One can't really make people do awesome things. One can only create the right environment; and the people take care of the rest. . .
The managers and staff of our firm are subjected yearly to a mandatory team building event, where we are grouped into colors, have to think up a group name, have to make a group cheer, have to make a creative presentation, have to purchase an exchange gift, and are given all other kinds of delightful requirements.
I gave my group the name "Green Phlegms" but then had to change it (for the better) to "Green Minds" when the organizing committee weren't too happy with the original name. I thought that we were simply showing that we had a sense of humor.
The event was in a sprawling resort in Tagaytay. Though I thought that our team gelled together quite well, we came in dead last after all the points from the games were tallied. A couple of us were also quite pissed that some members of other teams were quite obnoxious about winning something like a sack race. I felt fully redeemed however when our Glee-inspired song and dance number won during 'show time' in the evenings socials. (Aside: who would have guessed that I had an officemate who'd give Myx VJ's a run for their money. . )
The most fun part of the night started however after the partners and some less fun folk had left for bed. Armed with a laptop containing dance music tracks and a karaoke machine, plus more than enough beer, we started a series of epic party games. We played a modified statue dance where someone would laugh at your face while one's frozen. We also did those line up games where we had to organize ourselves by the number of girlfriends or boyfriends we each had.
The best game however was musical chairs where the competitiveness was of a different level. I still remember a colleague's face planted on the seat of a chair as she literally dove her way towards winning the game's prize -- 100 pesos gift certificate for Starbucks.
The next morning, there was enough good will leftover that we explored the resort's obstacle course and grounds and took enough cheesy photos to fill an album.
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Saturday afternoon was the wedding of a good friend, mountaineer and sporting buddy, JV, to Dennis, also a friend, but someone regarded as more on the fashionable and cultured side (not saying that JV is a lightweight but anyway). The ceremony and reception was in Wanakasa Farm, which sounds like some grass growing on a plot, but really is more like a Balinese inspired house with two wings, interior design enough for a good magazine, and an infinity pool at the back just next to a cliff.
The wedding had great food (and i'm not just saying this), the atmosphere was warm yet elegant, but most importantly, it was a real joy seeing JV and Dennis really enjoy each other as a newly married couple. JV kept on smiling and laughing and Dennis kept on giving people hugs.
Our table was a hoot thanks to Elmer, Raymond, Hazel, Lui, Nel, Suwann and Joseph.
* * *
The Benedicto Siblings had space in Cubao X for two afternoon-evenings to sell furniture, pillows, totes, and t-shirts that they had designed themselves. They also had art on notebooks, cards and paper; a selection of books and music; skateboards and pre-owned bicycles.
Mic showed me how to use the CD mixer so that I felt like a DJ . . .still wearing clothes from a wedding reception earlier in the day. Bob told me that he was thankful that he had moved into Cubao, and the artistic and creative community that he had thus gotten more exposure to. I stayed with them til they closed down for the early morning.
* * *
Sunday was the annual Abrera reunion. This year it was Auntie Willie who hosted in Alabang. The turn out wasn't so big this year, but it was good still meeting those who had turned up. The Palawan Gang (Nonoy + the Joses who had come along); the Melquiades side -- including Uncle Jess who just wouldn't shut up (in a good way). Great to meet cousins who were much older, and nephews and nieces who really should just be our cousins. Kel and I put up a forgettable song number (Israel something's version of Over the Rainbow).
The evening's highlight though, I thought, was the Trivia Night bit that Pinky had thought up and done for the whole family. Awesome. How many of you have trivia during your family reunions?!? Maybe it isn't so uncommon, but it was the first time it happened in ours, and it wasn't generated by me. :)
Before we went home, Pinky showed us the most heartwarming thing. A piece of paper had the trivia question written by her son Paco: who are the favorite Abrera family member's of Paco in tonight's reunion? Answer: Kel and Fabian.
Apparently, Kel had been told by Paco earlier in the night that we were his favorites.
Perfect way to end the weekend.
