MM’s Favorite Christmas Party…

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It never fails. For some reason, the favorite party of nearly every Christmas season is the holiday crew party… I keep thinking that “this year we will keep it simple” or “a minimum of fuss and clean-up” but somehow it always turns out bigger than ever. With roughly 45 people last night, this was possibly the largest group of guests we have ever hosted in our home! If you are a long time follower of this blog, you would know how much stuff I probably put the crew through in a given year… between the market forays, odd ingredients, the photo sessions, the meal prep-work, the experimentation, the repeated experimentation, the cooking, the cleaning up, the tasting of good and bad, the healthy and unhealthy, the flowers, etc., there is SIMPLY NO WAY I would be able to maintain this blog without a supporting cast of experienced and loyal crew members. They are definitely, all part of the family. And so are their spouses, and kids who we have watched grow from toddlers to teens, some of them now nearly in college. Other siblings and their kids, crew of friends and family, etc. all get together for the holidays at Chez Marketman & Family… :)

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This year, for the first time ever, Marketman, Mrs. MM and The Teen were the opening act with a spirited rendition of Darren Criss’s Teenage Dream from the television program GLEE. I have two left feet and am probably tone deaf, so this was more self-flagellation than anything else, but if we could embarrass ourselves in front of everyone, we figured the three “teams” or groups that followed would be emboldened to really “let loose”. And that they did. I am ashamed to say that if I were a judge, MM & Family would probably get a 3/10, while the next three groups definitely scored over 5 and above! :) Since I was dancing, no photos of us three performing (unless one of the crew took pictures and I get to borrow them later today). This photo above is of Team 1, a couple and their 3 kids having a go at it, complete with lighted Santa hats.

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Team 2, the “girls team” practiced stealthily and in complete secrecy, and surprised the crowd with their chef uniforms and wild hair. Thinking they would mask their identities this way, some of them danced with more gusto than others. And the chocolate labrador decided to join them at one point, a bit of comic relief.

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Team 3, clearly had been seriously practicing their dance steps. Led by two children of crew members, those are their parents in the back line, trying to keep up with the young ones, gyrating to the music like they were on a stage or something… :) They won the grand cash prize hands down. The other two teams tied for second place. We also had trivia style games complete with buzzers to hit before answering. Do you know what the capital of Biliran province is? Or how old Kris Aquino is? The height of Piolo Pascual? The average number of coconuts produced by a coconut tree in a year? Hahaha. Trust me, I ran out of questions sooner than planned, but made others up on the fly. It was good fun, and EVERY team that participated took home an appliance or similar goody.

Finally, for the immediate MM family crew members, they had other prizes and surprises — think outrageous undergarments, which in retrospect, was more embarrassing to PURCHASE rather than to award, and of course, I did the shopping. So, if any of you spotted Marketman in the intimate section of Landmark the other day, choosing between the pink, purple or red lace undergarments, rest assured they WERE NOT FOR ME. And just to be fair to both genders, I also got the most outrageously cut and colored men’s undergarments as well. Hahahaha. :)

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I was so crazed that I forgot to take photos of the food. We cooked a lot less than we normally do… but managed a large paella a la Marketman, an arroz negro with lots of seafood, two baked lapu-lapu’s, ham, chicken macaroni salad, fruit salad and talong salad in-house. We ordered the rest of the food, including two Zubuchons flown in from Cebu. Pork barbecue on sticks, bangus with bacon, and kalderetang kambing from a vendor at Salcedo Market, ordered the largest bilao of pancit lucban from Buddy’s, and purchased budbud kabog and chocolate cakes. There was easily enough food for 100, which is done on purpose, so everyone would go home with several more meals worth of goodies.

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But of course, what all the kids (young and old, 1 to 65) really look forward to at Christmas parties are the presents. Every single guest, including ones we didn’t plan on but accompanied other guests, ended up with at least 1 present. In the case of those who we work with daily, they went home with sacks that would rival Santa’s! I posted two photos of our Christmas tree “before” and “after” the festivities. The photo up top, filled with presents. And the last photo above, after everyone had gone home. :) What can I say, Marketman still believes in Santa. Seriously. And it will always be that way in our home. So from our family and wonderful crew in Manila and Cebu, we wish all of you and your families wherever you may be in the world, a wonderful Christmas and a Most Prosperous 2011!!!

