Liongoren Exhibit

In UP school in the 60s, Fred Liongoren was one of the more talented students at the Fine Arts wing of the College (CAFA). Today he is a highly acclaimed artist with twenty one-man shows under his belt. On December 9, Fred held his latest art exhibit at Gallery Jose in Marikina. Gallery Jose as we know is owned and operated by Alice Jose also from the CAFA.

The exhibit was like a reunion for the CAFA stalwarts. Alice Jose was the gracious hostess for the many guests. Cecille Ascalon, Pearl Ortega, Cat Bello, Adi Santos, Jess Abrera, Nic Ricio, Bong Bongalon, Beng Galla, Boy Valino, Boy de Villa and others were the CAFA Fine Arts contemporaries of Fred who graced the occasion. Vic Ortega and Oni Mayo represented the 60s CAFA Architecture class. The guest of honor was ex-Marikina Mayor Marides Fernando who cut the ribbon and later mixed with the crowd. Of course, Norma Liongoren, Fred’s doting wife, was there to help entertain the visitors.

Fred was distinctive with his beard and pigtail. Being UP-trained and especially coming from the exciting period of the 60s, Fred continues to play the social activist role which he reflects in his art. Fred was into abstracts in the 70s, but Fred found out that he couldn’t quite touch the masses with abstracts. Thus his work today is more into realism especially for his water color art. Fred feels that his more realistic (less abstract?) portrayal of social experiences, still life and allegorical subjects would be a better platform for his reformist statements.

With all his success, Fred is not done with his experimentations. He confided that he plans to venture into comics since comic books capture the fancy of the young. With his artistic passion, I have no doubt that Fred will produce wonderful quality comic books shortly. The exhibit program that day officially began with a moving dramatic mime by Fred that showed his concern for the continued suffering of Pinoys. During the night, the pica-pica was well-served and like most CAFA affairs, the gathering of UP CAFA guys made for an entertaining night.

Alice and her CAFA friends who organized this exhibit are known as the Studiomates. They have been engaged in painting sessions among themselves for several years now and have ventured into hosting of exhibits. I understand that this show of Fred Liongoren is their third exhibit over a year’s time. The Studiomates expect to host another art show come February 2011.

During the show, Cecille Ascalon of the Studiomates actually won the prize raffled out by Fred. She won a watercolor painting of a ‘vessel’ that Fred said was symbolic of the theme of the exhibit that night. We are especially happy for Cecille and glad that she is up and about again. Finally, my thanks to Cat Bello for the photography of the event. Coming to the exhibit, I had left my camera and the photos in this Blog are from Cat.

Click the link for more photo's

http://s1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd489/leonmayo1/Liongerin%20Exhibit/?albumview=slideshow

Manila Reunion Na!

Hello Guys!

Romy and Rory just blew into town. Romy called on the eve of my scheduled out-of-town trip and so we ended up with a hastily arranged dinner at Banana Leaf (Ortigas Center) last November 23. Rody Picar is also suppose to be in town but I understand he is busy with his project in La Union. The Manila CAFAs were naturally excited to see Ka Romy and Rory again. As a result, this edition is speial with two bylines. See write-ups below.


Onwards to Pala Mesa
By Oni Mayo

Once she extricates herself from her business commitments, Bess told me that she will personally be checking out the venue soon. We hope she can haggle for deals and promo rates. As decided, the details of the event are:

Place: Pala Mesa Resort, San Rafael, Ca.
Dates: September 15 – 20 (the month is sure but dates may need firming up)

Just like in our previous reunions, reservations in the resort should be an initiative for those concerned. Traditionally, the early reservations get the better discount. The same goes true for Airline rates. I think it is also common knowledge that the great rates for both the airfare and the hotel are usually obtained from the Internet.

The Reunion is generating interest from many sectors. Hector Lopez has finally expressed his intentions and he will be at the reunion. (Hec is now in California and will be contacting Bess.) Glenn Bautista and Hector are encouraging friends from UP Fine Arts to join. Emy Masigan said she’d be bringing her sister from Canada. Definitely Nenita Cardinal and husband from Jersey and the US-based Hernandez sisters (Dina and Mynah) will be good to see again. Just recently, Cord Guanco said that he and Megs Ortigas will plan out their 2011 travel plans to include the reunion at Pala Mesa. Fun friends of Nore and Oni (in Manila and USA) who are into music are also being enjoined to mix it up with the CAFAs. Dinky said that he will call his US friends in California to also try to come. This should make for a fine menagerie of mostly UP great guys who will be willing to endure the CAFASinger's corny jokes and unrehearsed music.

