Humility, Simplicity, Joy, these essence of Christmas as mentioned by Father Paolo Pirlo in his Invocation were capsulized in this year’s Virtual Christmas Party. It was a fitting reminder of the image of the very first Christmas, that of a lowly and humble manger where the simple family of Joseph and Mary celebrated with joy the birth of Jesus.

In these extraordinary times when we could not party like we used to do and having missed already some of our colleagues that have passed on ahead of us, the picture of that humble, simple and joyful first Christmas spells a Message of Hope.

Our energetic Secretariat Head, Ms. Mila Azanza aptly thought of HOPE as the theme for this year’s get together. Chairman Baste Quiniones in his welcome address reinforced the message of Hope with his re-assurance that despite the insurmountable challenges being faced with, the club will continue in whatever way possible, to support, to care, to reconnect and bond together especially in a happy season like Christmas.

The messages of the former four (4) Country Chairmen, from Cesar Buenaventura, Oscar Reyes, to Ed Chua and Eli Santiago also elicited in us more inspirations of hope. We only need to count our blessings, to be grateful, to dream and take action for a better tomorrow, make good choices of leaders for our country for the future of our children and the next generation.

Sharing also their words of wisdom and experience were our outgoing Country Chairman Cesar Romero and incoming CE and Chairman Lorelie Quiambao Osial. To quote, Ms. Osial, hope as a strong emotion steers us to find our purpose and work hard to achieve it, to take positive actions of kindness and to regenerate it thru prayer and faith.

Mind you, aren’t all of them awesome and amazing? Our respected Shell leaders then and now were simply there for all of us, patiently waiting for their cue to speak to us LIVE that afternoon. They all deserve our big applause!