The Caba Jaunt

by Pearl Ortega 

On Friday,Feb 15, Vic and I took off at about 4:45 am from QC to connect with the rest of the CAFA in Rody's beach house in Caba, La Union, .It was a leisurely drive, but traffic was beginning to build up as we went further up North.You just have to have the Patience with the tricycles weaving in and out before you,my foot also applying the 'brakes' whenever they would cut us but we survived. Since it was early morning, Vic still had his sanity intact. 

Rod was already texting us where we were, around 9am. Bought some boiled corn along the way since we presumed we would be there lunch time. Reached Caba and followed Rod's direction but still missed the road going down the beach. After a while, lo and behold, there it was, the West Philippine Sea, the former China Sea in all its shades and tints of blue and green. Lovely! Rod's place IS also a sight to see. A fusion of Philippine and contemporary design. I guess you have to see it yourself sometime. 

Roberto was already there along with Tong and Rita. They arrived on the 14th, i think, Roberto 13th. So it was a trickle of guests arriving one after the other as we were expecting Alex, Nore, Didi and Emy to follow. Enjoyed the lunch prepared by Belen and her 2 sons, Reese and Christian.Syiempre, punong abala si Rody. Roberto left for Baguio after lunch, Alex arrived and i joined Belen in going to the wet market for our dinner.You wouldnt believe how inexpensive the oysters were,very very fresh, the choice cuts of Tanguigue(fish) which we got to grill and made to' kinilaw'. During dinner, it was decided that we will all go to Vigan the following day and in only one vehicle. Agreed time was 7 for breakfast, take off was 8am. We were all in the van by 9. After the repeatedly "are we there yet?" question for the nth time we finally arrived in Vigan in time for lunch.The guys were made to choose the menu and order. 

While having lunch, we saw 2 funeral hearst complete with fully uniformed marching band each. One looked like cinderella's carriage with flowers pulled by 2 horses, the other one was metal tooled tin and glass so the coffin is visible from the outside, again, drawn by 2 horses. After lunch we entered the Vigan church, for first timers, we suggested that they pray and make 3 wishes. After that we proceeded to the "burnayan" or where the terracotta pots are shaped and formed,then fired.I presume this would be stoneware temperature level .We wanted to buy some but found them too pricey, instead,we walked through the famous Vigan road with the cobbled stones, wanting to see any bargains.I got a folding bamboo serving tray for only P400, a bigger one, tho the strap is leather in Tesoro's would fetch P3,500+. 

There was another church we went to, with a gabled roof and near it , a very old belfry in bricks. Ang ganda! We made our 3 wishes,and lighted candles . We had dinner along the way back to Caba, a joint along the sea where there was live music. We requested for "our" songs but the singer and the piano player were clueless.( mag-request ba naman ng May each day.....). Alex boarded the bus for Manila for an early meeting the following day. 

The guys took their bottle out while feasting on chicharon and talking,talking talking till about past 3 am. We said our goodbyes to Tong and Rita who were suppose to leave by 6am the following day. We woke up at 6am to bid them goodbye anyway. The next day, Sunday,Nore and Didi came but without Emy who was sick. Too bad. We all decided to go to mass : Rod,Didi,Nore,Vic and myself and went to the wet market afterwards . We saw another whole tanigue, got the choice cut again, bought arosep(seaweeds) for salad , and pork, to grill. There was bulalo for soup. After lunch, we needed to power nap that extended from 30mins to more than an hour.We watched the sun go down and it was such a marvelous sight! 

Since Nore and Didi are not going stay overnite, Rod proposed that we go back to Mnla after an early dinner. By 7 pm, we were all ready to go, bidding our ever generous and gracious host goodbye, and planning for the next event. 

It was around 12 am that Vic and i reached QC,and my son had to order pizza because his parents were hungry.However, it was no match to all the natural,bountiful harvest from the sea of La Union. 

Thank you, Caba, for the wonderful experience, bonding with dear friends and partaking of your breathless scenery; thank you very much Rod for your generosity, for making sure that we were comfortable and ok, and most of all thank you Lord that all of us were well enough to savor these pleasures you have made for us to experience 

' May each day.......'
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Editors note:  This issue has no photos.  Go to the CAFA Yahoogroups to see the photos posted by Tong and Rita.

