Fe's Place

Just before Tong and Rita were slated to return to America, a CAFA despedida party was held at Fe Bareiro's house.  The party scheduling was quite a feat since some CAFA's had committed to out-of-town missions ( Oni was to go to Samar, and Dinky had to go to Silay). It was not completely timely for all since Nore had to already leave already for Singapore).

The party was held in Fe's grand house (art masterpieces hanging on many walls of the house, several sitting places for visitors, a grand piano, and a swimming pool and party area in the large yard.  This is not to talk about the many karaoke systems in the den.  The karaoke machines had not been used in a while that Fe and her maids had forgotten how the system run! But that didn't stop the singing as the CAFAs headed for the music den after dinner.

But that's getting ahead of the story.  Dinner was held at poolside where the CAFAs had their usual witty, if not snide oral interchanges.  Kawawa na naman ang absent.  The food was great and this time, there's only one pancit dish (brought by Cecille).  In the middle of the dinner, Bobby (Fe's hubby) arrived home from work and joined the group.  Rody brought along his friend Rupert, a balikbayan (see photo above with Cecille . .that's a Zalameda on the far wall).  The CAFAs who came to the party were:  Tong and Rita, Dinki and Milu, Oni and Bili, Vic and Pearl,  Cecil, Emi, Alex, Rodi and Dero.

As mentioned in my Email earlier, the group purposely discussed the next grand CAFA reunion.  Top of the list is a Philippine Reunion sometime in January or February next year. For this reunion, the possibilities are:  a special CAFA musicale show, city tours (malls, heritage, etc.), local tours (Boracay, Cebu, Palawan, etc.) and just plain hanging out with eccentric CAFA guys.  Dero, Oni and Dinki are all for the CAFA musical show.  An interesting option would be an Asian Cruise (Japan-Korea-China?).  Ideas on the reuinion are most welcome.  Let's throw the idea around in the Email and build it up.  If this will be early next year, we need to come to terms by June at the latest.  Hala Bira!

Psst.  Sorry for the minimal pictures.  Those who took some are requested to send it to Oni so that he can make a slide show of these and append it to this Blog.

Despedida for Bess ATBP

Bess Despedida
Da Bess Silva came to town for a visit and she just gave the CAFAs a one day window to set up a reunion for her.  She was in touched with Rita . . who called Oni . . who in turn advised the CAFA group about the despedida.  And thus, another party!  Those who came were:  Tong and Rita, Pearl and Vic, Oni and Bili, Dinky and Milu, Nore, Rodi, Emi and Fe.  They brought the menu fare for the night which due to the rush organization resulted in 4 types of pancit!

From the start of the party early on at 5PM, it was one continuous banter and merry making. i.e. Food and wine flowing freely.  Kodakan.  Singing of CAFASingers trademark songs. Group discussions.  special discussions (see photo of Emi and Alex for example ).   More Kodakan.  Piano playing (I was agaped - Fe is a pianist who can really read notes!).  Naughty songs (Gusto kong maging . . lastiko!).   Bess providing her alto for the melody line of the Tennessee Babe song.  Tong singing Sound of Silence anew. Republicans versus Democrats issues.  PNoy things. The next CAFA grand reunion (cruise?).  Lots more.

Those who gave notice that they will not come to the despedida were: Hector, Dero and Sam (for Sandy). Although they had valid reasons for not making it, the unforgiving CAFA group feels 'let down'. Hence, these guys initially took the brunt of the sniping and backbiting.   And then Bess' family (daughters and apo) came.  Heading the group was Bess' chill 90 year old Aunt who came in shorts!  (the group came from somewhere and were fetching Bess to go home)

It was close to midnight when the group finally called it a day. Everyone had an enjoyable time that led to more reunions being scheduled.  On February 16 a despedida-karaoke of sorts will be hosted by Fe for Tong and Rita (leaving for their US home shortly after that).  Be sure to bring your M1s for this one.

UP Fund Raising Art Exhibit
Last February 2, Oni and Nor attended an art exhibit at UP Diliman.  Pearl and Vic Ortega were also there at the exhibit.  The exhibitors were 2 senior artists and 2 younger artist with vastly different styles. The raised funds will go towards upgrading the UP Fine Arts building facilities.   It was good to rub elbows with national artists BenCab and Araceli Dans.  After the ribbon cutting, Vic and Oni headed for the tables in the far yard. There the waiters freely served cocktail food and drinks. Good art.  Interesting personalities.  UP colleagues.  Free food.  What more can one ask for?





See slide show for more photos.

The Big Seven

The CAFAs came out in force to see Oni off at the start of the new decade in his life. The Balikbayans were  Tong and Rits, Rodi and Nore.  Old reliables present were Emi, Pearl, Baby, Alex, Hector, Dero, and the trio of Dinky-Milou-Teena.  Extension CAFA members Francis, Titus and Botchi were there too.  The other guests were Oni's family and classmate friends from high school and grad school.

Attending to the many guests, Oni was not able to listen much to the CAFA talk.  But from their guffaws, Oni surmise that they were making interesting (uncharitable?) commentaries about  CAFA absentees.  It's a good thing that the small musical program started right after dinner, otherwise the sniping might have continued unabated.

Oni had planned for a small musical program for the guests.  It was the kind of program where selected talents from among the guests were the performers themselves.  Alex Salva (Neo pianist) was there to make the "unplugged" performance happen.  Oni's grad school classmate Noni Dolera had the Diomedes Maturan sound when he dished out "Ako Ay  Nandito" (Oni's original composition).  Tachi Billano from Oni's Christ the King Music Ministry had everyone agape with her classy rendition (theater musical quality) of two other original songs.

The program actually started with a blast when Da Dero took over the 'stage' for the opening number.  He surprised everyone with a medley of his past jingles which he sang with gusto.  Ultimately he called the CAFASingers in to provide the singing for an M1 medley of CAFASinger standard songs.  Mind you, this was all unrehearsed.  Da Dero seemed to enjoy and had to be "dragged" away from the stage by Titus since their Rockin' 60s group had sets to do at Chef & Brewer.  They were already 20 minutes late for that!

After the rehearsed songs by Noni and Tachi, it was "open mic" time and Alex Salva had his hands full accompanying next singers who were remiss in the accuracy of their lyrics and tempo.  It was good to see that most of the audience stayed on to listen even to unrehearsed music.

The CAFAs talked about old times again.  (Hindi na nagsawa).  As Baby said, she is a masochist by remaining a loyal CAFASinger fan despite the fact that she is made to listen to only 4 standard songs every time the CAFASingers performed.  Tong was not spared by Baby who teasingly called him "Mr. Sound of Silence". Tong was defensive and said that he knew other songs but that this song is for a duet.  He apologized for his duet partner Ely who he said unfortunately knew only that song.

The CAFAs also contrived another inane game again that night.  It was called "matira ang matibay".  This means that nobody makes a move to leave the party!  Seated around one of the big tables the CAFAs continued their merry making ways drinking coffee and picking on cakes.  By 1:30AM Oni observed that the caterers were beginning to surround the table.  They were waiting for the CAFAs to vacate their table so that they can take it and leave.  It was only then that the party ended.

Oh, well.  That's one birthday bash Oni will never forget.















See slide show for more photos.