Melba Gabuya — SON Voice Assistant and Karaoke Contestant
Melba Gabuya — SON Voice Assistant and Karaoke Contestant

The gift to myself

I AM not very much of a partygoer, especially when it is a big crowd. I would always opt for a very intimate celebration of any occasion where I am with my family and closest friends. Hence, for the past 20 years as a faculty in Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) School of Nursing, there were events that I would opt not to attend if it is not required. I will stay at home to read and write; I feel this is a gift to myself.

But last week, I got to enjoy, by heart, the Christmas parties I attended. And this time, I was not forced to join since it was required, or my friends only convinced me to do so. But it was with a joyful heart that I joined the AdDU College faculty Union (CFU), AdDU School of Nursing (SON), and the AdDU Party for all. Whew, it was a 3-day party from December 13,14, and 15, 2022.

The AdDU CFU was fun. I arrived very excitedly as early as 1:00 PM last December 13, 2022. But honestly, I felt the meaning of Christmas during the event as I saw everyone chatting, smiling, and enjoying unity. The games were so engaging and exciting. Most of all, I won a kettle in the raffle for the first time. Thank you to the CFU!

Then December 14, 2022, came, and it was the SON Christmas Party. When I arrived at Conclave Hotel, Buhangin, the decorations filled me with a different joy. I saw flowers, and it was all like in pastel colors. I honestly have felt the camaraderie and spirit of love from each of us. Dean Liza Floresca was very kind in preparing gifts for clinical instructors. I could never find a dean so loving as her.

And finally, last December 15, 2022, the AdDU great Christmas Party. Wow, it is such an unforgettable Christmas Party at the University. After the lockdowns and the pandemic chaos where it was impossible to celebrate face to face, now it was back. I truly enjoyed the presentations of all. Of course, I cannot forget the College entry to the King and Queen of the night competition; I was amazed at how they sang and danced. And the other contestants from grade school to Senior High School, too, are beautiful!

I am sure the College Team would like to thank the awesome, incredible people who helped in the King and Queen production. Sir Lunar Tan Fayloga, President of the College Faculty Club. The energetics, Francis Lloyd Singson, Jade Halilio, Cresilda Calero, Solamite Dizon, and Nancy Joyno. Arvin Mirafuentes - PE Department -Production Staff and Jeffry A. Sauro - PE Department- Backup Dancer. Other groovy dancers were Trisha Isabel Guioguio, Francis Duke Handugan, and Kathlynn Keith J. Abaquita- CWTC; I cannot help but dance as well.

And the transformation of Grace Guitguiten - SON -Female Singer, with her feminine and heartfelt rendition while dishing out the dancing moves to give life to the song One Night Only. I didn't even recognize her; she was so sexy in her attire; what a big change! While Alfredo Javier Jr - SEA - Male Singer with a stellar voice range and strong yet fine timber, like the young James Ingram. Thanks to Melba Irene Gabuya- SON - Voice assistant and Karaoke Contestant, Eddieson Rosales -choreographer; and Radji Dela Cuesta - Makeup Artist.

Oh, with the Christmas Parties I have attended, there were no moments of that feeling of leaving early or escaping the event. I did not notice that time was moving, and this time I wished it did not end. Indeed, being with the AdDU community is a memorable lifetime experience.

And just like every year, I expected to win the first prize in the raffle. I believe that positive thinking makes everything possible. But even then, I missed winning; in my heart, I knew that I won because I had realized that being in AdDU for 20 years is a GIFT to myself, a great price! I guess reading and writing now comes next.

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