LAMAAA’s 2009 CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION by Lilibeth Co
LAMAAA members celebrated the Holiday season with much camaraderie and cheer on December 10, 2009 at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Los Angeles (LA). The members enjoyed the breath-taking view of the LA area since the venue was held on the 26th topmost level of the Polaris Room of the said hotel.
The event began with an invocation led by Lilibeth Co of LA Housing Department, followed with a lavish lunch where the crowd veered towards the buffet area, creating multiple lines, as they waited for their share of the wide-array of food displayed.
While the members were very much taking delight in the food and ambience, Linda Granados, the President, welcomed the 85 members from the different Departments. She acknowledged the thirteen Accountants from LA World Airports (LAWA) and Ted Fernandez, the LAMAAA 1st VP from Harbor who came from the Southside, commended the Controller’s Office who garnered the highest number of 21 attendees, and thanked the nine Chief Accountants for their presence and support.
The program was officially opened with a message from Claire Bartels, the Chief Deputy Controller, who highlighted the importance of joining this kind of organization that supports the City’s mission. She further mentioned this season is the time to be compassionate with one another and treat each other as family in order to move forward, as we combat the economic recession being faced by the City and the nation as a whole.
After Claire Bartels’ well-delivered speech came the exciting part of the program! Mr. Ramon Flores of LA World Airports (LAWA), dressed as Elvis Pressley, wowed the crowd when he serenaded everyone with two songs, while mimicking the King of Rock’s dance moves. Much to the delight of everyone Ken Chiu, a Sr. Accountant from LAWA, sang Michael Jackson’s “Heal the World” where the members joined in the singing, waving their hands up in the air. Performers from the Controller’s Office asked everyone to join in dancing to Ricky Martin’s hit song “She Bangs.” Finally, who could ever forget the dance number by the Wonder Girls of the General Services Department, who sashayed to the tune of the chart-topping song “Nobody But You! “
In between these showcase of talents, was the drawing of the raffle winners with Armine Oganesian of the Controller’s Office winning the laptop grand prize. Lidia Lim of ITA and Cora Salao of LAWA won other major prizes, such as digital camera and computer monitor, respectively.
Our LAMAAA Treasurer, Lilia Liclican of Disability Department led the group singing with the song “Have Your Self a Merry Little Christmas.” For the finale, the members headed towards the dance floor to line-dance their hearts and feet away!
Everyone had smiles of contentment while bidding farewell to one another. Everyone admitted they had a good time with friends, co-workers and colleagues. No doubt, Christmas is indeed the happiest season of all.