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Cheska B. |
December 23, 2024
If you ask me about my favorite company event, the answer is easy: the Year-End Party. There’s just something about it that makes everyone feel connected, excited, and proud of our collective achievements. By the end of this article, you might find yourself wishing you were part of the fun too.
Every year, the Lexcode Year-End Party is the event we all look forward to. It’s a chance to celebrate all the things we’ve achieved, both big and small, and to eat, drink, and be merry with colleagues who feel more like family. This year was no exception, but let’s just say it was the best one yet!
The Office Gets a Makeover
So, what made this year’s party stand out? For starters, we didn’t have to leave the office for the celebration. Yep, you heard that right! We traded the usual hotel function room for a more intimate affair in our own office at 6780 Ayala Avenue. What changed? Our office underwent a little transformation—the fixed tables became movable ones, which gave us a spacious area for 37 employees to come together, play games, and share a whole lot of laughs. It was cozy, lively, and absolutely perfect for the occasion.
Highlights of the Year
The event opened with a review of the year’s accomplishments. Ms. Andie Bongalosa, our Operations Supervisor, shared highlights from the Local Division, covering the Interpretation, Translation, and Editing teams. While some results fell short of expectations, the staff’s acceptance and optimism stood out.
I had the honor of presenting the milestones of the International Project Management (IPM) and the Digital Innovation and Brand Transformation (DnB) teams under the Collab Division. A special shoutout to IPM for consistently hitting—and exceeding—their targets. What was once PHP 6 million in annual sales just two years ago skyrocketed to an impressive PHP 61 million this year! Meanwhile, DnB wrapped up the second half with a surge of development projects that set the tone for even bigger goals ahead.
The presentations concluded with an inspiring address from our CEO, Mr. Ham, who shared his vision and plans for the coming year. His message was clear: “Survive and thrive together,” as he reminded us, “It’s always darkest before the dawn.”
Games, Laughter, and Friendly Competition
What’s a party without some fun and games? Competitive spirits soared as everyone gave their all as if millions were at stake. One game involved stacking cups with sheets of paper between them and removing the sheets to collapse the stack into a neat tower. Another hilarious challenge required us to place a straw into a bottle—using only our lips! Watching everyone’s faces as they concentrated (and often failed) was pure comedy gold.
The Food: Where Do I Even Begin?
Now, let’s talk about the real star of the show—the food. Prepared by our very own Lexcode Mama, Ms. Annabell Sale, the spread was nothing short of spectacular. From beef caldereta and chicken wings to buttered shrimp, mussels, chop suey, rice, pasta, and the best coffee jelly you’ll ever taste, we were absolutely spoiled. The buttered seafood? Life-changing. We might have gained a few pounds that night, but it was totally worth it. Thank you, Ate Ann, for feeding your 30+ “kids” like royalty. A solid 14/10 for you, one point for every year Lexcode has been rocking it.
Gift Exchange: The Ultimate Surprise (Sort Of)
Of course, what’s Christmas without gift-giving? Everyone left with a gift in hand. On a side note, here’s an honest take on our gift exchange: why do we even need to give a wish list? The surprise is kind of gone when we already know what we’ll get. Instead of thinking, “What gift will I get?” it’s more like, “Who got me as their Monito/Monita?” Well, anyway, it’s still fun to get something you like—just don’t convince yourself you didn’t pick it out yourself. 😉
Showstopping Performances
The performances this year were a treat as well! The teams pulled out all the stops with creative showcases, from Christmas carols to hilarious parodies. Some teams even “offered” their newbies for solo acts—an initiation of sorts that had everyone laughing. The standout performance? A song parody of “12 Days of Christmas,” reimagined as “12 Days of Lexcode,” courtesy of the Design and Marketing teams.
Even our CEO couldn’t resist capturing these moments on video—another addition to his growing memory vault.
Awards, Glory, and the Perfect Ending
Before we wrapped things up, we celebrated the best of the best with awards for game winners, best-dressed individuals, and the top-performing team. Ichan Ison and Bea Aquilizan killed it with their earth-toned outfits, and the Design and Marketing teams took home the crown for best team performance. Well-deserved, you guys!
We ended the evening with a heartwarming video montage filled with holiday greetings and messages from our colleagues. It was the perfect way to wrap up an unforgettable night, leaving everyone feeling warm, festive, and proud to be part of the Lexcode family.
This was my fifth Year-End Party with Lexcode, and each one was unique. While we’ve faced challenges along the way, this event reminds us that what makes Lexcode special is the way we come together to celebrate both our wins and the journey we’ve shared.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Lexcodians!