The Grove Happening

by Emy Masigan Mercado

Thank you.... Tong, Rita, Oni, Bili, Didi, Nore, Rody, Vic, Pearl and Francis... for taking time to watch "Journey of a Hundred Years". I noted how your eyes were already popping off its eye sockets but still you were patient enough to watch the dvd. The commentaries were none-stop... Tong Salgado instigating sharp and witty remarks that sometimes I am compelled to say, "He is nothing without me"... of course not meaning it. 

All in all, it was a fine rainy, balmy night... a perfect scenario for long-time friends to make more promises to see each other... more often this year than I have ever noticed... ....and to the formidable couple Tong and Rita, I wish you safe and comfy airplane ride back to the USA. I wish the same to Grandpa Oni and Grandma Bili as they eagerly look forward to many-a-hundred-days of baby sitting. 

...and to Nore and Didi who seem to be forever wrapped in a tornado of happenings, thank you for the beauty of the Grove and the warmth of your hospitality. 

...and to Vic... may I borrow Pearl your wife for some studio painting sessions, long overdue... 

...and to Rody, I love your text, it hit me right in the core of my heart.... 

...and to Francis, I'll see you when I'll see you.... 

Editor's Note: 

Last Thursday, a group of CAFAs held a despedida party for Tong and Rita. The venue was Nore and Didi's spanking new condo at the luxurious Grove - a Rockwell development in Pasig. As ever, Emy entertained everyone with her irrepressible style. Here below is Emy's narrative of what went on that evening. But before that, a backgrounder: 

Nore and Emy were still fresh from their highly successful magnum opus - the College of the Holy Spirit Golden Jubilee celebration dinner-show. Nore (together with Vicky Garchitorena) was the Chair of the school's Jubilee night. Emy for her part was the prime mover and director of the night's musical - "Journey of a Hundred Years" (for the school). If we believe the Holy Spirit crowd who comprised the cast and audience of this entertaining show, they'll be talking about this musical for a hundred years! 

This was the setting when Emy whipped out her DVD of the show held at SMX Mall of Asia. It was late in the day and Tong was posing to retire to prepare for his early morning golf. But Emy would have none of it. Everyone had to watch the show which was really a pleasant surprise. The show script was so professional. (Did you guys know that our Emy studied at the Yale Arts and Drama school in the 70s?) The CAFAs however drew the line when after the long Holy Spirit show movie, Pearl threatened to get her CD of her 40th Wedding event. 

The party finally ended close to midnight. A memorable thing is the emergence of what should be one of CAFA's new catch phrase for 2013: "He is nothing without me! Nothing!" I guess you'll have to talk to the CAFAs present at the Grove to find out under which context this phrase was meant for.

See slide show for more photos.

Pearl in a whirl; more of Nore; coffee with Rody and Affair of Claire

40th Wedding Affair 

Whew! The first 5 weeks of the beginning of the year was a whirl for CAFAs. First on the agenda was Pearl and Vic Ortega’s 40th year of marriage. The celebrants and their guests came bedecked in formal party attire for that special occasion (held in historical San Agustin Church in Intramuros). A rare face that came to the wedding is Ace Dimanlig – former CAFA classmate and notable Filipino landscape architect. Oni immediately asked Ace and his wife to consider October in Milwaukee should they travel this year. 

The affair consisted of the traditional Filipino wedding program including a sumptuous dinner in the convent hall (beside the church). For this reception, the CAFASingers consisting of Dinky, Dero, Alex and Oni came to sing for Pearl, Vic and their guests. After several artists, the CAFAs got to sing their new song –“May Each Day” by Andy W. This song is the celebrants’ theme song. 

Bay Leaf Dinner 

A few weeks after the wedding, Pearl and Vic invited CAFA balikbayans (and locals) for dinner at Bay Leaf Hotel in Intramuros. The feast for the taste buds was great at the top floor resto but the feast for the eyes was just as good at the upper deck open air bar. The Manila City Hall, the Manila Central Post Office, Taft Avenue, the Harbors and the Pasig River was dramatically visible from the deck roof that night. On the deck, the CAFAs were pleasantly surprised to meet another CAFA classmate again; Rosary Benitez was with a group celebrating her aunt’s birthday. Except for a few gray hairs, Rosary looked the same - stately and dignified as ever. 

