AFTER a year of attending press conferences and events, interviewing personalities and writing reports, the people behind this printed news you read every morning need a day to fully enjoy themselves, to relax and just have fun together away from the stressful and busy work.
As such, SunStar Cagayan de Oro's editorial, admin and production staff took the time out of their busy schedules to have a day of partying, entertaining themselves with food, karaoke and games.
Deviating from the usual Christmas party in the office, this year's celebration was held at El Salvador Beach Front Resort and Restaurant in El Salvador City, Misamis Oriental, with the place's function room decorated with simple ornaments with a touch of nature.
Anchored on the theme "SunStar goes Bohemian," the employees were dressed in their Boho-themed outfits of browns, whites and greens, showing off their clothes for the judge (or as the host jokingly called them "judgementals") to choose who will be given the title of Best Dressed Male and Female.
The title of Best Dressed Female was given to Crystel Ann Perpetua, from the marketing department, and the Best Dressed Male was Alwen Saliring from the editorial department, who also won the same title during the Governor's Media Party last December 6.
Several games, such as SunStar Got Talent, Sack Race, Bring Me, etc., were also played by the participating employees, with some leaving the audiences in fits of laughter, and the winners as recipients of various prizes. Everyone also found joy and were grateful for the presents they received during the exchange of gifts.
And when it comes to party, it’s almost the norm to see cocktails and other alcoholic drinks being served, especially since most of the employees are drinkers (apart from the writer who preferred to drink softdrinks or water instead).
Of course, this party will not be possible without the support of the sponsors, which includes: Smart, Provincial Capitol, Virginia, FDC, GMA, Cepalco, and Tonight’s Mobile Bar.
"Unta daghan pa nga parties na magkauban ta dinhi tanan," Jennifer Besere, the editor-in-chief of SunStar CDO Superbalita, said during her closing message.
She added that despite what each of the employees is going through, at the end of the day, everyone in SunStar CDO is a family.
Churchill Aguilar, editor-in-chief of SunStar CDO, emphasized the Christmas season's celebration of life, family, and new beginnings, especially that some of the employees were newly hired.
"This year I think is a struggle for a lot of us kay there are a lot of new people. I, for one, is a new guy in SunStar. So murag ang Christmas is welcoming something new and you don't know what it is," Aguilar said.
He also encouraged everyone to work together and give their all, saying that the paper is bringing impact to the lives of the community.
"Bisag asa ta, bisan unsa atong role, ako sa editorial, kami sa English, sa Bisaya, sa production, sa staff, bisan lahi-lahi atong role sa SunStar, if we give our all, then we create not just a product but we are actually forming the community itself," Aguilar said.
"Bisan pag gamay rata, bisag gamay kaayo nang atong papel, dako kaayo na sya og kausaban sa syudad," he added.
"This is a season of joy so I hope you will all continue to be happy in your different lives as we will in our lives as well."