Pearl in a whirl; more of Nore; coffee with Rody and Affair of Claire

40th Wedding Affair 

Whew! The first 5 weeks of the beginning of the year was a whirl for CAFAs. First on the agenda was Pearl and Vic Ortega’s 40th year of marriage. The celebrants and their guests came bedecked in formal party attire for that special occasion (held in historical San Agustin Church in Intramuros). A rare face that came to the wedding is Ace Dimanlig – former CAFA classmate and notable Filipino landscape architect. Oni immediately asked Ace and his wife to consider October in Milwaukee should they travel this year. 

The affair consisted of the traditional Filipino wedding program including a sumptuous dinner in the convent hall (beside the church). For this reception, the CAFASingers consisting of Dinky, Dero, Alex and Oni came to sing for Pearl, Vic and their guests. After several artists, the CAFAs got to sing their new song –“May Each Day” by Andy W. This song is the celebrants’ theme song. 

Bay Leaf Dinner 

A few weeks after the wedding, Pearl and Vic invited CAFA balikbayans (and locals) for dinner at Bay Leaf Hotel in Intramuros. The feast for the taste buds was great at the top floor resto but the feast for the eyes was just as good at the upper deck open air bar. The Manila City Hall, the Manila Central Post Office, Taft Avenue, the Harbors and the Pasig River was dramatically visible from the deck roof that night. On the deck, the CAFAs were pleasantly surprised to meet another CAFA classmate again; Rosary Benitez was with a group celebrating her aunt’s birthday. Except for a few gray hairs, Rosary looked the same - stately and dignified as ever. 

Art Exhibit Show 

The College of the Holy Spirit is also known for their Fine Arts course. Since it was the centennial year of the college, they decided to hold an art exhibit at the Cultural Center. And guess who are among the organizers (as well as exhibitors)? CAFA’s own Nore and Emy. Nore invited the CAFAs to the exhibit where they partook of the cocktail farre. The CAFAs who came were Dero, Rody, Tong and Rita, Vic and Pearl and Oni. Of course Nore, Didi, Francis and Emi, were there. Cynthia and Alice were also spotted hobnobbing with the high-powered guests at the Exhibit that night. 

Visit to Manila Pad 

Rody’s condo is a Locsin Building in Ermita (Marbella Bldg.). Lindy Locsin as the CAFA knows is a national artist and a design legend. Rody then put the Picar brand of interior on his unit which the CAFAs enjoyed after the Holy Spirit Art show at the Cultural Center. Ever the seasoned host, Rody had fruits, dessert treats and coffee for the gang. Helping him out was Belen and her family. Belen as we know is the Picar’s caretaker for their former Makati Pension House business. The predicatable Alex Villaflor is, well, predictably late. When everyone was already in Rody’s pad, Alex arrived at the Art Show which is now closed. 

Ma. Isabel Baptism 

Isabel is all of four months – the youngest addition to the Moore family. Claire and Alex came over from Singapore to have her baptized in the presence of family and friends last Sunday. The CAFAs naturally qualify under the latter category and where they occupied one big table in the party. CAFAs who came were Tong, Rita, Oni, Bili, Pearl, Vic, Emy, Cynthia and of course, Nore and Didi. Nore’s siblings are extended CAFAs (Lyn and Francis) who were at the CAFA table as well. The party place is located in the Timog area of QC. The place will eventually become a public eatery with a new concept that is still being formalized by the industrious Lyn. The resto is called Renato’s (after Rene) and comes complete with function rooms for business meetings and other cozy gatherings.

See slide show for more photos.

Busy January

Following the Christmas season, American CAFAs (i.e. Nore, Didi, Rody, Tong, Rita and Emy) are seen in town today. Bili herself just arrived from the US. She is taking a break from her required apostolic duties. Considering the amount of time she spends there (3 months out of the last 5 months), Bili is beginning to qualify as a Balikbayan!

