CAFA Manila Happenings

The Didi & Nore Show 

Last Sunday I got a call from Nore. She and Didi just arrived again from Singapore. The couple hosted a sudden dinner party at their pad in The Grove - that high-end condo in the Ortigas area. 

Present at the party were two couples who live in the neighborhood - Titus and Botchi Santiago and Oni and Bili Mayo. Titus is of course the founder of the Rocking 60s band. The band is currently undergoing a reorg. Titus is working towards developing a new repertoire with new members. The way it's going, Oni teased Titus that the Rocking 60s may now be Rocking 70s. 

The three couples couldn't get enough of chika. The hot topics ranged from intrigues within the Rocking 60s members, to political issues, to President PNoy's accomplishments. The group was so engrossed with the good food and conversation that the party lasted beyond m

idnight. I told Titus that this is the situation when CAFAs get together in reunions.

The Dionne Warwick Show 

The legendary Dionne Warwick visited Manila for a one night show in Araneta Coliseum. Bili and Oni attended the show. DW was generally OK but was very sparing with her numbers. Anyway, her front act (Pavales?) made up for it with their great Motown sound. It took a while before Dionne could reach her high notes. Her short gray streaked haircut and the lines on her face caused one observer to ask whether it was Nelson Mandela on stage. heh heh. Nevertheless, the crowd loved her and sang out loud with her over strains of classics like San Jose, Alfie, You See This Guy, etc. 

But the big deal of the night was one guy in the crowd. Yes, President Noynoy is apparently a fan and he came with some of his cabinet members. It was amazing to see PNoy hobnobbing with the masses after the show! You would think that he would be fully insulated and secured. Powerful syndicates are presently hurting due to PNoy's unrelenting campaign against corruption in Government. 

Mabuhay - and Reunion na!

See slide show for more photos.

Carmen Prieto Exhibit

Last week, the NEOs re-emerged after a hiatus. They were asked to provide the intermission numbers for an art exhibit held in LRI Bldg. in Makati. The artist was Carmen Prieto, good friend of Alex Villaflor. If we look back, Carmen is also the mom of Tetris, erstwhile NEO member. 

The art show was looking successful where guests were seen taking art works (purchased on the spot) off the walls to bring home. The NEOs did CAFA standards while the cocktails were being served in the hall. The NEOs who were there consisted of old reliables Dinky, Alex V, Hector and Oni. 

Today, the NEO's standard numbers are however not so standard anymore. Yes virginia, the NEOs are back with a new arranger in Alex Salva. Alex S is a young music production major (graduate of University of St. Benilde) who not only arranges but who is a session artist and vocalist. The new arrangements were standardized (for the 4 men) hence, the new NEO music can now be live and even unplugged! 

The NEO numbers in the exhibit were performed live with Alex S on keyboard and Oni on the guitar. It was refreshing to once again feel the energy of live accompaniment in performance. "Summer Song" was given a new acoustic take and the NEOs finally nailed down that pesky ending chord in "Cherish". "Man Come Into Egypt" really took off with keyboard basic and guitar accent backing. "Stasera" on the other hand became even more haunting with keyboard support. 

After the intermission numbers in the gallery, the NEOs were not done. Later on in the art show, the NEOs proceeded to the Grafito Bar at the building ground floor were they did more numbers for some of the exhibit guests. The NEOs took the first set on stage while another group did the second set. Would you believe NEOs now adopting Beatles, Lettermen and Chad & Jeremy standards? With Alex S's help, the NEOs are now working on new material for better audience appeal and rapport. 

If we can get Hector, Alex V and Alex S to come to Milwaukee in October, we will be in business, otherwise Dinky and I will have to do duets. heh heh.

See slide show for more photos.