CAFA Fun

In Manila for Claire’s December book launch, Nore fell in with the holiday spirit where she enjoyed some of the Metro’s exciting happenings; unfortunately, Didi was tasked to baby-sit the grandbabies in Singapore so he missed out on the Manila happenings this season. Over two days, Nore, Oni and Bili saw the Philippine version of the “Producers” show and enjoyed yet another Rocking 60s performance at Chef and Brewer.

 The Producers show was a Broadway style presentation capably acted out by A. Gemora, Gi Teongi , and other Repertory Philippine stars. The show was also a fund raising event of sorts by the organizers for the Yolanda calamity victims. And guess who we bumped into at the theatre lobby – Baby and Bobby Bareiro! The couple is retired now from traditional jobs and is thinking of more exciting activities for themselves. Would you believe another career in entertainment production? Being connected with the television industry most of their lives, Baby and Bobby certainly have the credentials to make this new venture of theirs a success. Good luck, guys. 

The Rocking 60s have survived their professional crisis period and are now set for heightened activities. The group mainstays led by Titus Santiago are front men Weng Erana and Dero Pedero. Then they acquired Cathy Castenada of the erstwhile Music Making Company. Together with Cash Manalang, the group are now capable of presenting an expanded repertoire (Cliff Richard and Petula Clark numbers as well as other classics i.e. Aquarius, Those Were the Days, etc).

See slide show for more photos.

Don't Forget the Soap

Last Friday, Dec 6, Claire had her book launch at the global city (the Fort). Despite the Friday Christmas traffic, the hall for the festivity was filled to the so-called hilt with well wishers. Based on the long queue who wanted their book copies autographed after the speeches, the book sale was clearly a success. (I saw them refilling the empty display stands). Personalities of the evening were Vicky Garchitorena (who was the guest speaker), former cabinet secretary Roberto Romulo and Citibank officials (Citibank co-sponsored the affair). I presume that the other sponsor was Lynn's new restaurant in QC which served the canapes for the event. 

The CAFAs who graced the event were Cecille (Ascalon), Alice (Jose), Imelda and husband (Cajipe), Vic and Pearl (Ortega), Fiel (Zabat), Alex (Villaflor) and Oni and Bili (Mayo). Nore's good friends Botchi and Titus (Santiago) were there.  Nore's other friends (from her Holy Spirit school, Canada and  USA network) were also present at the affair. Of course, supportive son-in-law (Alex), dad (Didi), uncle (Francis), aunt (Lyn), nephews (Jonjon and Armin) and other relatives were present. It was unfortunate that other CAFAs got stuck in traffic or couldn't get any transportation at all and thus were not able to make it. (Cat Belo waited at her place from 1 to 4 PM for a taxi that never came).

Claire's speech during the opening ceremony was nationalistic, refreshing and informative that made us all proud -  and which just goes to prove how she is a chip of that old block.

See slide show for more photos.