Keep the Christmas parties coming. For this party, we basked in Christmas cheer in South Forbes Park. It was at the wonderful home of Eddie and Dellie Yap, which they graciously opened for the Johann Strauss Society of the Philippines’ annual Christmas Party. Their home was already brimming with Christmas spirit with all out decor and a gorgeous tree. I didn’t miss the photo op with it. The JSSP members filed in one by one in their season’s best, with ladies in their holiday glam up and the men looking spiffy in their suits.

Together we enjoyed our very own private concert featuring the talented Rachelle Gerodias, piano virtuoso Raul Sunico, and our very own Jianping Xue singing a Chinese folk song and a classic from The Sound of Music.

Inspiring words each from the JSSP vice president Consul of Gambia, JSSP chairman Consul General of Monaco Fortune Ledesma, and JSSP president Olga Severino Martel set the intention for the evening, welcoming every member and reminding us of the true meaning of Christmas — being hopeful, loving, and grateful.

Our guest of honor, Ambassador of Austria Johann Brieger, also shared a heartwarming Christmas message. All their words remind us of our purpose as an organization, and we can take their inspiring words with us beyond the holidays.

We ended the night on a high note, with tons of fun activities and games organized by Fellowship chair Marissa Fenton, and lots of catching up with every table of course! It was a very eventful evening marked by good memories, and even more gifts from thoughtful friends.

See you at the next Christmas party! Cheers!