Last Sunday, a little party was held in Oni and Bili’s house in Greenmeadows. It was mainly a bienvenida for Bili. Bili had been out for so long that her Villavicencio family was missing her. Another reason was her family’s eagerness to see her first ‘apo’ (son of Lia) for the first time. Sunday being the eve of Oni’s birthday as well, the CAFA balikbayans together with locals Dinky, Milou, Pearl, Vic, Cecille, Dero and Alex also came. 

The main objective of the CAFA get together was to plot out the forthcoming activities of the CAFAs while the balikbayans are in town. Thus, a dinner at Intramuros; an art exhibit opening at the Cultural Center; the baptism of Nore’s apo at Timog; and the excursion to Dagupan and Pangasinan were lined up as the activities for the month of February. 

The Sunday affair was a laughter-filled evening for the CAFAs. Some of the CAFAs brought food and drink as their contribution to the party (bibingka, ice drop, buko pandan, wine, etc.). But since they didn’t know that there would be other guests, there wasn’t enough quantity for all. The problem was solved when the CAFAs were made to assemble in the Dining Room (the other guests were in the yard) while Oni instructed the waiter to discretely serve the CAFA goodies only to the CAFAs! 

Dinky noted that due to the large and spirited CAFA assembly, this Sunday get-together qualifies as a CAFA mini reunion. Since there were other visitors that day, the CAFAs got to sing for them as well. A couple of songs (Cherish and Up and Away) were finely delivered but surely, the latter songs (‘If I Fell’ and ‘Man Come Into Egypt’) were renditions that can only be termed as Alzheimer-style singing. Despite the lack of practice that led to performance miscue, the CAFASingers continue to impress with their Dero- inspired harmony style especially for guests who have never heard the CAFAs. 

Oni’s note: 

In ending, I apologize on missing out on inviting other CAFAs to this sudden affair (Bili just arrive Friday midnight when the Sunday party was formalized). And through all my efforts to forget my age, thanks anyway to everyone who had greeted me (reminded?) a Happy Birthday on the Email. Basta CAFA, I’ll take it from them. Heh heh.


See slide show for more photos.

The Jet Setter

Didi and Nore are in town . . again. Clearly the quintessential jet setters, the couple is making the America-Asia route comonplace  But as often as they come, it’s always a treat to exchange stories (and outrageous ideas) with Didi and Nore. Among the Cafasinger topics discussed that night were the political camps of American friends, the escapades of Didi and other intellectual stuff meant to change the world.

We know that Claire (based in Singapore with hubby Alex) had recently given birth to her second child.  Thrilled at the blessed development, Grandpa and Grandma surely had to rush to there to check out their spanking new grandaughter. (I can’t help but be amused at the thought that Nore goes to Asia and Bili goes to America for the same general purpose – apostolic work!) 

But fast forward to the present.  The Cafa meeting this time was not purely social.  Nore has a Godmother (ninang) who is all of 97 years old.  She is Tita Monsy V. Joven who passed away last Friday. The deceased is a native of Taal Batangas and who also happens to be Bili’s aunt. Inevitably, our first meeting with Nore and Didi for this season was at Tita Monsy's wake in Manila Memorial Park.

From the wake Didi, Nore, Francis, Bili and I went out for dinner. Manila Memorial Park is in Sucat Paranaque and the group tried out the new Max restaurant nearby.  I had not tasted Max Spring chicken  (good to the bones!) in a while and so that dinner proved to be as delightful as the company.

A Wednesday Afternoon in Manhattan

On a sunny day in October, CAFAs met for a get together at the artsy Chelsea neighborhood in NYC . Tong and Rita Salgado drove in from Rockland County. Romy and Rori Ballesteros arrived by train from Connecticut. Oni and Bili Mayo took the subway from the East Side of NY to the West. Eileen Robbins and Nore Lim arrived by bus from their homes also located in the West Side. Of course, the gracious host of the event, Rodi Picar, waited for everyone at the assembly place – Rodi and Howie’s Chelsea apartment. 

