Late Thanksgiving / Early Christmas Party

The CAFAs had another get together recently. Tong and Rita are in town and that wasn't going to get by the sentimental CAFAs without a party. The activity was held in Oni's house in Greenmeadows.  The pot luck set up saw an overflowing of fine meriendacena food and drinks. 

Those who came for the occasion are: Fe and Bobby Bareiro, Pearl and Vic Ortega, and Rita and Tong (of course lang). And then the singles were NeoCafas Dero, Alex, Dinky and Oni. (Milu is in Silay and Bili is in NY). Emi said she would come but she got stuck in her own family party. 

The merienda talk ranged from politics to geriatric diseases to life lessons. Surprisingly, there was not much CAFA bashing concerning those who were not in the party - there were so much other better things to discuss (or bash). Alex exposed to the group a stage play project that Oni is working on. That was fodder for "whazzup" questions which put Oni in the hot seat to face the critical CAFAs. Oni tried to 'obfuscate' the situation by explaining the nuances of the project through 'inchoate' means. It wasn't enough smokescreen to elude the bashing. (Emi, your support would have come in handy, heh heh). 

Dero was the sage who gave good advise. He said that at this stage, we should really make it a point to document any good ideas we have and share these with the world. Oni agrees. Because of Senior moments, Oni forgets at times details of the play script and music that he himself created . For instance, Tong's suggested a change in the story timeline (from 3 years to 5 years) which added to Oni's confusion since the suggestion does make sense. Am I making sense?

IMPROMPTU CAFA REUNION

Kincaid's, Jack London Square, Oakland, California

Sept. 13, 2014 

It had to take Bess to make the impromptu reunion to happen! 

She came to San Francisco with Eddie (who had some business to attend to), thinking that the CAFA mini-reunion was on Sept. 13. She didn't know that it had been moved to Sept. 20 because Ben's son was celebrating his birthday of the 13th and the father and son had planned to spend the day together. Since Bess and Eddie had to be back in LA by Sunday, the only time we could all get together was late afternoon of Sept. 13. 

So, there we were -- Bess and Eddie, Ben and Tess, Mynna and Dynn, Alice, Milou, Teena and I -- at Kincaid's, a classy resto beside what looked like a yatch club at the Jack London Square in Oakland, having dinner and enjoying each other's company! Bess and Eddie drove 5 hours from LA Friday night, Mynna and Dynn drove from Sacramento 2 hours and picked up Ben and Tess along the way, Alice took the BART from Union City, while Milou, Teena and I came from our son-in-law's parents' place in Vallejo which was about 40 minutes away. 

Typically CAFA, it didn't take much to convince everyone to change whatever plans each one had already made, and come to the impromptu reunion! It had to be done in Oakland because traffic into San Francisco on a Saturday evening is just as bad as traffic on EDSA on a Friday night . . . even without the flooded streets! Ben chose the resto, Kincaid's, which had a wide choice of seafood dishes. We had calamare for starters. Clam chowder and shrimp bisque were the soups of choice. For the entree, some ordered steak, some had crab. Everything we ordered had fancy names! And, of course, we had good California white wine to go with the meal, although Dynn found it too sweet (but drank it anyway)! 

But it wasn't so much the food, but rather the company that we enjoyed. It was great to spend time with Dynn, Ben and Tess, Bess and Eddie and Alice whom we had not seen since Pala Mesa in 2012. Mynna we saw when she came to Manila and joined the trip to Silay and Iloilo in 2013. But like always, it seemed like we had not seen each other for a very long time! We, of course, talked about the people who were not present! Somehow, the topic of conversation kept on going back to who were grandparents already, or how many grandchildren does each of us have. Dynn surprised us that her eldest grandchild is already first year college. And Alice was even more surprising when she announced she'll be a great-grandmother in January! 

Before we all parted ways, Alice asked where and when the next grand reunion will be. No one could give an answer but someone (I think it was Bess) who asked "Isn't it going to be in Manila?" Bess also said she'll be going to Cagayan de Oro in January for her grandmother's 90th birthday. Mynna also mentioned she'll be in Manila in February. There will be a period in early February when both Bess and Mynna will be there. In true CAFA spirit, that sounds like a good reason for another reunion! 

By the way, Alice, Bess, Ben and Mynna took a lot of photos and hopefully will post these for everyone to see. Alice and Bess sent me some of the photos they took last night on my disposable celfone. I tried to text them to acknowledge receiving it but I can't figure out how to turn off the "predictive text" on the phone! I know Americans are good at many things, but I don't understand why they have predictive text!

Cheers!

Dinky


See slide show for more photos.

One Last Adieu & Hurrah

Last Saturday, the members of the exclusive CAFA Art Club got together at the Grove. The on-and-of affair finally pushed through after a required adjustment in the party venue. The party was essentially for the classmates to see each other and reminisce about those who have gone ahead. We know that in the recent past, the group had lost two of its stalwarts in the persons of Bong and Nic. 

