After battling cancer valiantly for more than ten years, our beloved teacher finally left this world at 12:05 A.M. of February 4 ,2001. Up to the last moment, the overriding concern that preoccupied his ever alert mind was the welfare of others.

February 11, 2001

After battling cancer valiantly for more than ten years, our beloved teacher finally left this world at 12:05 A.M. of February 4 ,2001. Up to the last moment, the overriding concern that preoccupied his ever alert mind was the welfare of others.

He stressed that
"TEACHING THE CHILDREN WELL IS WHAT MATTERS.
ALL THE REST ARE JUST SECONDARY CONCERNS."

My Teacher was respectfully and fondly addressed as TY SIAN (Teacher Ty) by all his students and colleagues. For 41 years, he toiled and nurtured the children tirelessly.

INDEED, HE WAS ONE PERSISTENT CANDLE
THAT MELTED HIS WAX TO THE LAST DROP
AND BURNED HIS WICK TO THE LAST FLICKER
SO THAT TILL THE END OF HIS LIFE
OTHERS WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE LIGHT.

My Teacher embraced the Catholic faith a few days before he left us for good . He was baptized JOSE MARIA TY ENG LIONG . He had the grace to receive the last rites before he passed away.

Today, February 11, 2001, is the day of his cremation.I am sad that he was gone. Yet I also rejoice that he is now in the bosom of THE GREAT TEACHER CHRIST JESUS.

My son wrote the following letter after TY Sian joined OUR CREATOR.
*******************************
February 4,2001

Dearest Ty Sian (Teacher Ty),

Well, this is farewell... I thank you for the things that you have done for me, for thinking about me and caring for me. Even amidst all the pain and suffering that you are experiencing, you still have a place in your mind and heart for all of us. You were a great person. You are special in ICCHS. You have been in the dormitory for many years AND all the people that have stayed in the dormitory will remember you well for your wisdom and caring.

There will always be a place in our hearts for your memory. You always wanted the best for us. You wanted us to be happy, specially with the fact that we are away from our parents. You always have something to cheer us up with.We will never forget all that you did for us.

Now that you are already gone , we know you will be watching over us and continue to guide us in our lives. I will never forget all the advices that you have given me and my fellow dorm mates. I will cherish your advice and use it in my life. I know deep in my heart that it will help me live a very successful life.

I remember the time when I was still a new student in the dormitory, you asked me if I slept and eat well. I really felt cared for and it lifted up my spirit. I will never forget the inspiration that you gave me. You encouraged me to continue living here in the dormitory in all my sadness and adjustment problems.

Once again , I thank you for all that you have done and I certainly will never forget you ---MY BELOVED TEACHER.

I remain your student,
Nathan Joshua
************************************
I was consoled when my son showed me his letter for our mutual mentor TYSIAN. He agreed that I would share his letter with you. I was grateful to the Lord for giving my son Josh a chance to experience what it was like to be nurtured by Teacher Ty firsthand.

Nikos Kazantzakis said :
"Teachers are those who use themselves as bridges, over which they invite their students to cross; then having facilitated their crossing, joyfully collapse, encouraging them to create bridges of their own."

In the true st sense of the word, my Teacher Ty was one such bridge ...

Howard G. Hendricks pointed out in his book TEACHING TO CHANGE LIVES that " What is important is not what you do as a teacher but what your students do as a result of what you do."

So , what do I do as a result of being mentored by my Teacher Ty or Ty Sian ?

I wish to honor him by giving a part of myself to the Teachers and Students in ICCHS whenever I am given the chance to visit them.

~I will tell them stories with values culled from real life which , hopefully,they could apply in their own situations.

~I will affirm them and help them believe in themselves.

~I hope to be there for them.

IN ALL THESE ,
THE GRACE OF GOD PLAYS A VERY IMPORTANT ROLE.

I BELIEVE THAT TEACHING THE CHILDREN WELL
COINCIDES WITH GOD'S PLAN FOR US.

IN ORDER TO RAISE UP RESPONSIBLE GROWN-UPS
CHILDREN HAVE TO BE NURTURED.

Friends , you can be a part of my dream also. I encourage you to send me materials that would be good inputs for my future trips to my ALMA MATER.

Through God's generosity, I am slated to go back there for a short visit on February 23. Please include us in your prayers too ...