2020 is ending on a lighter note, and we at USER Experience Researchers just took the future back into our hands with our Year-End Party (YEP). The memorable fete held on December 18 was probably the most fashionably funky-yet-techie Zoom party in town. No DeLoreans got harmed in this celebration held at the comfort of our own homes. 

Aptly themed “Back to the Future” after the 80s cult favorite, the 2020 USER YEP put front and center our amazing successes this year. Participants logged in to the online bash in their most playful futuristic getup.  

The opening ceremony commenced with welcome remarks by Ma. Christina Orge, HR & Operations Manager, followed by an exciting virtual game hosted by Account Managers Jasmin Lansang and Wenalyn Bulosan. 

A Spectacular Night of Achievements

We were on a roll; we kept our focus on what we have now and what we got ahead: the future. With eyes on the prize, we stood by our mission and vision. USER YEP 2020 was probably the perfect occasion to turnover the laurels and awards, to those who persevered and strived to be the best throughout the year.

Those who stood as models of Unity, Service, Excellence and Responsibility – the four pillars of USER’s credo – became the recipients of the U Awards.

Our CEO Frank Qiu bestowed the honors to the leads and managers who announced the grantees of the awards. Grantees are as follows:

• Unity – Anh Le Van Nguyen (Cap) (Android Developer), enunciated by Tran Thanh Minh (Moon), HR/Admin Manager (VN)
• Service – Santiago Celestial (Team Lead – Video Analysis), led by Jasmin Lansang, Accounts Manager (PH)
• Excellence – Fang Ning Lim (UX Researcher), announced by Manan Mahasyah, Head of UX Solutions (SG)
• Responsibility – Diana Alarcon (Digital Marketing Lead), granted by Hui Jun Ng, Finance and Accounting Head (SG)

Everybody’s Got Something Awesome

There’s no holding back the USER crowd when it comes to showcasing personal talents. In celebration of each individual’s unique (and mostly secret) skills, management organized an online showdown: U Got Talent.

Participants brought the online stage on fire with their thrilling presentations. Three teams vied for the top spot, but in the end, only one emerged victoriously. Taking the crown this year as the U Got Talent champion was Group 2 – PH 2: The Corporate Team. Their creative medley of hit songs and dance moves of the decades brought an electrifying time travel experience.

Along with the showdown poured cool raffle prizes for lucky winners across USER’s international offices. USER played Santa Claus for minor prize winners Jim Palgan, Clarence Descatiar (PH), Moon Tran, Hoang Vo (VN), and Mahasyah Manan (SG). Even luckier were Laird Vidal, Marjorie Romero, and Riza Vasquez (PH) who bagged the YEP 2020’s major and grand prizes, respectively.

Capping the prize train was a special citation for attendees with the most Back to the Future getup: the Stars of the Night award. The spotlight landed on winners Joe Llarves Jr. and Diana Alarcon who wowed everyone with their artistic (and resourceful) cyberpunk look complete with lights and some handcrafted parts. Hui Jun Ng, Finance and Accounting Head, announced these best-dressed participants.

A brighter future ahead

As the year ends, we worked hard and partied even harder at USER YEP 2020. Looking back to our beginnings, sharing the joy of the present, and holding our heads high, we prepare to face tomorrow. It has been a rollercoaster year of events and circumstances for everyone, including us. There might have been struggles, a few bumps on the road, but we paved our path to success sans a time machine.

It’s the year we highlighted amazing feats that brought satisfactory results for our clients worldwide. We showed what a unified team of dedicated achievers could do even amidst a pandemic like COVID-19.

Hearts full of hope and optimism, we’re looking to be on top of the world together at USER. After all, Doc Brown in the movie said it too: “Your future is whatever you make it, so make it a good one.”