Other related posts here:

Filipino Office Christmas Parties (Marketman & Family crew in Alona Beach, Bohol)
The Crew’s Christmas Party
Cebu Office Christmas Party

And this, late in from one of the crew’s cameras, a VERY RARE, actually NEVER BEFORE SEEN photo of Marketman, Mrs. MM & The Teen dancing to this song/video. You must play the GLEE video to fully appreciate how outrageous this must have seemed. :)

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Marketman is a well-traveled management consultant who loves buying, cooking and eating good food. Read more »

77 Responses

  1. Having a Christmas party for a group of people who works for anybody is the most beautiful and wonderful thing a boss could do for people and their family who works for them. It means you appreciate them and are thankful for things they do for you. They feel important because they know that you care for them and so they also care for you. So all the success you are having is also a success for them. Christmas is about love and you show it to everybody .MERRY! MERRY! MERRY! CHRISTMAS! TO ALL OF YOU. God Bless You Always

  2. despite all the horrid traffic, crankiness and hassle that christmas brings its the moments when you celebrate the holidays with the people you care about that makes all the difference. merry christmas and a prosperous new year to your family and crew ( and labrador) as well.

  3. Merry Christmas to you MM, the Mrs. and the Teen and to your crew. You get what you sow and in your case your care and love and respect for the people around you will be returned to you a thousand fold. You sow love, you harvest love.

  6. MM, am sure when something is not right, the Boss gets annoyed – this is understandable. But what is more important after the bashing, is the encouragement and the appreciation that follows when somethings gets done right.

    P.S. sana lahat ng mga Boss katulad mo.

  7. I can imagine kung gaano kayo kasaya sa party ninyo. Bless your heart always for being a very good employer. Merry Christmas and a very Happy and Prosperous New Year to all.

  8. thank you for a fantastic year of entries MM! merry Christmas to you and your family and the rest of the MM readers! until next year!!!

  12. Merry Christmas!!! May our good Lord continue to shower you,your family,the crew and all the readers of Marketmanila with more blessings.

  14. i just noticed that ginger also wants to perform with you as shown in the last photo…or she is so ashame of what her master is doing…hehehe

    Merry Christmas to MM family and crew!

  15. Merry Christmas! What a great way to thank your crew for their work over the year.

    May I ask what you put in your fruit salad? The best I’ve had included cream cheese in the mixture. I kept going back for additional spoonfuls (just a spoonful doesn’t add too many extra calories, doncha know!).

  17. Merry Christmas to the MM family (ginger included) and crew!
    May 2011 be as full of achievement and success for you all.

  22. This is such a feel-good post. Thank you for sharing, MM! And Happy Christmas to your family and The Crew again. :)

  27. Merry Christmas to you and your family MM. Reading your post makes me believe that Christmas is also for grown-ups. I am slowly loosing the kid in me that gets excited during this festive season. Now, I give myself another chance that we, adults can also enjoy it like the kids we were. You really inspire me in so many ways! Kudos to you!

  28. yes. loving the red loafers. you should have a like button after each comment MM. like facebook. =) MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR MM, Mrs. MM, the Teen, and the Crew…..

  31. I miss this kind of kaguluhan during the holidays…the caroling and everything that goes with it.

    At any rate, I am putting in my application or sending in my resume, MM should you have a job opening. I will come out of self imposed retirement!

    Merry Christmas to everyone…and Maria Clara…please drop me a note wherever you are and that goes for Footloose and SILLLY LOLO, too! Where are you?

  32. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year MM, Mrs. MM, the Teen, to all the Crew and to my fellow readers. I hope MM continue this blog for many more years so that we can all continue to share our thoughts and learn more things and recipes. God Bless us All!

  36. this is a good blog… sharing joy especially during christmas.
    people, like your crew, are happy working for you because
    you care. you are truly santa claus in flesh and blood!
    merry christmas to you and your family!!!

  37. A well deserve Christmas party for The crew !!! Thank you guys for keeping MM sane to maintain this blog! Merry Christmas to all !!!

  40. I am lost with words,, how i appreciate your love for your crew, Grabe!!! I have seen how other “employers” treat their ” employee, opposite of you ( tipid all the way! )You are a role model to follow, on how we ALL should treat people who help us make our lives easier and comfortable…. who help us in our business, etc. I wish you and your family, good health, peace, love, prosperity for the coming New Year!!!

  42. Merry Christmas Marketman and family and of course the whole crew.

    You have inspired and taught me a lot; just this month alone, I’ve made kare kare and a gingerbread house, And tomorrow will bake a ham, cook baby back ribs, crispy shrimp, make pomelo salad and picked veggies (the shortcut achar way); all inspired by and from your site.

    I have a list of recipes I want to try – the paella, the chicken tagine, soto ayam and a lot lot more – I, and I’m sure the rest of us appreciate your decision to continue with this blog.

    Thanks again for everything!

  43. “Oh, WHAT FUN!!” i see you didn’t really cook THAT much this year…!!!??? define ‘MUCH’..hehe

    Have a blessed Holidays, MM, family and crew. Thank you for the continued posts in this blog.

    oh, and what’s the answer to “average coconuts/ tree” question??

  45. haha! it’s very rare for me to see a family dance together like that (complete with pet labrador)! nakakatuwa ka talaga MM! you don’t see that many dads who are open to ideas like that! Not only are you a model employer but a top tier father as well!

