Finally, the much-expected CAFA trip to the Visayas happened. Dinky and Milu Einsiedel played hosts to the CAFA group that stayed four days to experience wonderful Negros and Iloilo. Aside from Dinky and Milu, the CAFAs who went were Nore and Didi Lim, Pearl and Vic Ortega, Oni and Bili Mayo, Emi Mercado, Mina Hernandez and Cecil Ascalon. The fun started even at the Manila airport where the girls just had to do some shopping. Emi started it when she spotted the “Sale” sign at an airport shop and bought herself branded Flip-flop sandals. Soon most everyone followed suit. The girls had fun comparing their sandals of choice as they flip-flopped their way along the long airport corridors.
Milu’s hometown Silay had interesting ancestral houses to view. The Hofilena vintage house was practically a museum where art works of masters and artifacts were displayed. Our guide, 78 year old Ramon Hofilena, was not only eloquent in explaining the house but is an artist himself. In his prime, he engaged in theater and hobnobbed with famous art personalities. He explained that he was handsome and muscular once (a swimmer and actor) and who even posed in the nude for artists. Every time the eager-beaver CAFAs (particularly Emi and Bili) disturbed his spiel to make comments, Ramon gets so distracted that he berated the CAFAs for doing so. The group finally learned to keep their mouths shut after that especially when Ramon threatened to remove all his clothes (to be like the past model he was) if he was distracted again.
The other ancestral houses in Silay were the Gaston mansion and off course, the Locsin house. The Locsin house is Milu's ancestral house where the CAFAs were treated by Milu’s family to a special Silay-type lunch course. The first day in Negros saw the CAFAs head for Victorias to see the Church of the Angry Christ and the Wheels Chapel. Dinner was at Bacolod’s famous Manukan strip where all kinds of Inasal recipes abound for the public. The next day, the group headed for the Bacolod harbor to take the ferry to Iloilo City. For this stage of the trip, the tour guide role was assumed by CAFAs Cecil Ascalon. The Ferry ride turned out to be pleasant where Emi enjoyed the John Lloyd movie (complete with tears) during the one hour trip.
In Iloilo, the Ferry docked at Iloilo’s famous Looney Muele port. According to Cecil, Mr. Looney was a Brit who was responsible for building the Iloilo old port along the river mouth. The group then visited the Jaro and Molo church that contained specialized statues of saints. Cecil was an interesting tour guide. When queried for more details about Looney harbor and the churches, Cecil said she wouldn’t know since the info is not described in Wikipedia. If we accept what Cecil says, all vintage structures in Iloilo would be 200 years old and all locations would be just “five minutes away”. How about that for mathematical efficiency?
Lunch time in Iloilo was at Tatoy’s (an eatery
place traditionally known for its native Ilongo cuisine). At Tatoy’s, the group was joined by another CAFA - Iloilo native and born comedian Megs Ortigas. Driving his new BMW, sporting sunglasses and wearing a nifty decal-laden jacket, Oni asked Megs if he was trying to impress the CAFAs with his get-up. Picking up on the cue, Megs said that he actually needs to go at 3PM since he has to return the rented car he is using to impress us! Known for his raunchy repartee, Megs also made an offer to take the boys out for massage service in lieu of Cecil’s suggestion to visit more traditional tourist places.
The final phase of the trip was not so convenient for some in the group. Mina, Cecil and later on Emi, fell ill. We were made to understand that it was a combination of vertigo attack and stomach problems; The fatigue and oysters, maybe? (But nothing serious, really.) In addition, Bili also had a vertigo problem (the night before the trip) while Didi is still recovering from flu (which he had prior to the trip). This situation led the group to consider the next outing to probably be best held in Dagupan. It seems that not only does Alex Villaflor partly own a beach resort there but also a hospital!
Milu’s hometown Silay had interesting ancestral houses to view. The Hofilena vintage house was practically a museum where art works of masters and artifacts were displayed. Our guide, 78 year old Ramon Hofilena, was not only eloquent in explaining the house but is an artist himself. In his prime, he engaged in theater and hobnobbed with famous art personalities. He explained that he was handsome and muscular once (a swimmer and actor) and who even posed in the nude for artists. Every time the eager-beaver CAFAs (particularly Emi and Bili) disturbed his spiel to make comments, Ramon gets so distracted that he berated the CAFAs for doing so. The group finally learned to keep their mouths shut after that especially when Ramon threatened to remove all his clothes (to be like the past model he was) if he was distracted again.
The other ancestral houses in Silay were the Gaston mansion and off course, the Locsin house. The Locsin house is Milu's ancestral house where the CAFAs were treated by Milu’s family to a special Silay-type lunch course. The first day in Negros saw the CAFAs head for Victorias to see the Church of the Angry Christ and the Wheels Chapel. Dinner was at Bacolod’s famous Manukan strip where all kinds of Inasal recipes abound for the public. The next day, the group headed for the Bacolod harbor to take the ferry to Iloilo City. For this stage of the trip, the tour guide role was assumed by CAFAs Cecil Ascalon. The Ferry ride turned out to be pleasant where Emi enjoyed the John Lloyd movie (complete with tears) during the one hour trip.
In Iloilo, the Ferry docked at Iloilo’s famous Looney Muele port. According to Cecil, Mr. Looney was a Brit who was responsible for building the Iloilo old port along the river mouth. The group then visited the Jaro and Molo church that contained specialized statues of saints. Cecil was an interesting tour guide. When queried for more details about Looney harbor and the churches, Cecil said she wouldn’t know since the info is not described in Wikipedia. If we accept what Cecil says, all vintage structures in Iloilo would be 200 years old and all locations would be just “five minutes away”. How about that for mathematical efficiency?
Lunch time in Iloilo was at Tatoy’s (an eatery
place traditionally known for its native Ilongo cuisine). At Tatoy’s, the group was joined by another CAFA - Iloilo native and born comedian Megs Ortigas. Driving his new BMW, sporting sunglasses and wearing a nifty decal-laden jacket, Oni asked Megs if he was trying to impress the CAFAs with his get-up. Picking up on the cue, Megs said that he actually needs to go at 3PM since he has to return the rented car he is using to impress us! Known for his raunchy repartee, Megs also made an offer to take the boys out for massage service in lieu of Cecil’s suggestion to visit more traditional tourist places.The final phase of the trip was not so convenient for some in the group. Mina, Cecil and later on Emi, fell ill. We were made to understand that it was a combination of vertigo attack and stomach problems; The fatigue and oysters, maybe? (But nothing serious, really.) In addition, Bili also had a vertigo problem (the night before the trip) while Didi is still recovering from flu (which he had prior to the trip). This situation led the group to consider the next outing to probably be best held in Dagupan. It seems that not only does Alex Villaflor partly own a beach resort there but also a hospital!
See slide show for more photos.
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