded SMS, cell +639177166091

The LCHS Spectrum is really an effective tool in informing the alumni outside Iligan of the events happening in Iligan and the Alma Mater in particular, I would like to congratulate and thank all those who worked hard on the Spectrum.
--Ai Guo, Cebu, Philippines, email: aiguohuaqiao@hotmail.com (as posted on Spectrum website guestbook)

Our stars in heaven
Wed, 18 Oct 2006 10:40:04

Each of us represents a star in heaven.  Sometimes we shine with the rest.  Sometimes we twinkle alone.  And sometimes when we least know it, we make someone's wish come true.
--Stela Navarro, Cebu, Philippines, forwarded SMS +639173879935

What life is all about
Sat, 28 Oct 2006 09:38:09

Sometimes we put too much passion on the biggest dreams and priorities in life that we fail to love the smallest pleasures from simple things.  We search so much for the right choices, for the right paths to walk through, for the right time and for the right reasons.  But life is not about searching for the things that can be found.  It is about letting the unexpected happen and finding things you never searched for.
--Haide Astillero, Shenton Way, Singapore, forwarded SMS +639273703233

LIM-SY NUPTIAL.   It's a red-letter day on Oct. 29, 2006 for the Lim and Sy families of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro.  Christopher Dominic Lim and Catherine Sy will be married at the Grand Ballroom of the Xavier Sports & Country Club, Airport Road, Cagayan de Oro.  Formal wedding reception will follow in the evening at the same venue. Christopher Dominic is the son of the late Jose "A-Hua" Lim Tek Hua (Batch '58) and Lorenza Lim.  Catherine is the daughter of Ben Chu Eng Sy (Batch '56) and Florcita Tiu Huan Sy (Batch '64).  Among the ten pairs of principal sponsors familiar to LCHS alumni are Dr. Francisco Oh (husband of Virna Sy Kuan Kuan), Sergio Siao (Batch '66), Robert Co (Batch '66), Rosie "Bian Bian" Siao-Sy (Batch '60), and Dr. Adelma Dy Pico. Best wishes to the new couple!

Visit our website:  www.oocities.org/lchsspectrum

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

Aging and dying are two sure things that's gonna happen to any Pepe and Pilar. They are part of man's life, mortal beings that we all are. If there's a beginning, then there ought to be an ending, just like a prologue and an epilogue in a book, or an opening and a closing remark in a program, or like the sunrise and the sunset.  The mere mention of the words "old" and "death" would scare people because what's next to old age is getting sick and what follows after sickness is dying and death. Of course, none of us would want to get old, much more to get sick and die. Neither you nor me would want to, unless we no longer find life worth living or we no longer have reasons to live.

It's not that we cannot accept death per se. What's hard to accept is the physicality of a person, meaning his physical absence whenever we celebrate an important occasion (birthday, Christmas, Valentines, etc.) or when we need someone to share our agony and ecstasy with, a shoulder to cry on, or just by being there. That's why when a loved one dies, we go through the five stages of grieving: Denial, Anger, Depression, Bargaining, and Acceptance. Only when we can accept the death of a loved one will we ever be relieved from grief or bereavement and be at peace with ourself and the world. Acceptance means being attuned with the reality that a loved one has gone back home, and that we too will be GOING HOME someday.

As we pay tribute to our dear departed friends, relatives, and the significant others who have made our lives livable, more comfortable and convenient, once upon a time while they were here on earth, let's all pray together: "Lord, we thank you for all the blessings you have given our departed loved ones during their journeys on this earth. We pray that they continue to glorify You with the life that they have lived and the way they made use of their blessings. For us who are still here on earth, Lord, help us not to forget that life is too short and uncertain. Let Your spirit guide us in loneliness, justice and service to mankind. We pray for the healing of all unhappy feelings that the deaths of our loved ones left in our hearts. Be with us, Lord, during our moments of sorrow, loneliness and despair. We trust in You and hope in Your glorious resurrection. We lift up to You our grief and sorrow, confident that You will change our mourning into rejoicing that our departed loved ones are now safely back home. Let Your perpetual light shine upon them. And may the souls of all our faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in Your peace. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. Amen."

Igdono U. Caracho, Batch '66