During the dinner with Romy and Rori, we got some insight on the activities of some of our more silent CAFA friends. It seems that Romy has recently been in touch with Rudy Rivera and Rody Picar. Naturally we also got to talking about the many CAFA characters (who are not in a position to defend themselves). If our chika was a preview of what we can expect from Pala Mesa, I can’t wait till September next year.

Soon we should hear the advisory from Bess about more Pala Mesa details. Till then, keep the fire burning and onwards to California in 2011. Reunion na!











The CAFASingers at Musica!
By Dinky Einsiedel

A ragtag group of CAFASingers “performed” last Friday, November 26, at the Musica music bar at Greenhills Shopping Center in front of a packed payday-weekend crowd.

The group – composed of Dero, Romy, Alex, and Dinky – sang only one song, “If I Fell”, because this was the only CAFA song that the band knew how to play! Dero wanted to also sing “Man Come Into Egypt” but Onie was not around to play the guitar. He was in Singapore checking out the brand new Marina Bay Sands Hotel, the one with the swimming pool at the roof deck spanning all the three towers of the hotel.

It was a fun-filled evening, with Rory leading the applause after the group’s performance. The event was the regular Friday evening gig of the Rockin’ 60s Band composed of Dero, Titus Santiago, and 3 ladies. Alex and Onie had attended this gig twice before, when the audience included Anthony Castelo and Boy Camara. But it was the first time for Romy, Rory and Dinky.
Dero thrilled the audience with his renditions of Neil Sedaka songs like Oh Carol, Calendar Girl, and Diana.

Titus, the “Ricky Nelson of the Philippines”, belted his patented Someday, Poor Little Fool, and Hello MaryLou and several other RN songs. Each of the three ladies also sang solos, like Everybody Loves a Lover (an old but still popular Doris Day song) and Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow. While each of them sang their solos, the rest backed them up with simple but well-harmonized “chuchuwariwariwap....” – something that Alice, Bess and Sarah can also do! Maybe even better (but I’m biased)!

Romy and Rory were in town looking into buying a condo unit for when they finally settle down. It was great getting together even for just one evening, singing along the songs of yesteryears. Reunion na!

Musica

Musica is a music restobar in Greenhills, San Juan. Last Friday, Bili and I dropped in at Musica upon the invitation of Titus. Yes, Titus ‘Rick Nelson’ Santiago has gotten himself involved with a group called the 60s Band who do (what else but) 60s numbers! Two Fridays a month, the 60s Band has been active and in the spotlight since September.

The Band consists of three gals and two guys. The three game gals with decent pipes are former colegialas Lory Paredes (sister of AHS Jim Paredes), Nancy Reyes (family of Aristocrat Resto) and a Ms. Erana. The two guys are Titus and CAFA’s Dero “Sedaka” Pedero! Each person in the band have their specialty 60s numbers and they ‘back up’ each other with zest. The live band accompaniment consisted of other colegialas (Anna Fenstadt and one other) and was led by no less than Ben Tesoro of Hi-Jacks fame. Great fun!













The place was packed that night. Spotted in the audience were Jim Paredes, Boy Camara, Bayani Fernando, Jimmy Colayco, Becky Villavicencio, Botchi Santiago, Alex Villaflor, Eric Narvaez and other music personalities. Former classmates of the performers from their schools (St. Theresas, Ateneo, etc.) came in groups. The night was a memorable one for many as they took in the tunes of Paper Roses, Crazy, Diana, Poor Little Fool, Calendar Girl and other familiar ditties.



















Before and between sets of the performers, some of those present got to discuss the CAFA grand reunion in California. Da Dero, Alex, Boy Camara and Titus were all invited by Oni to join the UP group in California next year. On the basis of the Musica experience, the 60s music theme is a great success and which the CAFAs may consider as one idea for a reunion theme. Bess, Alice and Sarah, your chuwariwariwap, parampara-raram and shoobidoo sounds would be a match for what those girls were doing. It should enhance the effort of the solo singers if you think you want to do this as part of your singing roles. Fe you are part of this too should you come. Are you listening?

The set October 15 deadline seems to have passed. Shall the main reunion site and date now be as per our past immediate survey? Reunion na!

Reunion Na!

At last, it’s on. Starting out with encouraging email messages between and among its hardy members, the CAFA group is now planning the 2011 CAFA Grand Reunion. The location is California where the point persons will be California residents Beryl, Bentua and Alicia. Everyone – CAFA spouses, children, relatives, friends, UP guys, music lovers – is welcome.

