A People-Centered Christmas Party for Volunteers

After attending several Christmas parties in recent weeks, I felt a growing uneasiness—and a bloated stomach. I knew it was the food. Pork, beef, and chicken dominated the tables. Enjoyable, yes, but undeniably heavy.

Last December 20 offered a refreshing alternative.

At JaimEliza Diner & Store in Baras, Canaman, the Christmas table was filled with ocean-, river-, and plant-based food—light, natural, and energizing. It was proof that celebration need not come at the expense of health, nor indulgence without reflection.

The gathering coincided with Alay kay Boboy commemorating the death anniversary of Boboy, a naval architect and marine engineer who quietly volunteered in the 1990s for poor and neglected street children. Had he lived today, he would likely be an eco-warrior for the oceans he loved.

Around 700 participants joined the day’s activities, which included a commemorative Mass, the Kurit Aki Chess Wiz, and the launch of the MB Mariners Rescue Boat for disaster response—symbolizing a shift from remembrance to concrete blue-green action in the face of the climate crisis.

The Christmas party honored TBM volunteers and partners who have long committed themselves to people-centered development. While live music energized the evening, it was the healthy and thoughtfully prepared food that truly powered the gathering. Even self-confessed carnivores found themselves converted by steamed pompano, tuna ulo-ulo, vegetable-rich salads, tofu, mushrooms, and fresh greens.

True to the Bicolano spirit of bayanihan, food was pooled and contributions were voluntary. Youth groups, women’s organizations, and community partners shared puto, kutsinta, mushroom dishes, torta, and viands. The Department of Agriculture Region V added meaningfully to the celebration by donating vegetable seeds and garden tools—reminding everyone that sustainability begins at home.

A live band rendered songs of Christmas, for Blue-Green development, the ocean, and the environment, keeping spirits high and reinforcing the celebration’s theme.

In Bicol, Christmas parties are not about extravagance but about people—especially volunteers whose work often goes unseen. Food is simple, shared equally, and meant to comfort rather than impress.

Over meals of laing, pinangat, kakanin, and fresh produce, volunteers shared stories of fatigue, small victories, frustrations, and renewed hope.

The table became a space for healing and affirmation.

Most importantly, people-centered Christmas gatherings remember those beyond the venue. Portions are set aside for neighbors, elders, children, and families in need—turning a party into an act of compassion.

In Bicol, a Christmas party succeeds when it reflects the values lived all year: care, inclusion, humility, and shared responsibility. The food matters not because it is abundant, but because it is shared with purpose—and honors the people behind the service.