The plan was to take lunch at nearby Spice Restaurant and then hang out at Rodi’s apartment. Leave it to Rodi to organized a real culinary and fun event. The Asian fusion menu at Spice Restaurant offered a choice of exotic spicy and not too spice food.  But the antipasta feast at Rodi’s apartment afterwards takes the cake. Not to be outdone by the recent drinking party of the San Francisco 4 (Dyn, Myna, Alice and Ben), the New York 9 showed that they know how to imbibe too. Tong brought special California wine that complemented Rodi’s sumptuous table. See photos. 

The party was capped by delicious Quiche pie and more antipasta and wine before the group broke up at around 7PM. Tong and Rita offered to bring Romi, Rori, Oni and Bili to their destinations (on the East side) in his car. Since Romi and Rori would be the first ones off at Grand Central Station, Tong kidded him that once he is gone, the remaining guys will talk about him. Romy predicted that he knows what the group will say once he and Rori breaks off from the gang. He dead panned: “Ang sasabihin nyo ay napakaswerteng babae talaga ni Rori!” 

Apart from the proposed Milwaukee reunion next year, the gang talked about CAFA guys going to the Philippines around January and February 2013. Rodi and Howie, Rita and Tong, and likely Nore and Didi are planning to be in the Philippines come January. This will be an opportunity to have an early taste of the beach resorts of Rodi and Alex in La Union and Dagupan respectively. It is hoped that some of the West Coast CAFAs can make it too. How about it, Bess? 

Ala eh, tuloy-tuloy baga ang ligaya! 

See slide show for more photos.

San Francisco Birthdays Celebration

By Ben Tuason 

Speaking of lasingan, we (Dynn, Mynna, Alice and Ben) are at Mynna's house celebrating the birthdays of Dynn (Sep 26), Mynna (Sep 25) and Alice (Oct 4). Here since 2 pm. It is now almost 8pm. Walang tigil ang lasingan, kainan, at kuwentuhan. Nagluto si Mynna ng lengua estofado, sinigang na hipon (malalake). Si Dynn gumawa ng ginatang bilu-bilo. Si Alice nagdala ng custard pie and muffins. Ako naman nagdala ng halayang ube, gawa ni Tes na hindi sumama dahil inaway ako, kaya dito ako matutulog kasama ng mga lasengga. Oni, pinag-uusapan ka naman namin. Totoo ba ang mga balita tungkol sa iyo? Nakakakilabot naman.

From the CAFAs, Happy Birthday Dynn, Mynna and Alice!

CAFA Afternoon in Salgado County

It’s a Fall Tuesday in Manhattan and the start of the UN General Assembly. The President of the USA was coming to the UN event and NYPD vehicles and personnel blocked off First Avenue (where the UN is located). They also limited access to side streets (42nd through 47th Streets) leading to 2nd Avenue. Why is this situation important to know?  Well, because Tong Salgado is coming into NYC (from Rockland) to get Rodi Picar and Oni Mayo for a CAFA fun get together at his home.

Rodi wisely decided that the best way for Tong to avoid blocked off streets and the resulting traffic would be to meet up at 5th Avenue. Rodi came to 5th Avenue from his home in Chelsea at the West side of Manhattan. Oni walked to 5th Avenue from his apartment located in the vicinity of the highy security UN area. By eleven AM the three were in Tong’s car for the trip north to Rockland County where the Salgado clan stays. 

After a scenic pleasant trip through the State Parkway, Tong pulled up at his garage. Lola Rita Salgado was there, sunning herself on the driveway with new grandson Arthur (son of Ariel and Coleen) on her lap. Yes, the retired Tong and Rita are doing baby sitting chores. Bili Mayo is much in the same boat (she was left back in Manhattan where she was needed to help out daughter Lia with her newborn). This is why Bili had to skip going with the CAFAs to Rockland. 

The lunch was sumptuous rib-eye grilled steak, buttered wild flounder fillet, shrimp pasta and fresh green salad capped with choices of cake desserts. Rita prepared the meal while tending her now frisky grandson but of course ably assisted by doting Grandpa Tong. The enjoyable afternoon lasted into the evening. Still full from the heavy lunch, the group indulged once more on Salgado hospitality by evening before heading home.  Pizza (served with unlimited anchovies) over glasses of wine was the tasty coup de grace. 

