For these past couple of years, we have been missing the excitement of celebrating Indonesia’s independence day on August 17 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, that excitement was fired up again in 2022. A variety of competitions were held in almost all parts of the nation. The celebration of the 77th Independence day of the Republic of Indonesia serves as an iconic moment that is celebrated by community members, schools, government institutions, and corporations. And our company, PT PéMad International Transearch (PéMad), did not miss out on the fun.
This year, 2022, PéMad carried out a variety of competitions and games for its employees. These activities took place on 12 August 2022 starting at16:30 WIT in our office at Jl Palem no. 1, Sinduharjo, Ngaglik, Sleman (Kaliurang KM. 9). There were 24 employees who participated in these activities. They were then divided into 4 groups of 6.
We formed these smaller groups to create a stronger sense of togetherness among employees and to enhance their teamwork skills. Other PéMad employees who work remotely or who are WFA (Working from Anywhere), could also tune in to this event via live streaming on our YouTube channel.
The teams’ technical wits were put to a test in unique games, such as eating bananas, guessing pictures, tray balancing, running while wearing a sack and helmet, flour race, and eating quail eggs.
In order to follow health protocols, this event, which was hosted by double Al (Albert and Alwi), required participants to wear masks, wash hands, and maintain a safe distance with each other.
Nonetheless, these health protocols did not dampen the enthusiasm of the participants from giving their best shot in each competition or game. All participants were extremely eager and enthusiastic to reach victory.
After those initial competitions and games, we found that two teams were tied and had the same number of wins. This called for a tie breaker, which was racing using a bakiak (wooden clogs that are joint together).
The clogs used were of special type, they were 2 meters long and each were capable of accommodating 5 people. To win this race, all five members of each time must come together and synchronize their steps to victory. Otherwise, they would stumble and fall, literally.
And the winner is … group three! Despite literally having to go through ups and downs, with their fighting spirit and togetherness, Mas Manto, Mas Ardi, Mba Aya, Mba Ulfah, and Mba Yuyun were able to finish strong and win that final competition.
After such competitions and games, the winners were presented with their trophy and gifts. The other three teams were also given prizes and finally everyone posed together to capture the moment.
The dusk was settling in, and unknowingly, we had come to the end of our celebrations. After sipping a cup of warm ginger, kicking our feet up while enjoying a meal, and having a prayer break, door prizes were then given to lucky participants. The event committee randomly drew numbers and gave out many gifts.
Despite all of the coincidences, such as Mas Manto receiving a headlamp that suits his fishing hobby, and Mas Alwi securing a bag full of his favourite food (or … our favourite food, or the audience’s favourite food, to be exact), the committee can guarantee that they were all indeed coincidences and that the draws were completely fair.
“We hope that this event will bring us even closer together,” said Yuvita Sumaryati (Director of PT PéMad) in her closing remark. “I would like to thank the committee who have worked so hard to prepare everything, from door prizes to food, to instruments and game utilities.
Thanks to you, all of these simple competitions and games that we played turned out to be even more meaningful. Which is very much in line with our theme today, that is ‘Stronger Together’,” added Yuvita at the end of her remark.
The committee members would also like to thank everyone who participated in the “PéMad’s Independence Day Celebrations: Stronger Together” Without your participation, we would not have been able to create such excitement, happiness, and togetherness.
Since we only had little time to prepare for this event and because of our tight schedule, we realize this event still had many flaws. And for that, the committee wishes to extend its sincerest apologies for any mishaps that might have taken place. Until next time, dear colleagues of PéMad. See you at next year’s Independence Day celebration!
Merdeka!
