The NEDA Regional Office (NRO) XII conducted its annual Year-End Fellowship Celebration with the theme “GRATITUDE is a BLESSING” on December 18, 2014 at The Farm @ Carpenter Hill, Koronadal City.

With SOCCSKSARGENS’s rich history and diverse culture due to its variety of ethnicity and customs, the Year-End Fellowship focused on a broader perspective of the essence of a Christmas party celebration with the active participation of both Christian and non-Christian NRO XII staff, thus making the celebration to a “Fellowship Party”, allowing all of the office staff to freely enjoy in line with one of the region’s aims of UNITY in DIVERSITY.

With SOCCSKSARGENS’s rich history and diverse culture due to its variety of ethnicity and customs, the Year-End Fellowship focused on a broader perspective of the essence of a Christmas party celebration with the active participation of both Christian and non-Christian NRO XII staff, thus making the celebration to a “Fellowship Party”, allowing all of the office staff to freely enjoy in line with one of the region’s aims of UNITY in DIVERSITY.

For his Yuletide message, RD Arturo G. Valero expressed pleasure in the uniqueness of NRO XII’s celebration, it being both fun and a challenge. He also reminded each and every one of the responsibility to give back to others thru the NRO XII’s outreach program to the disadvantaged in the region, especially children in need. In his welcome message, ARD Noel E. Quiratman expressed that the activity is a time for the NEDA XII family to unwind from all the year’s work.

Following last year’s masquerade dress theme, this year’s celebration carried the Hiphop/Rockstar theme. The event opened with the traditional red carpet walk of NRO XII staff in pairs. Sr. EDS Desiree T.Jacinto and Sr. EDS Romeo A. Salac bagged the award for best Rockstar attire for female and male categories, respectively. EDS I Melissa Gabrielle H. Vargas and Sr. EDS Peter Michael M. Babao took the award for the Hiphop category. The celebration also includes parlor games and raffling of prizes. The event was highlighted by the individual team presentations of the employees, recognition of NEDA Awards and Incentives System (NAIS) awardees, and the exchanging of gifts stressing the season of giving and sharing.

The NRO XII IPC team composed of Sr. EDS Eden F. Ridao, Sr. EDS Desiree T. Jacinto, Sr. EDS Peter Michael M. Babao, Sr. EDS Juliet C. Demellites and Supvg. Administrative Officer Lalaine M. Sajelan planned the event which was hosted by EDS I Melissa Gabrielle H. Vargas and EDS I Judd Nichol L. Leonar. The event was considered a big success to wrap up the year 2014. (Judd Nichol Leonar, DRD/NEDA XII)