Significant milestones highlighted the yearend party of Nickel Asia Corporation (NAC) affiliate Cagdianao Mining Corporation (CMC) on December 16, 2019.

With the spirit of giving already dominating the holiday season, the year-end party was made more inspiring with the company’s biggest accomplishments of the year, namely the completion of 51 shipments and bagging the Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Award (PMIEA) in the same year.

Kicking off the yearend party in an entirely unique and special way, regular and seasonal employees were welcomed into the ball with cash gifts and grocery items, while more raffle draw prizes awaited them as they streamed inside the venue.

In his welcome message, Resident Mine Manager Arnilo C. Milaor greeted the yearend party revelers with wishes for a prosperous and productive 2020.

Engr. Milaor also happily relayed the season’s greetings and congratulatory messages from NAC officials, led by President Manuel Antonio G. Zamora and the Chief Operating Officer, Engr. Jose B. Anievas.

The RMM also welcomed NAC-CMC’s partners from various sectors, such as Gaysel Yuipco – Manager of Metrobank Surigao City Branch, Engr. Rebecca A. Santiago from the College of Engineering Sciences and other colleagues from the Caraga State University, as well as the faculty members of St. Paul University Surigao, CMC’s partners in its onsite Mining Engineering course.

“All of us have so many reasons to celebrate. For us, 2019 has been a historical year as we have exceed our annual target and attained the 51 shipments for China, Japan and in Coral Bay Nickel Corporation,” Engr. Milaor said.

Another equally important milestone, he noted, was winning the pinnacle of the mineral industry’s most prestigious award—the PMIEA, where NAC-CMC was also hailed as the Safest Surface Mine and the Overall Safest Mine Operations among all operating mining companies in the country.

CMC's Archie Sierra also won the best surface safety inspector award during the conference, the largest annual gathering of the country's minerals sector.

“This award does not happen without the solid teamwork of the team,” Engr. Milaor pointed out, as he proudly recognized all the departments comprising the NAC- CMC, including the union officers.

Last but not least, he paid homage to the regular and seasonal personnel, with special mention to the operations support group, for their vital contributions to a very successful year.

“Being true to our shared actions and responsibilities, as well as with our partners the contractors and our host and neighboring communities, and with the guidance of our regulatory agencies, we have achieved the greatest milestones so far in the history of Cagdianao Mining Corporation and Nickel Asia Corporation,” he said.

Engineer Milaor, however, reminded NAC-CMC personnel not to rest on their laurels.

“We should be humble and emulate the life of the shepherd, just as Jesus Christ lived. Let us truly keep our feet on the ground, and have faith in our Creator and Savior,” Engr. Milaor added.

Engr. Aloysius C. Diaz, NAC vice president for operations, agreed, saying CMC’s feats in 2019 could not have materialized without everyone pitching in.

“The NAC-CMC team has enthusiastic young engineers and all other departments gave their own crucial contributions to the operations” said Engr. Diaz.

And then the fun began as the second part of the party opened, heralded by the funny performance of comedienne-singer Catherine “Kakai” Bautista.

On top of having everyone in stitches, Kakai impressed the crowd with her repertoire of OPM songs—from the Rak of Aegis to the top hit song of Sarah Geronimo’s “Tala”.

Kakai also served as one of the board of judges in the CMC Got Talent Contest, where the Office of the Resident Mine Manager/Administration bagged the first place, followed by Operations and Technical Services Division, respectively.

And just as the party opened by recognizing the important role of company’s human resources in achieving its goals, it segued midway with honoring loyal employees who have been with the company for many years.