At The FREEMAN’s annual Christmas party last Friday, Joker showed up—his creepiness nearly upstaged by sexy clowns in polka dots. Some showgirls also saw action, with one channeling her inner “Cruella de Vil” to scare challengers for the coveted “Carnival Queen” title. Joining the cast were the regulars at your nearby circus-carnival—from Chinese acrobats to fashionable versions of Madame Auring.
There were also slightly confused characters, turning the party so much more into a riot. Our big bosses were also there to join in the fun (after recovering, perhaps, from the initial shock at our effort and daring)—our chairman Sir Dodong Gullas and our president Sir Miguel Belmonte who came with their lovely wives. As the year comes to a close, the countdown is also on for this paper’s next most important milestone, The FREEMAN’s 90th anniversary this coming 2009.
****
Themed parties are really the way to go for truly unforgettable holidays. Like the Aboitiz Group of Companies’ annual Christmas party for the media. Their ever high-energy and always themed annual media party had us acting like reality show contestants this time, tackling challenges of the Amazing Race-meets-Survivor-meets-Singing Bee kind. (That Aboitiz actually has resident belters for employees further upped my surprise—Theresa “Ganzo” Sederiosa of corporate communications for the Cebuano favorites, SuperFerry’s Judd Salas and Kate Alconga for the duets, and more.)
Cebuano classics were also the central attraction at the Globe thanksgiving party which also became a night of sing-along. Setting the mood were guest performances by veteran Cebuano songwriter Paul Melendez and singer Gil Maningo. The hotel media parties last week were not to be outdone; as partygoers went in their glittering best at Cebu Parklane, while Marco Polo Plaza flew in Lorenzo, a budding operatic singer from Manila, to provide the entertainment. Newly-crowned Miss Earth 2008 Karla Henry, who used to work at Marco Polo Plaza, also dropped by to greet the media guests as well as extend her “thank you” for the extensive coverage on her big win.