Rafaelita Pelaez, president of Liceo de Cagayan University, spends most of her time in Cagayan de Oro City where she has multifarious academic duties and business concerns, including building a modern convention center which will soon open.
In Cebu, she has an Italianate villa reminiscent of a Tuscan palazzo. It is on a slope in elegant Maria Luisa Estate Park with one of the most spectacular views of Cebu, its environs, the sea and even the twinkling lights of Bohol on a cloudless night.
“Shooting stars, too,” Rafaelita giggles. She comes to Cebu regularly to enjoy her house, relax in its splendor, contact friends from childhood and keep up with travel companions, like the group that went to Rome last year for the canonization of Pedro Calungsod.
That’s what she did a few days after her birthday, when she asked dear friend Alice Plaza to gather an intimate group at her home “to celebrate friendship.” Alice contacted Café Laguna to draw up a menu, and Teresin Mendezona who laid out a magnificent table with ruby red crystal.
Peach-flavored champagne and delicious canapés were served at the terrace, by the pool, and yes, the stars were all out that night waiting for the cue “to shoot.” The sparkling company began to arrive; Annie Osmeña Aboitiz in strands of ruby beads, Elo Fernan with daughters Marissa and Marget F. Villarica.
More: Margot Osmeña, Nonie Uy with dear friend Shallane, Philip Rodriguez, Café Laguna’s Lita Urbina with daughter Jill Viado. Her son, chef Raqui Urbina, was in the kitchen churning an array for the buffet, the slabs of lamb rating high praise.
The birthday song was sung and there were a number of cakes for dessert. Oche, as Rafaelita is called by family and friends, was aglow with good cheer. Teresin Mendezona couldn’t help asking her who made her blouse.
It seemed spun from the sheerest gossamer. The answer: Lanvin.
Rafaelita has since returned to Cagayan de Oro, and plans to spend the Christmas holidays in Cebu. We forgot to ask her what’s the next cultural offering at her university in the Rodelsa Hall.
That is a veritable cultural center dedicated to the memory of her beloved parents, Rodolfo and Elsa Pelaez, who founded Liceo de Cagayan way back with the vision of providing an affordable institute of learning for the people of northern Mindanao.
Our good friend Benjie Diola stages a number of productions at the Rodelsa Hall.
‘South Pacific’ in Cebu
At the moment, Benjie is in Cebu amid intense rehearsals for the Rodgers and Hammerstein spectacular, “South Pacific,” presented by the St. Francis of Assisi School and its Parents & Teachers Association.
Five performances have been scheduled at the auditorium of Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepcion, alma mater of the ladies who own St. Francis of Assisi School—Teresa Aguas Mercader and Concepcion Aguas d’Aurea.
On Nov. 21 and 22, there will be matinees at 2:15 p.m. and galas at 7:15 p.m. For Saturday, Nov. 23, it is a gala at 7:15 p.m. Tickets are available from the school or an hour before the curtain rises at the gate.
“South Pacific” is set in World War II, in the imaginary island of Tonka, a French territory with a US naval base. The script is based on one of the stories from the book, “Tales of the South Pacific,” by James Michener.
After years playing on Broadway, it was made into a movie in 1958, which did very well at the box office. Rossano Brazzi played the part of French plantation owner Emile de Becque. Mitzi Gaynor was nurse Nellie Forbush, the romantic interest.
The song “Some Enchanted Evening” comes from this musical. So do “Happy Talk” and “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right out of My Head,” as well as the two showstoppers sung by a chorus of brawny seabees: “There Is Nothing Like a Dame” and “Bloody Mary Is the Girl I Love.”
Benjie Diola has gathered quite a cast of talented thespians to act and sing the various roles. Leading them are Fr. Jun Agravante and Michael Lao who alternate as Emile; Sheryl Nacario and Gayle Sinadjan as nurse Nellie.
More: Benedict Diola as Lt. Cable; Gina Mercado as Bloody Mary who entices him to “Bali H’ai”; Ariel Ebrada and Angelica Yap as her daughter Liat; Kenneth Acap as wheeler dealer Luther Billis; Jolu Escaño and Manolet Aguas as Captain Brackett.
Completing the cast as Emile’s children are Rizzi Pumar and Glycel Abatol as Ngana, Edwin Mortalla and Justin Esma as Jerome. They sing “Dites-Mois Pourquoi.”
