Rhumba

The chairman of the board of Texas Instruments has arrived today. We spent the past week preparing for a special presentation for this great man and leader. Many had doubts that he would make it because of the bad weather. Fortunately, his very good pilots were able to safely land his plane despite of the fog and scattered rainshower.


The multi-purpose hall of the Baguio Country Club was tranformed into a cozy party setting. Drapes of white cloth were sprawled from the center to the ends of the ceiling with a centerpiece of shimmering lights. There were landscaping on the corners, colorful lights,and balloons of white and blue were hung everywhere. We were ready to celebrate TI's 75th year with a very special guest.


Buffet dinner started at 7pm. The aroma of good food was lingering all over the place. The open bar served a variety of liquor from wine to rum to beer and cocktails. Everything was going well. A few minutes before the program was to start, we suddently encountered technical difficulties. The laptop for the projector would not work due to some grounding problem. The weather was really bad at the time and we assumed that the strong rain may have affected the wiring. The TIPI president was getting really impatient and frustrated at how things were turning out. The organizers were starting to panic. Last minute changes to the program were made. But like anyone would say, "the show must go on"...

A simple speech from the great leader kicked off the program. Followed by the presentation of the tokens from the TIPI family, the cutting of the cake (this cake by the way had 75 candles to symbolize TI's 75th birthday), then on to the main program. The laptop still did not seem to work so the supposedly finale of the program has now become the "opener". Four members of the QST danced away to "Let's Groove Tonight". I must say that this performance boosted the adrenalin of the guests. Everyone was clapping with happy faces admiring these four leaders of the company. Seeing your big boss up there on stage, dancing away does make a great impact on everybody. Some of the men started to wave scorecards with numbers on the 10's and 100's.

As soon as their performance was done, the laptop suddenly worked. HE surely has HIS ways. The organizers were able to breathe again. The show can now go on. A history of TI was presented in somewhat an entertaining manner. Songs and dances were performed per year from the 1930's to the 21st century. Songs were sung by fellow TIer's and the dances were interpreted by the UB dance troup. Our special participation together with the other members of the QST was set for the 1970's. All made up and dressed in our ballroom attire, we were ready to rhumba away.

Our QST partners set foot on stage and everyone started to whistle and cheer. The ladies enter the stage and the performance begins. We began to dance the rhumba to the song "Save the the last dance". Thankfully i did not fall off the stage due to nervousness. Haha. Each and everyone of us pulled it off pretty well. Numbers of 10's and 100's were being waved in the air again and each guest applauded with glee.

The presentation ended with the TI song. The guests started singing along. After the main program, a small speech from our managing director was delivered. The party continued with some wine and dancing. I have never seen so many managers all in one room dancing the night away. It was fun looking at them away from all the stress and serious work talk. Everyone simply had a really great time.

I have to say the whole dance and song number went really great! Our special guest could not put into words his gratitude and appreciation for the hard work and effort that each and everyone has put into the program. It was a privelege to shake the hand of a great leader!

And so the party ends and i head home thinking of what a great night it turned out to be. Being a part of an occasion like that was really something. I arrive home and was greeted by a surprise. Who would have thought the greatness of the night was over! Haha. There, laying on the living room table, was a beautiful bouquet of roses in an assortment of colors (pink, yellow, orange, peach, and some shades of red). It was sent by someone very special... Someone so far away yet makes me feel that he is just right here... Someone who has been putting a smile on my face these days... My evening has now changed from great to perfect!

To that someone, THANK YOU and see you in my next rhumba! =)