Meaningful Connections at the DBS Safari Christmas Party

Making meaningful and lasting connections is, for me, the essence of a Christmas party and that was successfully achieved during the Davao Bloggers Society's Safari Night.

It was on a Saturday, the first day of  December, when bloggers from the different parts of Mindanao and special guests gathered at the Grand Men Seng Hotel for a night of thanksgiving, camaraderie and for the awarding of winners of the Davao Blog Awards 2018. After a long hiatus (due to health reasons), I was glad to be with my fellow bloggers again. Being the Christmas season already, I could not resist attending the organization's special safari-themed event. It felt good seeing the old members and meeting the new ones as well.

Bloggers from the SOX Bloggers Society and from Tagum City  as well as representatives of our generous sponsors joined this year's DBS Safari Night making the event more exciting. Big thanks to our co-presentors and sponsors who gave away great prizes for deserving bloggers through a short Q&A game and raffle.

Emman, Nep-C, Kriselle and I dressed in our Safari outfit for the DBS Christmas Party. (Photo by Red Agreda).

While it may be the first time that I saw and rubbed elbows with the other bloggers and some of our sponsors' reps, there was this instant connection that led us to exchange smiles and hellos or start a conversation. It's true that when you're already older (like me who is approaching mid-life), you value these friendly relationships more than the material things. They make life more meaningful.

For the three years that I've been a member of DBS,  attending the group's Christmas parties is a breather for me. It's a great way to connect with like-minded people and share blog-related notes. One blogger that I've become friends with is Emman of www.popdavao.com. A human resource supervisor and lifestyle blogger on the side, he has become my  regular seatmate every Christmas party. In fact, he was my long-lost Prince Charming during our Disney-themed year-end event in 2016. It's because I was dressed in a Snow White costume, that's why. At my age, who would have thought that I'd still dress up as a Disney princess (love ko ang DBS eh). 

The two Snow White and their Prince Charming during the 2015 party. (Photo by Sai Dayanghirang)

Busy with our respective personal and professional lives, Emman and I only get to see each other during the DBS Christmas parties. Regardless, the connection remains and that's what matters in a genuine friendship. And lest I forget, we were both finalists in this year's Davao Blog Awards but in different categories.

With Emman and Jose during the DBS Grand Christmas Ball 2017.

So just being there seated with old and new members of the Davao Bloggers Society and updating each other was the best moment for me during the recent DBS Safari Night. Being the Christmas season, it was a great night to enjoy the spirit of giving as well as the gift of love and friendship. 

And to all the winners of the Davao Blog Awards 2018, a big congratulations. Watch out for my blog post on this soon.