Tagged as “Christmas Encounter ’08 You and ME on Christmas Dei” members of the Mater Dei Marriage Encounter Community flocked to the Quezon City Sports Club last Sunday, December 28, 2008 for a party gathering.

The celebration started with the Holy Mass officiated by our Spiritual Director, Fr. Domie Guzman. The community also had a good chance to greet and sing for Fr. Domie whose birthday falls on December 29.

The festive mood came to a pace. We met several “Michael Jacksons” around as the organizers, the Traditional & Special Events Ministry with Chair Couple Nelson Lilian Morales turned the hands of time to Circa 1970.

On the local front, it was the year for popular hosts Tito, Vic and Joey. Their impersonators, Nelson Morales, Frankie Godalle and Tony Pizarro rolled on to Emcee the program for the night.

Highlighted by a dance competition, our Board of Trustees executed a choreographed dance sampling to the delight of the crowd. Who ever imagined that Sam Lulou Asia, LJ Emma Gracia, Stan Bimbo Santos, Pris Vicky Contreras, Tom Marian Co, Rene Cherry Manuel, Lorenz Weng Tabilog, Demet Rose Araniego will dance to the medley of Dancing Queen sans anthritis, hypertension and vascular dysfunction.

The high energy rolled off with the entries to the Dance Competition. Blue Team as the first number in the dance competition had Ryan Veron Venezuela, Tony Joy Geronimo, Jun Ann Cosue, Gay Manalo, Carmen Inocencio, Mai Santos with BOT Team Captains Marian Co and Rose Araniego.

Second was the Yellow Team with Niño Leah Frencillo, Bert Jenny Gregorio, Ariel Conoy Mendoza, Jay Almendral, Rachel Pecson and Merlyn Versoza.

The Green Team had Rey Leth Varilla, Ryck Cres de Paz, Ricky Mafe Lacaba, Mer Mariz Alarma and Pris Vicky Contreras.

Then the Red Team gracefully entered with Hermie Venezuela, Sam Lulou Asia, Ferdie Kris Manguiat, Jon Cristy Nagallo and Lj Emma Garcia.

For that night, we were honored to have Vigie Nelly Ventura, Lony Rhodora Bohol, Fred Miriam Santos and Rene Jo Ignacio, who, in their own right possessed a refined taste for the art of dance, its color, movement and rhythm to sit as Panel of Judges for the Competition.

The following criteria were used : Originality – 25%; Dance Presentation and Performance – 40%; Costume – 25%; and Audience Impact – 10%

Our elders led by Romy Remy Lagman, Lony Rhodora Bohol, Ed Cora Depano and Stan Bimbo Santos did the honors in proclaiming the winners…..

3rd Runner Up - Yellow Team
2nd Runner Up - Red Team
1st Runner Up - Blue Team

Dance Champion - Green Team

As an added feature, the couple who came in aptly clod with the Circa 70s attire was chosen. To enjoy their own encounter for an overnight stay at Holiday Inn as prize, Couple Niño Leah Frencillo of Class 258 won the title “Couple of the Night” !

Take the night away…we enjoyed every moment and we look forward to another year together … PRAISE THE LORD!!!