Led by LAPC’s Marketing and HR, and Admin Teams, the event began with a three-hour program for games alone, hosted by Malveda Holdings Corp. (MHC)’s Angelica Javier and Christian Palma. An evening Mass proceeded right after, to commemorate the company’s annual Christmas gathering, along with the welcoming of the Advent season. The next program, hosted by LAPC’s Edward Limon and MHC’s Keith Ugale, shone the light on popular LAPC traditions every Christmas season: caroling contests, new employee performances, raffle winners, and the exchange gift giving.

Joint effort for every LEADS employee

With most of the subsidiaries’ employees traveling to Laguna, to call the Snowy Serenades Christmas Caroling contest a fun-filled portion was an understatement. Creativity reigned among the varying contestants per subsidiary whose performance numbers proved to be entertaining. Most engaging of all were Primestocks Chemical Corp. (PCC) and Golden Primestocks Chemical Inc. (GPCI)’s musical performances where the employees incorporated a live music rendition of their number plus their choreography. The 1st runner-up was LEADS Agriventures (LAV), followed by LEADS Animal Health and Natural Solutions (LAHNS) who were named 2nd runner-up.

Another crowd favorite is the company’s Biggest Loser contest, whose participants, which include both “Losers” and “Gainers,” are encouraged to join the campaign and lose or gain as much weight as possible over a 36-week period. The grand prize for the biggest loser team is an all-expense-paid team trip to Boracay and a cash prize. This year, the program was limited to office-based employees only, targeting 40% of LEADS’ overweight and obese population. Team Crave, with members Joel Egula and John Nereus Maniego, won the Biggest Gainer award. Team Ba, with members Reymon Santiago, Jonathan Montecillo, Leobert Cabog, and Jerry Aspiras, won the Biggest Loser award. Both parties are to enjoy a beach trip to be scheduled in 2024.

Naturally, those who were only in attendance at the Kahayag Christmas 2023 were also given the chance to enjoy themselves despite not having joined any major contests: their vibrant and eye-catching attire made them eligible participants at the Best in Costume portion. Dressed in white and silver articles, those who had the most original and attention-grabber outfits were to win cash prizes as well. The Kislap Award for the group was given to Team GGS, who won P5,000 in cash. The team consisted of Glai Pagdanganan, Sheryl Belen, and Gretchen Martin.

On the other hand, the Sidlak and Ningning Awards were given to Rovinado Boniel of Area 812 and Marivic Dayang of LAPC’s Legal Team respectively.

A Meaningful Gathering

What made Kahayag Christmas 2023 special was the fact that every LEADS employee went home with new learnings about being present, either with their family and friends or with their co-workers. The event was a testament to how everyone was committed to making the gathering more special, aside from merely just attending it to say that they adhered to the invitation.

“Dati mga 30 people lang ‘yan, 50 people lang, ang nagc-Christmas Party. For a time, ‘yung mga Christmas Party ng Agri ginagawa lang sa bahay namin ‘yan. So to see the group na ganito na kalaki, napaka-overwhelming,” LEADS Admin Head Catherine Baisas said, adding that LEADS’ success is because of the joint effort from every employee. “It is because we belong to one family. So welcome to the LEADS family, and welcome sa pamilya Malveda.”

For CEO Jofer Malveda, the gathering was a reminder to everyone that no matter the highs and lows posed by 2023 for the company, it’s still something to be proud of.

“[Gusto naming] maparamdam namin sa inyo kung gaano kami ka-thankful and moving forward, kayo ‘yung mag-aangat ng negosyo namin,” he said, adding the wisdom his father, Fernando Malveda, stood by all these years as LEADS’ founder: “Ano man ‘yan, ibigay mo lahat. Kasi saan ka man papunta, may maganda namang mangyayari.” For him, 2023 acted as a personal learning experience, in which he hoped is also the same for every attendee that night, as he believes that “in everything we do, we have to do with all our hearts.”

LEADS President Fernando Malveda echoed what his son said, adding that the essence of Christmas is love, attributing his speech to the previous Mass’ sermon by Rev. Fr. Jorge Seldon Coronado.

“Sabi ni Father kanina, ang tunay na diwa ng Pasko, ay pag-ibig. Pag-ibig hindi sa sarili, kundi pag-ibig sa ating lahat,”

As the year closes to an end last month, the Malveda family has once again proved to everyone that belonging to One Team enshrines a stronger and better One LEADS.