Vol. 11, No. 3, May 14, 2007

Although the Public Employment Services Office (PESO) of the Iligan City Hall previously announced that it can only accommodate 138 students aged 15 to 25 years old for this year’s Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES), it has absorbed a total of 437 applicants.

Successful applicants who qualified for the summer job program under the Cruz administration attended an orientation seminar at the SP Session Hall for the necessary briefing on their job assignments after which 307 were given the chance to serve for five days, 100 students for 20 days and 30 students for 30 days. They have started working in the different local barangays including the Clean and Green program which will likely include a post election clean up drive.

The Iligan City government has initially allotted PHP 500,000 for the SPES this year targeting some 138 student applicants from low income families to help them in their school-related expenses before the opening of the next school year. Of the 437 SPES beneficiaries, 307 are entirely funded by the city government while the 130 are given 60% subsidy by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) with only 40% coming from the city government for salaries.

New airport to cost P7.3B

The construction cost of the long-delayed Laguindingan International Airport is going to be increased by around P1.5 billion from the original P5.8 billion to P7.3 billion.

The DOTC revealed that cost of constructing the airport at Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental is expected to increase by 10 to 20 percent.  This particularly as the airport project has so far failed to actually take off since its conception in 1996, when the prices of its construction costs are originally based.  As a result, the authorities are revising the original plan of developing 400 hectares to only 200 hectares. Part of the new plan is to adopt the present level without having to do so much earthworks to lessen the cost.

Johndorf's Flagship Project -- Pagibig Cityhomes and the Lim Family

Johndorf Ventures Corporation breaks ground on its flagship housing project in Opol, Misamis Oriental -- the 100 hectares 5,000 housing units subdivision called the Pagibig Citihomes (in photo).

With more than 1,000 people coming in by close to 150 vehicles, the well attended ceremony reflects the general acceptability of the eager public by large. With many staying way passed five in the afternoon enjoying the breathtaking yet serenely picturesque valley, backdrops with tree-lined mountain ridges, while others still crowding around the subdivision scale model anxiously figuring out where they might want to choose their location. The occasion was truly a big success for Johndorf.

Dubbed as the first Pag-ibig Township Project, it is the single biggest socialized housing project in the country today. It dovetails perfectly with the newly lowered interest rate of 6% from Pagibig Fund. So with a monthly amortization as low as P1,700, it's now become very affordable for anyone, especially the lower income group, to own a decent house they can proudly call their own.

Integrated into the concept of this township project are various livelihood programs designed to support and enhance the social well being of the members of the community. Thus, it will have its own training programs for agricultural and other simple cottage industries set up in cooperation with NGO's and some government agencies. It will invite private companies to put up demo and seedling or nursery farms. It will establish its own pre-school, elementary and technical schools with religious and civic groups and volunteers assisting in its operation. It will have day care center, medical clinic, market and jeepney terminal among other facilities not found in other regular subdivisions. "This housing project is going to be a self sustaining and vibrant community," according to Dr. Wilson Lim, Chairman of Johndorf, "even if the most of the beneficiaries would come from poor background."

The Lim family will also conduct its open house on its pilot project in Metro Manila this May 18, 2007 -- the 150-unit townhouses called Karina Homes. Located in Caloocan City, it is operated by Hausplus Ventures Corp, a subsidiary of Johndorf base in Quezon City. "Karina Homes is packaged within the economic level of Caloocan City middle income buyers," said Hausplus President and CEO Mr. Johnson Lim, "the demand is strong and we expect to hit our sales projection within the year."

Just recently, they launched their second housing project in Mactan -- the Genesis Homes. There are three more new subdivisions slated to be launched over the next few months. "We are committed to finish these projects in Cebu and Mactan within the year and we will be venturing also into other major cities in the Visayas region by next year," said Ms Beverly Dayanan, president and CEO of Prohomes Properties Corporation, also a subsidiary of Johndorf.