    I Wish you, your family,the crew, the crew’s family and everyone reading Marketmanila the most happiest of Holidays! Keep safe everyone!

    Thanks for everything MM! :)

  46. Merry Christmas to you, your family and staff. You’re good to your staff that’s why they’re loyal to you.

  47. Want to chime in too – blessed and joyful Christmas to MM, family and the crew and Market Manila blogger family. MM, your heart is in the right place!! God bless you

  48. Now this is a REAL Christmas party. Eat, drink, showcase your talent, laugh yourselves silly, give gifts, and have a graduation “style” group photo. Only Pinoys can pull this off. Awesome!!!

  50. While you are into celebrating Christmas eve, we are just preparing the ingredients to be used for our Christmas menu (everything a la MM). To MM, Mrs MM and Teen and to everyone else, let us celebrate the REASON for the season. Wishing you all the joys of Christmas and a blessed 2011!!

    Hi Ms Betty q. I’ve been trying to get in touch with you. Found 2 of your emails from the past posts and used them. Hope none or one of them is not changed. I would like sana to have a copy of your AWARD WINNING CHOCOLATE CAKE and your olive jam. Marami pong salamat at Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon

  53. Merry Christmas MM, and your family and crew as well. Thanks for a year of wonderful, interesting and informative posts. You don’t only entertain and inform me, but you also inspire me to do well, at work or at home. You’re a good man!

  55. Merry Christmas MM, Mrs MM, the Teen and to the Crew…also to all the readers of this blog! i love the red shoes.

  57. Happy Holidays MM, Mrs MM ,Teen and to all the crew.Kudos to all of you, who make this site a wonderful place to go.Thanks!! and everyone a Merry Christmas!!

  60. Merry Christmas MM, family and crew. Thanks for all the informative blogs you posted. Hoping to read more this coming year. My hubby works as a Chef for Costa cruise line and we both love your blogs. God bless you. Happy Holidays !!

  61. This is so heart-warming MM. A Blessed and Merry Christams to you, your family and crew! Thanks once again for sharing!

  62. Merry Christmas to MM, family and crew and to all the readers like me too! Your lot must be so lucky to have you! God Bless :)

  63. This is so heart-warming MM. A Blessed and Merry Christmas to you, your family and crew! Thanks once again for sharing!

  64. wishing you and your loved ones the very best that Christmas has to bring and throughout!!

    Fröhliche Weihnachten und ein gutes Neues Jahr!

  67. Happy holidays to MM, family, and crew and to MM’s readers all over the world. May your hearts overflow with joy in this season of love.

  70. Sounds like one awesome party! You are truly a generous spirit and I am sure a wonderful employer :) I am sure your performance was better then you give yourself credit for, heeheehee :)

    Hope you are having a happy holidays and wishing you a lot more blessing for the coming year!

  71. You are a wonderful boss! May God bless you more as you continue to bless others. Blessed Christmas and New Year to you, Mrs. MM, and the Teen!

  72. Happy holidays to you MM (from Manila this year), your family and all the readers!

    We do the same thing for our combined household staff every year during our Christmas eve/Noche Buena. It was actually started by my late Mom, to include/involve the staff in the family festivities and we have continued that to this day.

    This year’s menu was the boneless ribeye roast (over coals) I brought from Melbourne, mashed potatoes, corn salsa, lechon paksiw (Zubuchon leftovers), rice (of course), Filipino spaghetti for kids and prawn pasta for adults, (the elusive) pork barbeque, pasta with roasted veggies, baked salmon fillet with breadcrumbs and parmesan. Wiped out!

    Then we had a karaoke singing contest (ALWAYS a hit!), newspaper dance, pabitin for the staff then the gift giving…good to be home.

  73. Merry Christmas, MM! May you and your family be abundantly blessed always. You are a blessing to a lot of people!

  75. Happy holidays Marketman and family!!! May the new year bring all of us joy and prosperity always!!!

    Btw, we ordered Zubuchon for a Christmas lunch about 3 weeks ago and everyone loved it! They were also amazed that I managed to get us TWO lechons on such short notice (3 days before the event). Pls extend my warmest regards to your crew in Cebu. Even the Japanese managers loved the Zubuchon.

  76. Larees, glad to hear you enjoyed your Zubuchons! Did you have them shipped to Manila, and may I ask, were they reasonably crisp on the top sections of the skin, considering they had been in transit for several hours? Thanks!

  77. MM, yes I had them shipped to our Makati office. Initially we planned on a whole lechon but the issue of how and who will chop it up came about so I decided to just buy per kilo. I liked that they packed it in styro trays and covered in plastic wrap and boxed up. The skin was crisp even until dinner time (some leftovers were put in the fridge and taken home by some crew). The re-heating instructions were very helpful as well.

    You’re right about the Zubuchon de leche, the skin was not as crisp but everyone appreciated the clean, flavorful meat. I can’t wait for when I’ll have another “excuse” to order a Zubuchon!

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