12/07/2026
The Cheering Squad Competition was among the highlights as the KEW Group of Companies Head Office staff took over Gabrielle's Oceanview Resort in San Isidro, Dauis, yesterday, July 11, 2026, for a day that nobody in the office will ever forget.
It felt like watching a mini version of a school intramurals, except the players were the same people who process your leave forms and answer your emails. Teams from different departments jumped, clapped and shouted with all their might, proving that finance staff can chant just as loud as marketing people when there is a trophy on the line.
The whole affair was led by the ever-organized Comptroller, Ms. Luz G. Luna-Enad, CPA, who somehow turned a normal team-building day into a full-blown beach party. Guests arrived at eight in the morning, and the fun did not stop until five in the afternoon.
Of course, no Filipino gathering is complete without food, and this one delivered big time. The roasted pig was the star of the buffet table, sitting proudly beside trays of pancit, grilled meat and rice. But if you ask around, many staff members will tell you that the real champion was the humble boiled banana, locally called nilung-ag na saging, dipped in ginamos. Simple food, yes, but nothing beats it when shared with officemates under a cogon hut roof.
Games were everywhere too, and the noise level alone could be heard in the next barangay. Staff members crawled, laughed and screamed through parlor games that tested balance, teamwork and patience. Some even got competitive over silly contests that involved passing water using spoons to fill up an empty water bottle. Meanwhile, a group of younger staff huddled near the grass, having so much fun taping some TikTok dance watchamacallit, moving their arms and legs in sync while their officemates cheered and clapped from the side.
None of this would have happened without the people working quietly behind the scenes, and they deserve more than just a pat on the back. Fremarie made sure every raffle prize was wrapped, labeled and ready to be won, which is no small feat when you are dealing with excited office staff eyeing kitchen equipment like it is a luxury car. Leica handled the food and the venue, meaning she is personally responsible for that roasted pig and the nilung-ag na saging that everyone keeps talking about. Dondon brought the music and the sound system that kept the energy alive all day, though during the Cheering Squad Competition, the contestants needed none of it because their own lungs were doing all the work. Fe and Donna made sure everyone had a ride to and from the resort, because a team-building event with no transpo plan is just a dream with sunscreen. Lara and Krystel built the games and the program from scratch, and yes, that spoon-and-water bottle relay was their idea, so direct all complaints and sore muscles their way. Jhon Rey and Leila held the microphone the entire day as Masters of Ceremonies, keeping everyone laughing and on schedule, which is basically two full-time jobs rolled into one. And of course, none of this would have left the planning stage without the blessing of the Du Family, especially Wilson U. Du, M.D., CEO and President, who said yes to the whole thing and, in doing so, gave the entire KEW Head Office family a day they will be talking about for a very long time.
The ladies came dressed in colorful Luau outfits, floral prints and flower crowns included, turning the resort into a tropical runway for a few hours. Everyone quickly agreed the outfits made the whole event feel even more festive.
A raffle draw capped the celebration, with kitchen equipment and other exciting prizes given away. Lucky winners walked away smiling, holding boxes almost as big as themselves. There was also a special moment set aside to greet and celebrate the July birthday celebrants, complete with cake and warm hugs from the whole KEW family.
As for the weather, everyone held their breath because Super Typhoon Inday was lurking along the eastern side of the country. But luck was clearly on the side of the KEW Head Office family. The sky stayed mostly cloudy with gentle sunshine peeking through, and not a single drop of rain fell the entire day.
In the end, the gathering was proof that when office staff step away from their desks, they do not just relax, they turn into cheerleaders, dancers, eaters and, most importantly, one big happy family.