Based on initial ideas and researches by the California guys , the alternative has narrowed down to Fallbrook, Californa-yay for the moment. The details of the reunion are as follows:

Date: August 25 -28, 2011 (last week of August)
Place: Pala Mesa Resort, Fallbrook, Ca.
http://www.palamesa.com/


Pala Mesa is a golf place that should excite our CAFA 'Tiger' wannabes (in more ways than one?). The resort atmosphere will allow the CAFAs to enjoy a great laidback vacation - but one that is also tolerant to noise (CAFA music?) and impromptu gatherings (pointless chatter over Johnny Walker and pulutan?). Aside from enjoying the resort facilities, the CAFAs can use the resort as a base to plan out excursions in and around the area, dining experiences, sing-along event, adventure sorties, gambling and what have you.























The major airports closest to Fallbrook (some 40 km. away) are the John Wayne Airport and the San Diego International Airport. An alternative lodging to the Pala Mesa resort itself is a nice little Comfort Inn hotel (near Pala Casino) just 3 kilometers from the resort.

Constructive suggestions (sane or otherwise) on the reunion details from the CAFAs are most welcome. However, unless there is a viable alternative to Pala Mesa as a reunion setting, Pala Mesa it is. Time is short and planning a vacation is not simple. So block out the above dates in your calendar and prepare to join the CAFA grand reunion. The winter (?) of our life is here friends. It’s a shame to miss out and just hear about the fun . . so be there and renew friendships. Reunion na!

Shanghai World Expo Travelogue

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The month of June was a good time to visit Shanghai. The sprawling World Expo complex there is as large as the territory of Makati I’m told. This being the case, there’s a lot of outdoor strolling to be done. For many visitors, several days will be required just to see the best among the exhibits. Bili and Oni did exactly that during their 4-day visit. After days of walking the Expo expanse, Oni's weary legs confirm the adage that people should travel when they are young. Nonetheless, and especially with help from CAFA stalwarts Nore and Didi (who are temporary residents in Shanghai), they savored many of what the Expo had to offer.

The facilities showed country exhibits and technical exhibits. The country exhibits emphasized natural resources and the spirit of people. The technical exhibits showcased the new urbanism movement and sustainable development theme. The exhibits utilized the latest in high-tech materials, gadgets and presentation systems. 4D projections (dizzying surround screens including ceilings and floors) were common place and interactive touch screen panels amused the audience no end. The USA show even had sense surround effects (strategic speakers, seat shaking and water droplets). These effects embellished the USA appeal for a more environmentally responsible world. Particularly impressive was the US cinematography that successfully integrated humor and theme.






























The Philippine pavilion meanwhile emphasized the country’s musicality if not its many tourism sites. The design of the pavilion integrated three separate performing stages. On cue and following each other's performance, different artists took turns ‘rocking and jazzing up’ visitors. (If the CAFASingers had been there, they might have squeezed in a ‘Tennessee Babe’ or two as guest performers). Travel Café, the accredited food emporium within the pavilion, dished out their tested Pinoy fare to the crowd. The pancit and turron were a favorite of the mainly Chinese customers. Didi had his hands full attending not only to the logistics of the store but also acting at times as floor manager assisting customers. At one point, Didi was observed admonishing someone who sat was hogging the limited seating without ordering anything.
















The special support by Nore and Didi to their visiting Pinoy friends made the visit all worthwhile. Not only were they able to procure the special VIP passes that enabled their friends to enter pavilions without hassle but they also acted as tour guides for shopping in the city. Bili and Oni had not planned on shopping this trip. However, the ridiculously low prices in the stores (especially after haggling) got them into it. One cannot be too careful in haggling. Nore thought she had quoted a riduculously low price (on something she didn't really need) and got the surpirse of her life when the salesgirl accepted her bid. Clothes, bags, trinkets, eyewear, electronic – you name it – it was there. How can one resist buying a bargain branded clothing (about half the price of Greenhills) that became even more of a bargain when you buy three of them?










Shanghai’s infrastructure and private buildings are impressive. With 20M inhabitants, Shanghai has about double the population of Metro Manila. On the basis of the visitors to the Expo (mostly locals), the people have shown purchasing power and manifested great curiosity. Even to afford the 150 Yuan entrance fee per day (more than P1k?) means that many are gainfully employed. Many owned cameras that they used to click away with at most anything. An interesting trivia are the cucumber wholes sticking out of their knapsacks that they munch as merienda .

Due to the limited time, Oni and Bili were just able to go to retail stores in the Nanjing and Science Fair area (outside Expo). In these places, the bargain prices and wide range of the latest in products rivals the HK appeal that enjoins shoppers. The mainland Chinese have clearly come a long way. They are now beginning to embrace the free market system that should make them live up to the world’s economic expectations from them. To feel this phenomenon better, you must try to go to China.

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