Rotary Club of Manila Holds Virtual Christmas Party

Christmas is a wonderful time of the year when joy, hope, generosity, goodwill, and fellowship abound, and is one of the most exciting and festive holidays. Despite the challenges brought about by the pandemic, the Rotary Club of Manila decided to organize its first-ever “virtual” Christmas Party last December 10, 2021 via the Zoom platform that re-created the Yuletide atmosphere in digital space. Seventy-five Manila Rotarians were treated to an evening of fun and games as the Fellowship Committee, Chaired by Director Sixto “Noy” Benedicto, left no stone unturned in ensuring a very memorable celebration.

Seasoned millennial hosts Candice Tan and Matthew Ty — both talents from Chinatown TV — gamely warmed the program as they worked on engaging their largely sexagenarian and septuagenarian audience. Apart from virtual games such as the “Word Puzzle,” “Name That Tune,” and “True or False” contests, Manila Rotarians were also tested with their knowledge of RCM history with a multiple-choice competition. Winners were each awarded a cash prize of Php500.00.

Raffle prizes were also up for grabs as eleven lucky winners were awarded gift vouchers from Okada Manila, Puerto Azul Country Club, Bellevue Manila, TRYP by Windham (Manila), the Manila Hotel, the Heritage Hotel, Conrad Manila, BE Resort Manila, Plantation Bay Resort and Spa, JPark Resort Island, and Bellevue Bohol. Ten Kurobuta Gift Packs were also won by various Rotarians who promptly received their prizes as they were especially delivered door-to-door fresh from Lipa, Batangas. Two grand cash prizes of Php5,000.00 each were won by Past Presidents Ebot Tan and Frank Evaristo that evening.

Actress and singer Carla Guevara-Laforteza (daughter of Past President Boy Guevara), as well as Silk Band member Faye Danica Abadicio-Esguerra (daughter-in-law of President-Elect/Past Vice President Hermie Esguerra) enthralled the audience with their rendition of Christmas songs and classic hits; while Atty. Edward Chico tickled the funny bones of the virtual participants with his engaging parodies and impersonations of key political figures. As a bonus, each Rotarian who registered in the Christmas fellowship were given a sumptuous hot food box from Wowo’s Kitchen which were individually delivered to their respective homes.

Kudos to the Fellowship Committee led by Director Noy Benedicto, as well as STAR Rotarians Michael Jaey Albaña, Teddy Tee Jr., Joel Talampas and Raoul Creencia, as well as to our generous sponsors, President Chito Zaldarriaga, President-Elect/Past Vice President Hermie Esguerra, STAR Rotarian Paco Magsaysay, and, of course, to Director Noy Benedicto, without whom the first virtual RCM Christmas fellowship would not have been as successful.

Virtual Christmas Party 2021 Raffle Winners and Sponsors List