Gaisano employees pay tribute to their boss

What do you give to someone who has everything - good looks, fortune (and all the nice things it can buy), a growing enterprise, and a happy, supportive family? When Mr. Alex S. Gaisano, chief executive officer of the Gaisano chain of stores: Gaisano Main, Gaisano Country Mall, Gaisano Bogo and Gaisano Balamban, celebrated his 56th birthday recently, his employees took him to a world journey - in just one night! Magic? No, through dance.

Mr. Alex claims to be an ordinary man but his dedication to work, the wisdom he exemplifies and his good heart make him an extraordinary man most especially in the eyes of his 1,400 employees. It is no wonder then that they would do everything it takes: pull their resources together, diligently practice the dance steps every night (after work, that is), just so they could give him something special.

On the big night, they all came garbed in dazzling costumes and colorful props. Who would have thought that the fully-made up dancers were the same sales girls, baggers, and cashiers you meet at each Gaisano store? From oil-rich Arabia to mysterious and exotic Carribean. To economic powerhouse Brazil and finally, wild Africa. The employee-dancers successfully made their boss happy and beaming with pride on his special night.

And so did his guests who joined the celeration at the New White Gold House. Among those seen enjoying the performances were the birthday boy's family: mother Anita, wife Dr. Janet and daughters Alyssa & Alexis; his brother Steve & family; sister Rosemarie who shared the table with special guest Valerie Concepcion; and his good friends, among them Rep. Raul del Mar, Robert Go of Princewarehouse Club, and Mr. Edward Hayco.

The Gaisano family was so delighted with the dances that they awarded each group with big cash prizes. The happiest group of all was the Carribean (composed of employees from the Men's Department, Cosmetics, Toiletries, Pharmacy, Appliances, Shoes & Watch) as they went home with a cash prize of P110,000.

The night wouldn't be complete without the boss himself giving honor to his loyal employees. For this year, Mr. Alex gave recognition to 12 employees who have been with the company for 30 years: Francisca Caingles, Alejandra Labustro, Cirilo Quijano, Angelisa Uy, Teresita Kiok, Avelino Tangag, Ernesto Palang, Rose Quimada, Crisanta Montero, Nicolas Daclan, Esterlita Estimizo and Evangeline Guantia.