When I first joined this group, I was honestly the new kid in the circle — still adjusting, still observing, and still trying to figure out where I fit in. Then December came, and I discovered one of their yearly traditions: a Christmas dinner gathering that usually happens during the first week of the month.
Apparently, it’s already their seasonal routine. Every year, they either reserve a restaurant or simply walk in somewhere nice for dinner, good conversations, and catching up before the holiday rush fully begins. And this year, for the very first time, I got to be part of it.
We had our Christmas dinner at Scape Skydeck — an outdoor restaurant known for its diverse international cuisine and stunning views overlooking the Mactan Canal. The place was honestly beautiful, especially during sunset. With the city lights slowly appearing as the evening got darker, the atmosphere became even more relaxing and romantic.
We arrived early in the evening, spent time taking photos, appreciating the sunset, and simply enjoying the moment while waiting for the food to be served. And somewhere in the middle of all those conversations, I realized something — when you’re with the right group of people, time moves differently.
You become so locked into the conversations that you completely forget about everything else. One moment you’re casually talking, then suddenly everyone’s bursting into laughter over embarrassing stories, random memories, or harmless spilling session moments. And the funny part? Nobody feels embarrassed anymore because you know you’re surrounded by your people.
I think most of us can relate to that kind of feeling — when the company is so good that you don’t even think about checking your phone. You’re just there, fully present, enjoying every second without realizing how quickly time is passing until someone suddenly mentions the hour.
Eventually, the meals arrived, and we truly enjoyed the food. The dishes were affordable too since most servings were good for sharing between two people or more, which made the dinner even better for group dining.
After dinner came one of the most exciting parts of the night — gift giving. At that time, I honestly didn’t have much, so I only prepared one simple gift for the exchange gift activity. But honestly, exchanging gifts has never really been about how expensive the item is. It’s the thought, the effort, and the simple reminder that someone considered you enough to prepare something for you.
Thankfully, I was genuinely happy with what I received that night, and more than the gifts, I appreciated the experience itself.
