CAFA Guys in Town

As early as last week, the CAFAs were advised through text by Emi that Rodi, Romy and Rori are in town. She was insistent on a CAFA Get-2-Ged (get together?) to enjoy time with the Balikbayans. Thus on Saturday, the lunch party was held at XO/46 – a gourmet place serving Pinoy fare owned by Emi’s brother. The new resto was located along Valero St. in the Salcedo Village business district of Makati. (near Makati Sports Club).

Apart from the balikbayans and Emi, the guys present were Dinky, Alex, Cecille, Oni, Bili, Vic and Pearl. Rodi is looking good and Romi and Rori are spry as ever. The food was amazing and the service was excellent. As a matter of fact, the party became a taste test for the group as each different delicacy in the menu was served. Being so proud of her brother’s resto, Emi had ordered everything for the gang to experience what’s there. When told that there was too much food for the CAFA seniors, Emi said she did it on purpose so that each can have a take-out bag consisting of whatever is left! Leave it to Emi to have a ready answer, outrageous or otherwise, for everything.

But apparently Emi was right. With such delicious fare available, the guys threw poise and etiquette to the wind. It was a babel as each started to place their selection of the food that they would like to take home. Definitely, none of that food will go to waste. To top it all, Emi would not have the waiters bring on the bill. Emi said that the Get-2-Ged is also a despedida for Rodi so the party is on her. (Emi says she owes Rodi who helped her a lot when she had her art exhibit there).

For the CAFAs in the US, watch for the opening of XO/46 in New York and Vancouver. This plan is now in the works. For me, the food was as good as it gets and so with the company. Thanks Emi for yet another wonderful CAFA feast and party.


See slideshow for more photos.

Adoracion Rivamonte Lim

Mrs. Adoracion Lim is Didi’s mom. She was one day short of her 97th birthday when she peacefully passed away. Mrs. Lim was a schoolteacher and a housewife who raised her children (4 boys and one girl). The Lims were based in their hometown of Marinduque and later on Manila until Didi’s dad was posted abroad.

Mr. Lim as we know, was a Foreign Service career official of the country. He was assigned to different countries (Pakistan, Korea, Egypt and finally, Rome) until his retirement. This is the reason why Didi and his siblings got to stay for parts of their growing years in many interesting places. Through all this, Mrs. Lim was the devoted mother to all her now successful children.

The CAFA gang got to pay their last respects to Mrs. Lim at different times. On Saturday afternoon, Romy, Rory, Dinky, Alex, Oni and Bili went to the wake at Mount Carmel church in Broadway. The day before, I understand that the Raquel Santos family and the Fine Arts gang led by Francis, Pearl, Vic and Cynthia attended the initial mass for the dead there. Emi went in the evening of Saturday.

For many of the CAFAs, it’s the inevitable passing of a beloved generation. The devotion of the CAFA baby boomers to their parents is never more evident. Didi was right there when his mother died. (was it a feeling he had when he opted to stay behind while Nore went back to the US?). Earlier in the year, Rita made her regular visit to her mom who passed away just before her centennial birth year. In the case of Rori and Romy, the couple is actually in town to visit Rori’s mom (who fortunately, remains in good health still, This is not to mention Romy’s mom in Connecticut who they also regularly visit).

Interestingly, all the mentioned mom’s are, or were - as the case may be - in their 90s! Hopefully, the CAFAs are blessed with the same sturdy genes.

Works of Masters Show

Yesterday, Nore RS Lim’s work was featured at the prominent Ayala Museum together with the works of other notable artists of the country. Ramon Orlina’s glass prism art and BenCab’s colorful canvass were among those displayed together with NoreLim’s trademark lace series prints. The other art forms by rising artists were metal sculptures and modern montage type and relief items. The displayed selections were actually the pieces that went out on a successful tour of Korea last September.

The CAFA’s who were on hand to view this prestigious event were: Mina, Cecille, Pearl and Vic, Alice, Emi and Oni. Of course Didi, Francis and dear friends of Nore like Botchi Santiago and Mars Custodio were also there. For Nore, this event was a fulfillment of sorts. We know that she was unable to physically accompany her pieces in the September Korean roadshow since she gave priority to the CAFA reunion in California.

In the course of the show, the speeches were heartfelt, the Korean ambassador was happy, Ayala Foundation was fulfilled and the cocktail fare was delicious. The CAFAs are very proud to have a Nore Lim among it. She is clearly one example that dedication to her art and tenacity to her dreams indeed pays off. Congratulations to Nore once again and may you have many more shows that will continue to inspire.


See slide show for more photos.