Pag-IBIG Fund EVP and Deputy CEO Jaime Fabiaña lauded the company on its initiative to develop quality and affordable houses. "They have built more than 10,000 houses in their various projects in Iligan, Cagayan, Butuan, Cebu, and lately in Metro Manila. With their good track records, we will always support them and other developers as well for taking part in the Shelter Program of the Government."

Established in Iligan in 1986, Johndorf Ventures Corporation is a closed family corporation owned by brothers Wilson (Batch '66), Richard (Batch '68), Johnson (Batch '70) and Wilford (Batch '75) and sisters Jane (Batch '71) and Fanny (Batch '80). Their parents are Dy Giok Tiu and Sy Chian Biao (deceased).

Wilson, an Internist, and wife Dr. Lily Ong, a pediatrician, both have practices in Metro Manila. They have three sons and one daughter. The eldest son got his B.S. from the Ateneo University and just finished a semester at Columbia University through an exchange student program in completion of his Masters Degree in Public Administration from Singapore National University. The other three are still in college. Richard, an Electrical Engineer from Mapua, who is managing the family business with brother Johnson, is married to Norma Tan of Cagayan de Oro City. They live in Quezon City and have two daughters in college. Johnson, also an Electrical Engineer from Mapua, is married to Ana Pataroque of Manila. They live in Greenhills, San Juan and have two young boys. Jane is a Dermatologist at the Deaconess Hospital of Evansville in Indiana, U.S.A. She is married to Enrique Pertierra, originally from Manila, who is a Computer Networking Engineer at AT&T. Wilford, an Electrical Engineer from UP and also a Computer Network Engineer works with MCI/Verizon and is recently seen helping the other brothers with their expanding family business. He is married to Maribel Cu, originally from Manila, who is the MIS Director of the American Thoracic Society in New York City. They have two young girls. Fanny, a CPA (BSBAA from UP) and a licensed accountant in the USA, got her MBA from Columbia University, and works for Siemens Company as Controller of its Hearing Instruments Division. She is married to Jimmy Tan, originally from Manila, a microbiology Ph.D. from Cornell University. He works as the Director on Regulatory Affairs for Johnson and Johnson, a pharmaceutical in New Jersey. They have three little boys.

Do you ever wonder where the name Johndorf came from? Hint: it's a derivative of the names of the brothers.

Ni Hui Chua Sy, 98

Ni Hui Chua Sy died of old age on May 3, 2007 in Mandaue City. She was 98 years old. She was the mother of Rita Sy-Ang, Bonifacio Sy, Benjamin Sy, Peter "Bon Kee" Sy (Batch '62), and Robert "Bon Siok" Sy (Batch '66). Her mortal remains were cremated on last May 6 at the Cebu Rolling Hills Crematorium, Mandaue City. We request our pious readers to pray for the eternal repose of her soul.

Paging, Roderick Ngo
Thu, 10 May 2007 12:19:30 -0700 (PDT)

An article in Spectrum mentioned that alumnus Roderick Ngo is on vacation in the U.S.A. Does anybody know which part in U.S.A.? He's my wife Elsie's classmate (Batch '70).  If any alumni here or in the Philippines should know how to reach him while here in the U.S.A., specially California, please let him know we will be excited to meet him personally. He can call us at 951-352-1103; 951-323-3677; 951-452-5719.
--Laureto & Elsie (Tan) Lao, Stonehill Court, Riverside, California, U.S.A.; email: elsierito5788@sbcglobal.net

Eight truths to live by
Mon, 30 Apr 2007 12:15:09

Eight truths to live by: (1) Faith is the ability not to panic. (2) If you worry, you didn't pray. If you pray, don't worry. (3) Do the math, count your blessings.  (4) God wants spiritual truths, not religious fanatics.  (5) Laugh everyday, it's like inner jogging. (6) Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional. (7) Silence is often misinterpreted, but never misquoted. (8) There is no key to happiness, the door is always open.
--Robert Co (Batch '66), Iligan, Philippies; forwarded from SMS, cell +639177166282

