CEBU, Philippines - One balmy December evening, Cebu's media gathered at the brand-new Harold's Hotel in Lahug for the media party hosted by Aboitiz annually.
This year's theme was Trivia Night, and we were encouraged to come in fashionable outfits made of recycled materials to win a prize.
Caroline G. Ballesteros, Assistant Vice President - Branding & Corporate Communications, was the gracious master of ceremonies for the night. After a heartwarming opening prayer of Amazing Grace, the program started with the official turnover of responsibilities for the Group's Chief Reputation Officer - from Sebastian R. Lacson (moving back to VECO) to Susan Valdez. This was followed by the opening remarks of Erramon I. Aboitiz, President and CEO. While Mr. Aboitiz welcomed everyone to their 9th Media Party, he poignantly mentioned that this was also a farewell for the Aboitiz Group's prescence in Cebu, as it was time for them to move headquarters to Manila due to their growing business interests in the capital. He promised, however, that they would visit every December just to party with Cebu's media.
A sumptuous buffet dinner came after, along with nonstop wines & spirits. During the dinner, we were treated to a fun fashion show wherein Aboitiz team leaders & team members modeled stylish outfits made out of recycled tarpaulins and sacks of flour. Then it was time for the anticipated part of any Aboitiz Media Party - the games! Being a Trivia Night, we were grouped per table with an Aboitiz representative (for our table we had legal genius & TF columnist, Joseph T. Gonzales). Each group had to win three rounds of trivia based on music, Broadway & the movies. Luckily enough, our table won P10,000 that night!
All too soon, it was time to end a wonderful evening. We left Harold's with bags of yummy treats personally handed per table by the Aboitizes themselves - Jon Ramon Aboitiz, Roberto Aboitiz, Jimmy Aboitiz, Txabi Aboitiz, Andoni Aboitiz, Iker Aboitz, and Antonio Moraza.
Hasta más ver y Feliz Navidad!