Night of Mardigras

Only rare moments allow us girls to dress like a princess and walk the red carpet like real VIPs, and this night was reserved for that glamorous affair. It’s the company’s 24th Anniversary Conference and I am pleased to be part of the event held at Makati Shangri-La Hotel with today’s theme Night of Mardigras.

Photoshoot with some colleagues, and that's me!

People in the department were actually comfortable with the theme itself after having a similar mask party back in December. The one thing that kept me occupied from the time announcements were made was the what-to-wear thoughts considering I was with Brazilian group. The two others were Indians and Africans, by the way. I was very lazy to stride every corner of the malls again to get the dress that will fit the occasion so I planned ─ and it did materialize nicely – to recycle the gown I used two years back when I hosted a year-end gathering too, my black Tinkerbelle–inspired semi-balloon black and silver evening dress.

I was very reluctant to put the gown on again. Thoughts like it might not fit my size now and I look sillier today than the first time I wore it scared me. In front of the mirror, as I see my restructured self ─ wearing a bump on my crystal pinned hairdo, showing off my painted cheekbones and reddish lips, and being dressed in this made-to-order apparel – I nearly failed to recognize that it was actually me!

I don’t know how to humbly appreciate what I have become that night, but I just loved seeing myself then. So ladylike, simple but perfectly elegant. Left and right I heard some appreciation too from my colleagues and it all felt overwhelming. Their kind commendation made me carry my garb gracefully.

By order of Mardigras presentation: Africans - 3rd place, Brazilians - 2nd place, Indians - Grand Winner.

It was a night of art too. With the three countries participating in the event, the rest of the crowd gave justice to the Mardigras theme. Brazilians, my group mates, were highly captivating! Dressed in a combination of red, neon green and pink colors, their stage presence was spectacular. The Indian boys and girls, on the other hand, took us to the alluring world of Hindus while the Africans brought the jungle to the city with the natives dancing to an epic ritual song. The presentation in itself was stunning. I could say that it was a very successful event solely from observing our international bosses applauding for the production numbers rendered. We Filipinos are as talented as we are in office when asked to perform on stage.

Although our team ranked after the ultimate winners, the Indians, the night gave me the entertainment I expected. It was fun meeting the people I only know by name in our email communications. And it was pretty satisfying be part of celebrating the company’s another year in the business.

Posted in: fun-tastic,girl thing,workopolis