Romy and Rory are now in Connecticut with Romy’s mom. The couple was suppose to join the Rockland party but had to cancel at the last minute.  Romy's mom had to be brought to the hospital where we hope she will be OK. According to Tong, the other East Coast CAFAs are not available since many are still not 'retarded' like us and have to be at work. In the case of Nore and Didi, they just arrived that day itself from Vancouver and thus missed the party. 

A CAFA get together is always an experience. Watching the CD of the Vermont Reunion brought back memories.  Trivial chit chat could not be avoided. It has become standard reunion fare today to go through the list of CAFA members and back talk each one of them. As usual, it's too bad if you were not there to defend yourself. Hear that, Dero, Bess and Alice? Not only did the group dig deep into the past about well-kept secrets but it was fun dissecting the unique personalities of dear friends. (Ben, Sam and Tito – you were not spared.) 

The next CAFA Grand Reunion was also a topic of conversation. “Wacky in Milwaukee” is high on the list but Tong suggested that a “See Ya in Manila” Part II would also be fun. Rodi agreed and offered his beach resort in La Union as a possible Northern leg of the reunion. From Rody's place in La Union, the nice destination places in the North (Baguio, Vigan, Pangasinan) are nearby. 

So boys and girls, please plan to go to the next CAFA reunion as early as now. Sam, no more excuses.  Gerry, are you listening? 

See slide show for more photos.

Sunday Funday

On Sunday September 10, The CAFAs had a get-to at Foster City, California. Ben & Tess came from Davies. Dynn & Mynna came from Sacramento. Alice came from Union City. Oni came from San Francisco two days earlier. 

Except for Oni, the guys drove most of the morning from their different cities. Everyone was at the Chinese resto by lunchtime (ABC resto along Hillsdale Ave.) but the resto was filled up and the CAFAs had to cool their heels for 20 minutes or so. 

The wait was worth it. Steaming hot dimsum on carts rolled by between tables.  The CAFAs had a field day picking out their preferences and wolfing down the delicious tidbits. Alice couldn’t take all the protein and so she ordered pancit. Oni approved the lechon kawali to the disapproving glare of the health conscious CAFAs.

 Maybe because of their salable conmodity, the ABC restaurant proved to be a haughty one; not only don’t they accept reservations but by 3PM, they seem to be hurrying up the customers so that they can close already. Talk about a “sellers market” attitude! But as they say- 'when you're good, you're good!'

After the filling lunch, the CAFAs proceeded to nearby Hillsdale Shopping Center in search of real coffee. Walking around the mall, Ben squeezed in a little shopping.  He bought a nifty fatigue jacket with lots of breast pockets (see slide photos). The group eventually settled for Starbucks.  The group took advantage of Starbuck's comfy sidewalk sitting facilities up to closing time.

The CAFAs had high plane conversation as usual. Appropriate topics include what is the best posture when sitting on a toilet bowl.  Or whether pets are better to have than a paramour at this stage in one's life. Health statistics were also of high concern. Oni wondered if it’s a country thing when 3 out of 6 guys in the CAFA huddle have no more gall bladder? This is not mentioning the fact that 2 out of 6 have eye cataract problems. 

By 5:30PM, most of the group reluctantly had to head for their homes which could be 2 to 3 hours drive away. The CAFAs would not admit though that the reason they had to leave before dark is that darkened roads are hard to see when one has cataract problems. Alice drove Oni back to his Foster City base where she got to at least meet Bili too. Bili could not join the CAFA lunch.  She was with her college chums (based in North California) who also invited her out for the weekend. 

 It was another good meet for the CAFAs who never seem to tire of getting together. For sure, they talked about the next big CAFA thing.  Gerry, please be forewarned and get Wisconsin ready. At least for this California group, Wisconsin is now calendared for the CAFA September 2013 Grand Reunion.

See slide show for more photos.