To mark the end of 2024, Staff Domain hosted Grand Noir, a night of elegance and glamour. This year, the company kept the year-end party’s luxurious tones but decided to pay homage to the beauty and strength of Filipino culture in the form of Sinagtala.
Hosted in the beautifully fragile Glass Garden in Pasig City, the night-long celebration kicked off under the light of the stars.
In Full Splendour
Sinagtala was comprised of the Filipino words sinag, meaning “ray of light,” and tala, meaning “star,” a theme designed to be a “symphony of Filipino grandeur.” Embodying the concept down to the last pearl-encrusted button, guests arrived at the venue in their finest Filipinianas and Barong Tagalogs, each piece a display of the marriage between timeless tradition and stunning modernity. Referring to the ensembles on display that evening as grand would have been a severe understatement and a discredit to those who clearly prepared for the occasion.
To properly recognise their effort, upon entering, guests were promptly welcomed by a red carpet and a flurry of photographers ready to capture the moment. A vintage photobooth and a 360-video booth were also available on-site to give everyone more options to preserve their stunning looks for the evening as a lasting keepsake.
Special Guests, Grand Entrances
Among those who attended were, of course, Staff Domain’s leadership team and employees, both onsite and work-from-home personnel, with some attendees literally going the extra mile by flying in from Cebu and Pampanga.
The guest list also included some of the company’s valued partners—international clients who made time to take part in the festivities and enjoy Filipino entertainment and hospitality. Naturally, the dress code applied to all, so each representative proudly wore their very own Filipinanas and Barong Tagalogs to the grand affair, a fond moment that was captured on camera when the honoured guests were asked to step onto the stage to be recognised.
Performances That Lit Up the Night
As a night of celebration, the program was packed with performances. Starting off strong with local talent Tunog Rizalia Rondalla, the ensemble of young musicians and their conductor took to the stage to serenade guests with rondalla music. Played on traditional instruments such as the bandurria, gitara, and doble bajo, the old yet timeless folk genre originated in Spain but was quickly adapted to reflect Filipino identity. Guests were able to enjoy their delicious dinner of Filipino favourites, such as cheesy kaldereta and buko pandan jelly, to the soothing sounds of a classic local symphony.
Their brief concert was followed by Ajie, one of Staff Domain’s very own Customer Success Partners, with her incredible rendition of the popular song “Never Enough” from the film The Greatest Showman. Remarkably, her performance was so well-received that the audience called for an unplanned encore, which Ajie delivered flawlessly.
Ajie later returned to the stage, but this time, as director of the chorale comprised of staff from the company’s own internal departments. Together, they performed a medley of Filipino Christmas songs that gave the audience, especially the honoured international visitors, a glimpse of what the Philippine holiday season is like.
Finally, for an explosive finale, the Dance Domain dance troupe went on stage for their Christmas tunes and Filipino Pop-inspired number. Also comprised of Staff Domain’s internal talent, the crew moved, jumped, and body-rolled their hearts out for one last go at entertaining the crowd, earning much-deserved applause at the end of their electric performance.
Awards & Recognitions
With year-end parties come year-end recognitions, and rightfully so. Staff Domain’s Sinagtala was no different. Peppered across the program were moments dedicated to honouring individuals from both internal and client-facing teams alike for their exceptional service.
The awards began with the winners of the Lifestyle 180 challenge. Commenced in January of this year, the program’s participants dedicated themselves to the pursuit of achieving their wellness and fitness aspirations, their progress closely monitored by Staff Domain’s partner coaches. Once the challenge came to an end, the same experts evaluated each candidate’s success and chose the following winners:
- Chad Rafael & Ma. Eliza – 1st place
- Marconi & May Ann – 2nd place
- Marlo & Jocelyn – 3rd place
Next came the Value Creator Award. Granted to those who consistently go above and beyond, the award recognised individuals who created real, measurable value for the company, its clients, and its people. Awarded for their incredible impact were:
- Ailen – Real Estate Virtual Assistant
- Jen Jen – Accounts Officer
- Sean – Customer Support Specialist
- Jennifer – Operations/Admin Support
- Cyril Ann – Senior Tax Accountant
- Danielle Genyne – Customer Service Representative
- Genabelle – Reporting Analyst
- Jayson – Facilities Lead
- Leila Lois – HR Associate
- Mary Grace – Client Success Partner
The Service Loyalty Award, as the name suggests, honoured loyalty, commitment, and years of tireless, dedicated service that helped shape Staff Domain to what it is today. The awardees were:
- Andrea – Transaction & Audit Specialist
- Xyra – Senior Accountant
- Jonathan – Creative Media Lead
- Jev Ezrah Mari – Data Analyst
- Maria Rojanie – Office Manager
With everyone putting in the time and effort to prepare for the glamorous gala, Staff Domain thought it appropriate to recognise the ones who truly stood out from the evening’s sea of stars. The judges had a difficult time determining the winners, but eventually, the titles of Lakan ng Dangal (Nobleman of Honour) and Lakambini ng Kariktan (Muse of Allure) were respectively given to:
- Michael – Credit Underwriter & Loan Processing Associate
- Edylyn – Customer Service Representative
Finally came the LEFRO Award, an honour given to those who represent Staff Domain’s five core values:
- L – Listen actively to ensure understanding
- E – Embrace every growth opportunity to help kick goals, not just tick boxes
- F – Find a way always, and stay solution-focused
- R – Respect people, time, views, expectations, and deadlines
- O – Open communication that is timely, honest, and ready for feedback
At Staff Domain Philippines, this award is given out quarterly. Candidates are nominated, evaluated, and then selected, with each value having its own winner. Every year, an individual is selected among the quarterly winners, someone who best represents and embodies not one, but all the LEFRO values. For 2025, the honour belonged to Jay, a mechanical drafter for one of our esteemed clients, whose work and actions reflected the pursuit of dedication and excellence that Staff Domain strongly values.
After having their time in the spotlight and having their photos taken with their plaques and certificates, each recipient for every award and category received a corresponding cash prize, a pleasant surprise that the deserving individuals were thrilled and grateful to accept.
When Stars Align (for the Grand Raffle Draw)
No year-end party is complete without a raffle!
This year’s prizes remained as enticing as the year before—if not more—with the options ranging from kitchen appliances to spa tickets, gift certificates, buffet passes, luxury goods, and even vacation leave credits for the next year, which had everyone clamouring to both the event’s hosts and the high heavens for their name to be called.
As fantastic as that selection was, the highlight of the evening’s raffle was the holiday destinations that were reserved for the last draw. In the end, these lucky few secured plane tickets, accommodations, and more:
- Marc – a trip to Universal Studios Singapore for 2 (3 days & 2 nights)
- Lanie – a trip to El Nido, Palawan for 2 (3 days & 2 nights)
- Nicolas – a staycation at Solaire North (with P5,000 worth of dining credit)
The Last Glow of Sinagtala
After a full program of fun, excitement, and entertainment, the program officially came to an end. The festivities, however, did not, and at the hosts’ signal, the DJ came on stage to set the mood for Sinagtala’s after-party. Leaders, staff, and clients alike were able to eat, drink, and be merry long into the night.
Finally, as the lights dimmed over the Glass Garden and the final notes of celebration settled into memory, Sinagtala stood as a radiant testament to what makes Staff Domain exceptional. The year-end party was a tribute to culture and to community, a reflection of the growth and resilience displayed by everyone part of the organisation. With spirits high and hearts full, all in attendance stepped into the night carrying not just the joy of the celebration but the promise of an even brighter year ahead.