Happiness & pain
Thu, 26 Apr 2007 08:08:40

I won't dare question God why I suffer pain and anguish ... because I never try to question Him when I feel happiness and fortune.
--Susan de la Cruz, Iloilo, Philippines; email: iko1031@hotmail.com

Condolences
Thu, 3 May 2007 10:24:00 -0700 (PDT)
Peter "Bon Kee" Sy, Robert "Bon Siok" Sy and family:  May peace and love comfort you in this season of sorrow. With deepest sympathy.
--Peter & Tita Dy and family, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; email: pdy50ca@yahoo.com

Sat, 05 May 2007 11:41:11 +0000
Our condolence to the Sy family. May she rest in eternal peace.
--Alex Rodriguez & family, Miramar, Florida, U.S.A.; email: alpacino_8@hotmail.com

LCHS SPECTRUM ...
Making waves from coast to coast, to bring our alumni closer from shore to shore.
Visit our website: www.oocities.org/lchsspectrum

IN THE LIMELIGHT.  Spotted in the limelight recently was Aida Lim-Uy (Batch '61), in photo at left.  Her Cebu Fortune Travel was among Cebu's top three producers of the year honored during the annual appreciation dinner of Cathay Pacific Airways.  The affair, held at the Ocean Pavilion of the Shangri-la Mactan Resort Hotel, was hosted by Cathay Pacific country manager Vivian Lo.  Among the prizes for the awardees was a round-trip ticket on business class to any Cathay Pacific Asian destination.

ALUMNI ON THE GO.  Another alumna who is very much on the go is Helen Booc-Chan (Batch '85).  Helen runs a chain of flourishing retail outlets around Metro Cebu called Hannah's Cake Decors & Party Needs. She has outlets in SM City Cebu, Gaisano Fiesta Mall in Talisay City, as well as Lapulapu City, and at the Limketai Commercial Center in Cagayan de Oro.  Helen also owns the Kids & Teens World at the Raintree Mall on Ramos St., Cebu City.  This shops offers fashion wear and assorted accessories for children and teenagers.  Helen is the daughter of Dy Sheik Din (Batch '56).  She is married to Benjamin Chan, owner of Cebu's famous Ngoyong House.  Another alumna who is quite visible in Cebu these days is Lilia Lua-Sy (Batch '67), in photo at right.  Lilia and husband Sy Chu An have made Cebu City their second home. They are residing at the posh Maria Luisa Subdivision in Banilad, Cebu City.  Meanwhile, Jesus Dy (Batch '63) and his wife Melania are scheduled to return to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada on May 15.  They will be back in RP in October this year.

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

It's the month of May. And we all sure have our own memories of the many Mays in our lives over the past several years. Some beautiful, some painful, others wonderful, so wonderful in fact that we keep on recalling them over and over again.

"Good morning, yesterday, you wake up and time has slipped away, and suddenly it's hard to find, the memories you left behind, remember, do you remember? The laughter and the tears, the shadows of misty yesteryears, the good times and the bad you've seen, and all the others in between, remember, do you remember the times of your life ..." That's Paul Anka over there singing an all-time favorite entitled Times of Your Life, a song about yesterday, about the memories we left behind. Yes, how sweet it is to remember those times of our life.

