As soon as the sound of drums and cymbals to the beat of Chinese music filled the Primer Star Center Parking Grounds, employees of the Primer Group of Companies (KaPrimers) excitedly flooded the vicinity, painting the open area red, as days of anticipation for the celebration of the new Lunar year and 34th anniversary was met with a truly festive mood last February 6, 2019.
Decorations have been set at the Primer Star Center Parking Grounds. Photo by Marvin de Paz
Chinese music drummers and performers signalled the opening of festivities. Photo by Martin Chavez
Lines for tikoy claiming was electrified with KaPrimers’ enthusiasm in receiving the Chinese New Year traditional cake made from glutinous rice flour. This eagerness was amped up by the ang pao, or red packet, that each KaPrimer wearing red received from the Primer Group of Companies’ Board of Directors (BODs). These ang paos contained either Php50, 34 Primer products (to symbolize Primer’s 34 years), and special prizes.
KaPrimers flock to the venue and anticipate the event’s program. Photo by Arjay Yano, MSD.
Opening the festivities, Managing Director Jerry Sy welcomed KaPrimers and thanked them for heeding their invitation to the celebration and to wear red on that day for good fortune and happiness.
“Maraming salamat sa pagpunta at sa tulong at hard work ninyo. Gong xi fa cai and happy new year, KaPrimers!”
Everybody was in high energy as soon as representatives for the siomai eating contest were drawn. Each contestant brought along their respective teams, who cheered loud for them as they gulfed down up to 10 pieces of siomai within the shortest possible time. Within less than a minute, Adriane Balzomo of the Primer International Management Limited team was hailed “Master Siomai”.
Managing Director Jerry Sy with Siomai-eating Contest Winner Adriane Balzomo
The same level of vibrance filled the venue, as the next 10 representatives from a different set of teams then competed at the siopao eating contest. Contenders raced against each other and against time as they swallowed one siopao almost as large as one plate. In the end, Osmond Chua of Beyond Energy Solutions Technology Inc. earned the title “Siopao King”.
Victory for the Siopa-eating contest winner Osmond Chua
Winners received Php 340, also symbolizing the 34 years of Primer Group in the industry.
With KaPrimers already fired up by the contests, they were further heated up as soon as BODs Jimmy Thai, Thomas Lim, Willy Sy, Jerry Sy, and Johnny Thai- who were wearing pig masks symbolizing the Year of the Pig- opened the WorkPlays for a tour and sneakpeek of the new office building that features fun and modern office facilities, including a videoke/video game room, a yoga room, a cross fit gym, a half court, among many others.
The Board of Directors welcome KaPrimers to the WorkPlays. Photo by Marvin de Paz
KaPrimers anticipate the arrival of lion and dragon dancers inside the WorkPlays. Photo by Robert Nabata
Following KaPrimers inside the WorkPlays are lion and dragon dancers, who frolicked and pranced around and inside the building, as a sign and invitation of good fortune to come.
Lions danced around WorkPlays for good luck and prosperity. Photo by Martin Chavez
Lions dance at the ground floor of the WorkPlays. Photo by Mon Cruz, MSD.
Lions reach for the ang pao hanging at the WorkPlays. Photo by Mon Cruz, MSD
Dragons dance with the lion. Photo by Mon Cruz, MSD
Human Resources, Admin, ICT, and the Millennial Group came together to bring the event to life
KaPrimers in regional offices, stores, Primer Distribution Center, and the new Sucat office also joined the celebration as they also came in red and enjoyed the tikoy.
KaPrimers in UIGPI celebrate Chinese New Year.
KaPrimers from Riverside Nation Distribution Inc.
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KaPrimers and Board of Directors came together at the WorkPlays amphitheater for a photo opportunity– a great way to start the new Lunar year… as ONE PRIMER.
See more photos in our Facebook post here: Primer Group Chinese New Year 2019
#PrimerGroupCNY
Thanks to Fox, Salomon, Sea to Summit, FitFlop, Quiksilver, Roxy, DC, BackJoy, Herschel, PIML, and Brushstrokes for sponsoring the 34 Primer products for the ang pao giveaways.
Text by Mia Lauengco; Photos by Robert Nabata, Marvin de Paz, and Martin Chavez (ICT), Mon Cruz and Arjay Yano (MSD)