British Airways country manager Philippines seasoned traveler Violy Echevarria, marketing manager Natalie Puey, sales manager Marisa Saavedra, together with SWI president Rosemarie Rafael and the dynamic manager for Visayas and Mindanao Janet Alfafara, all in their unmistakably eye-catching blue and white British Airways jersey jogging outfits, heartily welcomed the smiling guests who were all set to go and even determined to have a blast.
The sporting event began with a big bang when aero kick boxing instructor Jun Ugoc enticed everyone to get up, stretch, loosen up and energize with a 15-minute aerobic session. Before long I heard moans and groans while others grinned and went on with their movements. I am not saying who readily lasted and who only lusted with desire to have survived the inital activity.
Several parlor games, some familiar ones, some never seen nor heard of before, were programmed with exact precision thoughout the evening to everyone’s amusement, entertainment and enjoyment. Amid cheers of come-on-you-can do-it screams and shrieks, howls and hollers, shouts and yells, the participants gave it their all as if an olympic medal was at stake, as if life depended on it. There were prizes and more prizes galore.
In between nibbles of delicious but guaranteed to be healthy pica-picas and generous capsful of the tropical punch concocted with lots of oomph, special awards were given for the best outfits. They included Millette Dejaresco of Universal Holidays, Cebu’s own "Chicago Bulls" Michael Jordan, Karate kid Elena Donato of Wings Travel who incidentally is an honest-to-goodness black belter and Helen Carvajal of Grand Holidays, a tournament caliber of a tennis player.
Noteworthy sports buffs were Wings Travel’s Steve Alfafara in an all blue basketball uniform, Joy Sanico who came as a boxer all fired up complete with fighting gloves and Aida Uy of Fortune Travel very chic and comfortable in her denim shorts and orange top.
The British Airways get together was truly one of a kind. There were no seminars, no workshops. It was an appreciation party packed with camaraderie, laughter and fun. Leave it to the professionals. Do you wonder why British Airways is the world’s favorite airline?