And what about the other old songs of our youthful past? There were as many songs as there were singers. Now, let's try to make a rewind and see if we still can remember the lyrics, the tunes, the singers of these hitbacks. May this piece help you read it with a smile and a song in your heart. Here goes:

BEE GEES  (Cherry Red, Spicks and Specks, Holiday, To Love Somebody, World, Massachusetts, I Started A Joke, First Of May, Words, Melody Fair, How Can You Mend A Broken Heart, Stayin' Alive, How Deep Is Your Love, Night Fever, More Than A Woman, Tragedy).
CARPENTERS  (Close To You, Goodbye To Love, Hurting Each Other, I have You, I Just Fall In Love Again, I Need To Be In Love, One Love, Only Yesterday, Please Mr. Postman, Sandy, Superstar, Top Of The World, We've Only Just Begun, Yesterday Once More, For All We Know).
CASCADES  (Rhythm Of The Rain, There's A Reason, I Wanna Be Your Lover, Shy Girl, Lucky Guy, Punch and Judy, Was I Dreamin', The Last Leaf, My First Day Alone).
ANIMAL  (House Of The Rising Sun).
SONNY & CHER  (Just You).
ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK  (Release Me).
BRIAN HYLAND  (Sealed With A Kiss, Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini).
BOBBY VINTON  (Mr. Lonely).
PETULA CLARK  (Don't Sleep In The Subway).
PETER & GORDON  (World Without Love).
PERRY COMO  (Fly Me To The Moon).
DIONNE WARWICK  (This Girl's In Love With You).
DUSTY SPRINGFIELD  (You Don't Have To Say You Love Me).
ROY HAMILTON  (Unchained Melody).
JOHNNY MATHIS  (The Twelfth Of Never).
B.J. THOMAS  (Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head).
CHICAGO (Color My World).
CHAD & JEREMY (The Way You Look Tonight).
MONKEES  (I'll Be True To You, It's Nice To Be With You, I Wanna Be Free).
PETER, PAUL, & MARY  (500 Miles, If I Had A Hammer, Green Leaves of Summer, Leaving On A Jet Plane).
ROLLING STONES  (Satisfaction, As Tears Go By).
DIANA ROSS & THE SUPREMES  (Stop In The Name Of Love).
DAVE CLARK FIVE  (Because, Whenever You're Around, Everybody Knows).
MATT MONRO  (For Mama, Before You Go, Walk Away).
ASSOCIATION  (Never My Love, Cherish).
LETTERMEN  (Smile, She Cried, Love Is A Many Splendored Thing, I believe, When I Fall In Love, Shangri-La, etc.).
BEATLES  (A Hard Day's Night, No Reply, etc.).
ELVIS PRESLEY  (It's Now Or Never, Can't Help Falling In Love With You, Are You Lonesome Tonight, Love Me Tender, etc.).
BEACH BOYS  (Graduation Day).
THE MAMAS & THE PAPAS  (California Dreamin', Dedicated To The One I Love).
HERMAN'S HERMITS  (Mrs. Brown You've Got A Lovely Daughter, There's A Kind Of Hush).
FOUR TOPS  (Reach Out I'll Be There, MacArthur Park).
GARY LEWIS & THE PLAYBOYS  (This Diamond Ring, When Summer Is Gone, Save Your Heart For Me).
DENNIS YOST & THE CLASSICS IV  (Traces, Spooky).
EVERLY BROTHERS  (Crying In The Rain, Let It Be Me, Devoted To You, Bye Bye Love).
CLIFF RICHARD  (Constantly, It's All In The Game, Bachelor Boy, Summer Holiday, The Young Ones).
PLATTERS  (The Great Pretender, Only You, Smoke Gets In Your Eyes).
LENNON SISTERS  (Sad Movies, I Went To Your Wedding, Autumn Leaves).
NEIL SEDAKA  (The Diary, Oh Carol, You Mean Everything To Me, One Way Ticket).
SUE THOMPSON  (I Can't Stop Loving You).
MARY HOPKIN  (Those Were The Days).
SIMON AND GARFUNKEL  (Bridge Over Troubled Water, Homeward Bound, Mrs. Robinson, Scarborough Fair, Sound Of Silence, The Boxer).
JAMES TAYLOR  (You've Got A Friend).
BREAD  (Aubrey, Diary, Make It With You).

Igdono U. Caracho, Batch '66