WACKY IN MILWAUKEE!

The CAFAs great reunion tradition continues. Starting from the get together at Hilton Head in 1995, the Milwaukee reunion is the fifth of a series for the CAFAs. At the week beginning of October - the start of scenic Fall - more than two dozen CAFA alumni and their relations congregated in the American Midwest city of Milwaukee.

The gallant host in Milwaukee was Gerry ‘Idol’ Ramos. (Many kilos ago, he may have been an idol). Gerry was not alone in the organizational effort.  He had help from CAFASingers in the area.  The guys without whose support the reunion would not be viable were Ely Tuason (from Plano) and Rudy Rivera (from Woodbridge). Gerry, Rudy and Ely certainly outdid themselves in making the affair worth it for the CAFAs. 

Starting out with an Architectural river cruise of Chicago, the first day culminated with a big party at Gerry’s house in Milwaukee. (Yes, it was Gerry’s birthday celebration that was held in his back yard garden). The rest of the week included seafood lunch at Milwaukee’s rustic Public Market place (it was so good, that the group did it twice in the week).  From the Public Market, the CAFAs viewed the city’s industrial design exhibit (partly organized by Ryan, Gerry’s talented son).

Then there were:  outlet shopping; tour of the Frank Lloyd Wright Johnson building complex in Racine; tour of the Calatrava-designed city museum; an evening with Filipino food and band show (Pampanga Express Resto) in Waukegan; Golf for the Tiger Wood wannabe’s in Milwaukee; and finally the reunion’s grand event at the Philippine Community Center. 

Gerry is proud of the Philippine Community Center building. He was mainly responsible for finding the site and overseeing the building reconstruction some years back. The facilities of the Center suited the requirement of the CAFAs final evening affair event. Being professional caterers, Rudy and Cindy took over the kitchen for that night. I did not have the opportunity to visit their Sebu Restaurant in Chicago when it was still operating, but now I know why it was so successful for many years. Efficiently, by themselves, Rudy and Cindy arrayed their silver-and-crystal like dinner setting and tasty dishes for the group to sample.

Guests to the event included the large Ramos family. The new faces were Gerry and Agnes Salvo who came all the way from neighboring Madison. (The week before the reunion, Bili and Oni were in Madison enjoying the hospitality of Gerry and Agnes. Agnes is Bili’s school chum from STC in Quezon City). Another special guest is Margaret Denk, the friend of Eileen. (Margaret is a retired TV producer who lives in Chicago.)  Not really guests, but noteworthy to mention are the young generation who came with their CAFA parents (Tina Einsiedel and Enrique Tuason). 

The event had typical CAFA socializing. One joke from Dinky - Question: What do you call the female genitalia of a ghost? Answer: Spooky. As usual, they also talked about the 'dark' secrets of those who were unable to join the reunion.  For Cecile (recuperating in Iloilo), Alma (family obligations), Sarah (vacation schedule conflict), Ben (surprise na lang), Mina (jury duty), Sam (knee replacement), Emi (transferring houses), Hector (ill mother-in-law) and Tito (I'll see), we missed you guys. But in line with tradition, we talked about you. (Don't worry, your secrets are safe with us, but you realize that urban legend grows the more it is talked about.  Sam, your legend grows. heh heh)

The singing (Joey "Elvis", Rudy and Alice)and dancing (Didi and Lina) days before the grand event with the Pampango Resto band was a preview of things to come.  For the grand event, the group was really all primed up.  Providing the music were Gerry’s talented daughters (Camille and Carrissa), Alice and Bess, Gerry Salvo, Tong, Cindy and of course the CAFASingers. A surprise was the magic act of Gerry’s son-in-law, an aspiring magician. The night culminated with a raffle. The prizes were contributed by the CAFAs and included a Lenore Lim art work that Alice won. A raffle of sorts that everyone won was the Reunion Tee Shirt compliments of the generous Ely. 

Summarily, it was an enjoyable full week for the CAFAs. Lest we forget, other people to thank are the better halves of the organizers, Jojo, Cindy and Ariane.  These ladies were seen mightily balancing the requirements of their homes while assisting their husbands in the reunion affair.  (As Tong said, the men attend to the policies, while the women implement.)  Another group to thank are the “Hassan’s” (car pool drivers) without whom the group would not be mobile. These guys were: Ely; Ariane; Didi; Rudy; Joey Abalos; Romy; Bess and Margaret. 

Til the next CAFA reunion, hasta la vista, amigos y amigas. I understand that three places are in contention for the next reunion: the Philippines; Salt Lake City; and the East Coast. We should talk about that soon. This time please schedule your hip, knee and other replacements already so everyone can come to be counted! This call is especially directed to Fe, Alex, Pearl and Dero who have given no reasons not to attend.  Hala.

See slide show for more photos.