Nelson Rivera Show

Here under is the report of Sam on Nelson's NYC exhibit.  The slide photos are also from Sam.  Congratulations to Nelson from the CAFA community.


By Sam Santamaria 

Tau-nauin Photo Exhibit brings Nelson Rivera's friends out of the woodwork.

Nelson Rivera brought his secret passion to the fore in New York, exhibiting some 26 photos that chronicled his decades-long jaunts all over the Philippines. A pioneer photo enthusiast out of the UP College of Fine Arts (and a member of the CAFA Singers), he soon excelled as a photographer in the advertising and publishing fields, garnering several awards for his work and being invited to further his talent in London and Sydney photo studios. Coffeetable books also showcased his skill, including The History of Brewing, Philippine Dance, Philippine Fiesta, and Philippine Christmas: Art and Form. Unbeknownst to his wife Mitos, while doing his bread-and-butter assignments Nelson was also capturing precious and poignant scenes of Philippine life and culture. Traveling to different towns and provinces, he indulged in this guilty pleasure, as it were. These photos are part of his Tau-nauin exhibit. 

Now to the more serious side: 

Personages at Nelson's exhibit reception seemed to capture what singer Jim Croce crooned about in Time in a Bottle, albeit with bionic physiological enhancements. Tong and Sam exhibited sprightly movements with new cobalt chrome alloy knees, as well glistened in their youthful-looking coiffure courtesy of Clairol Just For Men. No more Joe Bush of old Manila days. Nelson, Tito Valbuena, and Rody Picar opted for the venerable look with their salt and pepper pompadours. Dinky, please refrain from calling it "white hair." Sounds like a disease. 

Elaine Robbins, worried about arriving fashionably late Manila style, sashayed in on time with her titanium hips. Noted Tong, the hips are not only working great, but twerking good as well. 

I wonder why Tito Valbuena keeps on working way past his official retirement age. With his Chesire grin, I know wife Lydia keeps him a happy man. I sense no little blue pills are involved whatsoever.

Fiel Zabat, as usual was in her cover girl mode while Wally Rodriguez seemed to be inching steadily toward the inevitable style: Pepito. Ang buhok nya ay pepito na lang. 

On to the younger set. Simone, 15-year-old granddaughter pride of the Salgados is a split pea image of Tong; and even without her mentioning - with Rita's charm and smarts. Don't read anything between these lines, Tong. Extremely likeable, humble, and very eligible Atty. Justin Lim should have parents Nore and DD screening potential daughters-in-law anytime soon, I presume. Not that I am suggesting anything. Nelson and Mitos came with their son and his wife, whose names escape my short-term memory bank. Jokes welcome here. 

Elaine asked about another CAFA reunion. Maybe she's offering her living room as a venue? No problem if she opens to us her Hamptons estate

See slide show for more photos.

One Woman Show

On Feb 11, Nore LIm's one woman show was launched in Altro Mondo Gallery. Altro Mondo is a prestigious art gallery in Greenbelt 5 Makati. They take in only 12 artists a year and Nore has the February slot. The exhibit will be held until Feb. 28. 

The prints were large pieces showcasing a range of the different eras of Nore's work. Her earlier gray toned 'lacework' series were there. Her newer output has brave bold colors and are refreshing to see. I understand from Nore that prospective buyers are making an appointment with her in the coming days. Nore was almost apologetic when she said that this time, the art pieces are relatively pricey since the art gallery requires a share of the sales. 

Nore's family was there in full force. Claire and Alex, Justin, Lyn and Rene were present in the prestigious event. I also spotted classical pianist Raul Sunico among the guests. Among the CAFA family guests were: Tong and Rita, Emi, Oni, Alex, Dero, Myrna, Titus and Bochi, (I'm sure I missed out on some more names since I came through Manila traffic and was late. If you will email me your names I can edit this blog anytime). 

Congratulations Nore and our best wishes on the outcome of the show. 

Bye y'all. 

Onimayo

See slide show for more photos.

February 2016 Activity

The Salgado's are back in Manila for their yearly jaunt there. February also happens to be the birthday month of Nore, Didi, Milu and Alex. Such an opportunity to celebrate was not to be missed by the Manila CAFAs. 

Pearl was an initiator of the event and thus was tasked to prepare and provide the menu. The party was held in Oni and Bili's residence in Greenmeadows, QC. The CAFA merrymakers were: Tong & Rita, Dinky and Milu, Pearl & Vic, Nore & Didi, Oni & Bili, Emi and Alex. Special guests were Ating Salgado and Francis Raquel Santos. 

The Filipino food fare was great. The age of the CAFAs showed when they couldn't finish all the food much less the Johnny Walker bottle. But before you think about wasted fare, the party culminated with many bringing home extra servings of their fancy. 

To top it off, Emi said she had a giant, raw pink Tilapia fish in her car. It was gift from a friend. She said she couldn't eat it all and so she offered most of it to the group. Indeed it was a giant fish, and really deliciously pink! Everyone took home a piece of it as well. I got one fish head which we ultimately made into delicious fish soup. 

Topics of conversation involved Nore's forthcoming art show, the similarity between Trump and Duterte, Philippine elections, etc. Surprisingly, there was not much chismis about the absentees in the party. The group is thus either slowing down (not combative anymore) or have matured into great philosophers.

Ciao for now.
Onimayo


See slide show for more photos.