The ever attractive CAFA ladies who came to the party were: Emi, Fiel, Lulu, Cynthia, Norma, Cecille, Pearl and Nore. The male interlopers were Jess, Francis, Didi, Vic and Oni. Before the repast, a special prayer was said for the two late artists. In symbolic gesture, two black candles were dramatically placed on the dining table and lighted as the special prayer was read.

As usual Jess was a barrel of laughs.  Jess did not hold anything back when he described the last days of Nic and the private happenings he witnessed in the subsequent wake and cremation. The others in the group jumped in and contributed to the now growing urban legend of Bong and Nic. The group thought that this was the way Nic and Bong would have liked it. In eerie synchrony, one black candle was snuffed out after the group talked about Nic. The other black candle followed suit after the group talked about Bong. Hala! 

Overall, the talked about Bong and Nic was also about acknowledging their great talent and corresponding humanity (if not sexuality?). Typical of a CAFA Fine Arts party, the affair was boisterous overall and even raunchy.  Most of the sexual jokes were of course due to Jess' consistent teasing of the ladies and leading deprecating remarks re unknowing CAFA classmates who did not make it to the party.

See slide show for more photos.

Rodi’s Manda Pad

Last Sunday, the CAFA gang converged together once again. The place was at Rodi Picar’s modern pad in Pioneer Highlands building (in Mandaluyong). The modern interior of the pad showcased Rodi’s knack for interior design. The monochromatic dark hues of the pad’s interior surfaces (walls, ceiling and floors) provided an artsy and cozy base from where one can look out the long window line that wrapped around the living and dining areas. 

From the living room, the view of the Makati skyline is fabulous. Rodi’s guest enjoyed not only the view but also the good repast served by Rody’s old faithfuls. CAFA guests were Oni Mayo, Pearl Ortega, Dinky Einsiedel with Milou and Teena, Nore and Didi Lim, Francis RSantos, Alex Villaflor and Emi Mercado. Other guests include Ave and Marivic – Rodi’s friends visiting from New York. 

The ever present CAFA singing was evident. In the absence of the other NeoCafas, a new band spontaneously emerged. By this, I mean that new ‘members’ came to the rescue in the absence of the regular CAFASingers. Having listened to the CAFAs so many times, Didi and Francis knew the songs and thus they provided the melody line for the singing. With Alex, Dinky and Oni providing the harmony notes, a decent sound was actually produced! Drunk with the wine, filled with the food and relaxed by all the singing, the CAFAs finally ended up doing what they do best – chika! 

Of course the usual CAFA secret talk (with below the belt conjectures) regarding those absent was there. The long night ended with chikahan that was dominated by Emi to everyone’s amusement. I’m afraid there’s no way for me to properly describe what was said that had everyone in stitches.You just have to be there to enjoy – alam mo na.

See slide show for more photos.

CAFA 2014 Starter

Last Tuesday, CAFAs got together to celebrate Oni’s birthday and to greet balikbayans Rodi and Nore.  Upon arriving, Emi immediately inquired about Oni’s age but didn’t get a serious answer.  Finding out what Oni's age really is, the audacious Emi declared that it’s her favorite number (take it from there, guys).  Prior to the party, Rodi was tour guide to Howi (who had left for home) and so they were in La Union and Palawan a few days before the party.  Meanwhile Nore arrived from Singapore just that afternoon. 

For the record, CAFAs Pearl and Vic O, Emi M, Cecille A, Rodi P, Dero P, Alex V and Nore L were present and accounted for.  CAFA friends Titus and Botchi S  were also there to  join in the revelry.  Piano music was provided by Alex Salva, the NeoCAFA’s new musical director.  Fe B initially said she was coming but begged off since her visiting sister from Australia suddenly needed medical attention.  NeoCAFAs Dinky E (in Silay) and Hector L (committed) were not able to attend due to previous commitments.  The CAFA group stayed on past the midnight hour especially after Pearl insisted that the traditional birthday cake ritual be observed.  To those who brought gifts (birthday cake, chocolates, signature postcards, the limerick book, the gourmet hot sauce, wine, etc.) - my sincere thanks.    

The party was actually shared between Oni’s CAFA (College) and Ayayay (Gradschool) groups.  Both groups reportedly enjoyed the evening although it was observed that the Ayayays were semi-serious and modulated while the CAFAs were exhuberant and expressive (loud?).  Also, while the Ayayay hesitated to go forward and sing (since they were not prepared to do that), the CAFAs were bold and engaging (shameless?).  It was quite a novel and amusing combination . It is hoped that more CAFA happy reunions will be slated this year.  We’d like to hear from Bess C,  Tito V and Sam S – are you guys coming over this year or not?


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Gerry and Jojo R just came in from the USA and missed the Oni's party by one day.  It is one of their rare visits to the Philippines and the CAFAs got together with them at Comida China restaurant on Sunday. I understand that Gerry will be attending his HS Golden celebration.  The CAFAs who came to the resto to greet Gerry and Jo were:  Dinky and Milou, Vic and Pearl, Oni  and Bili, Rodi and Dero.    

See slide show for more photos.