“’Tis the season to be jolly,” Christmas time is, and it goes without saying that the Yuletide season is a great time for merrymaking. The days leading up to Christmas Day, and the days in between Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve, are filled with occasions of celebration, reunion, and, undoubtedly, libation.
I have had more than my fair share of holiday fare, so to speak. Deck the halls, oh yes, indeed, as invitations came. It was hard to say no so had to keep up as much as possible. No sense in being a Scrooge at Christmas time, right? I, too, would want to spread the Yuletide cheer as much as possible.
Within the MVP Group there were numerous company, division, and department parties. PLDT alone would already fill up your Christmas calendar. But first off, we had the annual MVP Group Media Get-together, organized by the Melody del Rosario, Metro Pacific Investment Corporation’s able Vice-President for Corporate Communications and Public Relations. Last year’s get-together was held at the Bayleaf Hotel in historic Intramuros. Our small way of showing our appreciation to our friends in media.
There was also the annual Christmastime in Cypress slash birthday celebration of Atty. Avelino Cruz a former colleague at the ACCRA Law Offices. Ave who is an accomplished pianist and composer would gather several luminaries in the musical scene to perform . Talents from the legal profession are also tapped . Perhaps it no longer comes as a surprise, but a number of my fellow members of the Bar can belt several good song numbers .
In one Christmastime in Cypress celebration I sang a duet ( All I Ask of You from the Phantom of the Opera ) with no less than world-renowned soprano Rachelle Gerodias. An experience I shall forever cherish. This time, I rendered a solo of an old favorite Christmas tune.
We also had the joint Christmas and wedding anniversary celebration of President Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada and Senator Dr. Loi Ejercito, PSE Chair Titoy and Marilyn Pardo. Present, as always, were my former colleagues, members of President Erap’s Cabinet.
As always the Management Association of the Phils ( MAP) party was filled with fun and camaraderie. Atty Ebot Tan and Peng Perez de Tagle made sure of it. The theme was “ Casino Royale”. That Bond flick brought out the 007 fantasies of the members . I had the distinct pleasure of singing with the glass onion band, led by top businessman Tonyboy Cojuangco ( plays the guitar ) and backed up by former Presidential Management Staff Head Lenny De Jesus .
Other Yuletide gatherings include the Philippines – Qatar Marhaba Night, the post-ASEAN Summit Appreciation Lunch at the MIASCOR In-Flight Catering Facility in honor of Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, and the Japan National Day Reception hosted by my good friend, His Excellency Koji Haneda, Ambassador of Japan to the Philippines.
We had the Christmas celebration of the Philex Group, comprising of Philex Mining Corporation, Silangan Mindanao Mining Company Inc., PXP Energy Inc. and Philex Group Foundation Inc. It was a fun-filled night for all and I was really amazed at the sheer amount of talent that the Philex Group employees had.
Amidst the headiness of revelry, though, there is always time to pause and reflect on the year that has passed and the year that lies ahead – behind the pomp, pageantry, and pyrotechnics of Yuletide celebrations there is the true meaning of Christmas: the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the love and hope and charity that He brings.
It is on this note that I, too, take pause, to welcome you all to a more meaningful and prosperous New Year 2018. May this year hold much hope and promise to all.
Cheers!