Art Exhibit Show 

The College of the Holy Spirit is also known for their Fine Arts course. Since it was the centennial year of the college, they decided to hold an art exhibit at the Cultural Center. And guess who are among the organizers (as well as exhibitors)? CAFA’s own Nore and Emy. Nore invited the CAFAs to the exhibit where they partook of the cocktail farre. The CAFAs who came were Dero, Rody, Tong and Rita, Vic and Pearl and Oni. Of course Nore, Didi, Francis and Emi, were there. Cynthia and Alice were also spotted hobnobbing with the high-powered guests at the Exhibit that night. 

Visit to Manila Pad 

Rody’s condo is a Locsin Building in Ermita (Marbella Bldg.). Lindy Locsin as the CAFA knows is a national artist and a design legend. Rody then put the Picar brand of interior on his unit which the CAFAs enjoyed after the Holy Spirit Art show at the Cultural Center. Ever the seasoned host, Rody had fruits, dessert treats and coffee for the gang. Helping him out was Belen and her family. Belen as we know is the Picar’s caretaker for their former Makati Pension House business. The predicatable Alex Villaflor is, well, predictably late. When everyone was already in Rody’s pad, Alex arrived at the Art Show which is now closed. 

Ma. Isabel Baptism 

Isabel is all of four months – the youngest addition to the Moore family. Claire and Alex came over from Singapore to have her baptized in the presence of family and friends last Sunday. The CAFAs naturally qualify under the latter category and where they occupied one big table in the party. CAFAs who came were Tong, Rita, Oni, Bili, Pearl, Vic, Emy, Cynthia and of course, Nore and Didi. Nore’s siblings are extended CAFAs (Lyn and Francis) who were at the CAFA table as well. The party place is located in the Timog area of QC. The place will eventually become a public eatery with a new concept that is still being formalized by the industrious Lyn. The resto is called Renato’s (after Rene) and comes complete with function rooms for business meetings and other cozy gatherings.

See slide show for more photos.

Busy January

Following the Christmas season, American CAFAs (i.e. Nore, Didi, Rody, Tong, Rita and Emy) are seen in town today. Bili herself just arrived from the US. She is taking a break from her required apostolic duties. Considering the amount of time she spends there (3 months out of the last 5 months), Bili is beginning to qualify as a Balikbayan!

Last Sunday, a little party was held in Oni and Bili’s house in Greenmeadows. It was mainly a bienvenida for Bili. Bili had been out for so long that her Villavicencio family was missing her. Another reason was her family’s eagerness to see her first ‘apo’ (son of Lia) for the first time. Sunday being the eve of Oni’s birthday as well, the CAFA balikbayans together with locals Dinky, Milou, Pearl, Vic, Cecille, Dero and Alex also came. 

The main objective of the CAFA get together was to plot out the forthcoming activities of the CAFAs while the balikbayans are in town. Thus, a dinner at Intramuros; an art exhibit opening at the Cultural Center; the baptism of Nore’s apo at Timog; and the excursion to Dagupan and Pangasinan were lined up as the activities for the month of February. 

The Sunday affair was a laughter-filled evening for the CAFAs. Some of the CAFAs brought food and drink as their contribution to the party (bibingka, ice drop, buko pandan, wine, etc.). But since they didn’t know that there would be other guests, there wasn’t enough quantity for all. The problem was solved when the CAFAs were made to assemble in the Dining Room (the other guests were in the yard) while Oni instructed the waiter to discretely serve the CAFA goodies only to the CAFAs! 

Dinky noted that due to the large and spirited CAFA assembly, this Sunday get-together qualifies as a CAFA mini reunion. Since there were other visitors that day, the CAFAs got to sing for them as well. A couple of songs (Cherish and Up and Away) were finely delivered but surely, the latter songs (‘If I Fell’ and ‘Man Come Into Egypt’) were renditions that can only be termed as Alzheimer-style singing. Despite the lack of practice that led to performance miscue, the CAFASingers continue to impress with their Dero- inspired harmony style especially for guests who have never heard the CAFAs. 

Oni’s note: 

In ending, I apologize on missing out on inviting other CAFAs to this sudden affair (Bili just arrive Friday midnight when the Sunday party was formalized). And through all my efforts to forget my age, thanks anyway to everyone who had greeted me (reminded?) a Happy Birthday on the Email. Basta CAFA, I’ll take it from them. Heh heh.


See slide show for more photos.

The Jet Setter

Didi and Nore are in town . . again. Clearly the quintessential jet setters, the couple is making the America-Asia route comonplace  But as often as they come, it’s always a treat to exchange stories (and outrageous ideas) with Didi and Nore. Among the Cafasinger topics discussed that night were the political camps of American friends, the escapades of Didi and other intellectual stuff meant to change the world.

We know that Claire (based in Singapore with hubby Alex) had recently given birth to her second child.  Thrilled at the blessed development, Grandpa and Grandma surely had to rush to there to check out their spanking new grandaughter. (I can’t help but be amused at the thought that Nore goes to Asia and Bili goes to America for the same general purpose – apostolic work!) 

But fast forward to the present.  The Cafa meeting this time was not purely social.  Nore has a Godmother (ninang) who is all of 97 years old.  She is Tita Monsy V. Joven who passed away last Friday. The deceased is a native of Taal Batangas and who also happens to be Bili’s aunt. Inevitably, our first meeting with Nore and Didi for this season was at Tita Monsy's wake in Manila Memorial Park.

From the wake Didi, Nore, Francis, Bili and I went out for dinner. Manila Memorial Park is in Sucat Paranaque and the group tried out the new Max restaurant nearby.  I had not tasted Max Spring chicken  (good to the bones!) in a while and so that dinner proved to be as delightful as the company.

A Wednesday Afternoon in Manhattan

On a sunny day in October, CAFAs met for a get together at the artsy Chelsea neighborhood in NYC . Tong and Rita Salgado drove in from Rockland County. Romy and Rori Ballesteros arrived by train from Connecticut. Oni and Bili Mayo took the subway from the East Side of NY to the West. Eileen Robbins and Nore Lim arrived by bus from their homes also located in the West Side. Of course, the gracious host of the event, Rodi Picar, waited for everyone at the assembly place – Rodi and Howie’s Chelsea apartment. 

The plan was to take lunch at nearby Spice Restaurant and then hang out at Rodi’s apartment. Leave it to Rodi to organized a real culinary and fun event. The Asian fusion menu at Spice Restaurant offered a choice of exotic spicy and not too spice food.  But the antipasta feast at Rodi’s apartment afterwards takes the cake. Not to be outdone by the recent drinking party of the San Francisco 4 (Dyn, Myna, Alice and Ben), the New York 9 showed that they know how to imbibe too. Tong brought special California wine that complemented Rodi’s sumptuous table. See photos. 

The party was capped by delicious Quiche pie and more antipasta and wine before the group broke up at around 7PM. Tong and Rita offered to bring Romi, Rori, Oni and Bili to their destinations (on the East side) in his car. Since Romi and Rori would be the first ones off at Grand Central Station, Tong kidded him that once he is gone, the remaining guys will talk about him. Romy predicted that he knows what the group will say once he and Rori breaks off from the gang. He dead panned: “Ang sasabihin nyo ay napakaswerteng babae talaga ni Rori!” 

Apart from the proposed Milwaukee reunion next year, the gang talked about CAFA guys going to the Philippines around January and February 2013. Rodi and Howie, Rita and Tong, and likely Nore and Didi are planning to be in the Philippines come January. This will be an opportunity to have an early taste of the beach resorts of Rodi and Alex in La Union and Dagupan respectively. It is hoped that some of the West Coast CAFAs can make it too. How about it, Bess? 

Ala eh, tuloy-tuloy baga ang ligaya! 

See slide show for more photos.

San Francisco Birthdays Celebration

By Ben Tuason 

Speaking of lasingan, we (Dynn, Mynna, Alice and Ben) are at Mynna's house celebrating the birthdays of Dynn (Sep 26), Mynna (Sep 25) and Alice (Oct 4). Here since 2 pm. It is now almost 8pm. Walang tigil ang lasingan, kainan, at kuwentuhan. Nagluto si Mynna ng lengua estofado, sinigang na hipon (malalake). Si Dynn gumawa ng ginatang bilu-bilo. Si Alice nagdala ng custard pie and muffins. Ako naman nagdala ng halayang ube, gawa ni Tes na hindi sumama dahil inaway ako, kaya dito ako matutulog kasama ng mga lasengga. Oni, pinag-uusapan ka naman namin. Totoo ba ang mga balita tungkol sa iyo? Nakakakilabot naman.

From the CAFAs, Happy Birthday Dynn, Mynna and Alice!