Inklusive's Opening Banquet

March 20, 2023, 7:15 PM - North Link Access Road, Quezon City, Philippines - SM North Edsa The Block - Vikings Luxury Buffet

With a mix of nerves, anticipation, and confidence, Daniel strode into the restaurant, Mr. Santos following closely behind him.

After them, the embarrassed JM and Judy came in next and strode towards a nearby table with vacant seats, hoping to avoid being noticed. Their extra efforts were actually useless though, as no one really noticed them because all attention was already focused on Daniel.

With a subtle gesture, Daniel signaled to JP to begin the program.

Without wasting any time, JP pressed a button on his remote, and the projector screen gracefully lowered down to display the magnificent logo of Inklusive.

The Inklusive logo was a true masterpiece of design. Against a pure white background, a bold and striking letter "I" in black was centered in the middle, radiating power and strength. The word "Inklusive" was written below it in small, lowercase letters in a sleek and modern sans-serif font.

But what truly made the logo stand out was the subtle use of color. The letter "I" was filled with a gradient that shifted from a deep shade of blue at the top to a bright, almost neon green at the bottom. The blue represented the diverse range of people the company aimed to serve, while the green symbolized growth and progress. Together, the colors emphasized the company's commitment to inclusivity, growth, and positive change.

The logo is truly ingenious, capturing the company's philosophy of being cutting-edge, forward-thinking, and committed to diversity and inclusion. It was an image that would be instantly recognizable and inspiring, symbolizing Inklusive's brand and mission in a unique and memorable way.

As JP started his introduction, the room immediately fell into a hush, and the attendees eagerly turned their attention to the projector screen. The anticipation was palpable, and all eyes were fixated on JP, waiting to hear about the new company's vision and goals.

Throughout the presentation, there was a buzz of excitement and interest in the air. Heads nodded in agreement, and murmurs of approval rippled through the crowd. Some people leaned forward in their seats, their eyes glued to the screen, while others jotted down notes, determined not to miss any critical points.

As JP wrapped up his presentation, the audience erupted into enthusiastic applause, their excitement evident in their cheers and whoops of appreciation. Many attendees turned to their seat neighbors, discussing and praising the new company's vision and what they had just heard.

JP then motioned towards Daniel, who stepped forward to the podium, scanning the room before beginning his speech. The audience's anticipation was evident as they waited to hear from the CEO, eager to learn more about the company's future under his leadership.

"Good evening, everyone. It's an absolute honor to be here tonight," Daniel began, his eyes scanning the crowd, "I am thrilled to introduce Inklusive, a creative and advertising company with a vision to reach communities through our unique storytelling approach."

As he spoke, the audience hung on every word, leaning forward in their seats to catch every detail.

"At Inklusive, we believe in the power of stories to bring people together, to create understanding and connection where there was none before. Our team is composed of talented and passionate creatives, committed to crafting narratives that capture the heart and soul of our client's brands."

The crowd murmured in agreement, nodding their heads in approval.

Daniel continued, "Our logo represents the values that we stand for- inclusivity, growth, and positive change. It's a symbol that we hope will resonate with communities here in the Philippines, and even around the world."

As he spoke, Daniel's voice grew more passionate, and his gestures became more animated. "We want to make a difference. We want to use our skills and expertise to help our clients create an impact in the world. And we believe that by telling powerful stories, we can do just that."

The crowd applauded as Daniel stepped down from the podium, a smile of satisfaction can be seen on his face. He could feel the energy in the room, the excitement, and the enthusiasm for what Inklusive could accomplish.

As he made his way back to his seat, he was greeted with handshakes, pats on the back, and congratulations from the people around him.

"Impressive speech, Mr. Abelardo," Mr. Santos said as he took his seat next to him. "I can see why you're the CEO of this new company. You have a gift for inspiring people."

Daniel smiled, feeling grateful for the praise. "Thank you, Mr. Santos. I just hope that we can live up to the expectations we've set for ourselves."

Mr. Santos nodded thoughtfully. "I have no doubt that you will. Inklusive has a bright future ahead of it."

After the presentation, dinner was served, and the attendees mingled with each other, chatting and exchanging business cards. Daniel made his way around the room, shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries with the guests.

"Congratulations on the launch of Inklusive, Daniel," a guest from a rival advertising agency said as he approached him. "I have to admit, your presentation was impressive. I'm looking forward to seeing what your company can do."

"Thank you. It means a lot coming from you," Daniel replied, smiling warmly. "We're excited to get started and make a difference in the industry."

Another guest, a representative from a well-known multinational company, approached Daniel with a glass of champagne. "Cheers to the new kid on the block," he said, clinking his glass against Daniel's.

"Thank you, that's very kind of you," Daniel said, raising his own glass in return. "Here's to creating meaningful stories that inspire and connect people."

The guest nodded, impressed. "I like the sound of that. You've got my attention."

Daniel continued to circulate, enjoying the positive response to Inklusive's launch. He was grateful for the support and encouragement from the guests, and he felt energized by their enthusiasm. It was a promising start for the company, and he was excited to see where they could go from here.

The night had been a success, and the guests had slowly trickled out of the restaurant. Jewel and Lily, the account managers, had managed to secure a couple of appointments to potentially close some accounts. Daniel felt proud of their accomplishment and grateful for the support of his team.

As the party ended and the guests started to leave, Daniel found himself alone with his mom and dad. They congratulated him on a successful event, and he thanked them for their unwavering support throughout his career.

"Congrats anak, we didn't expect you to be able to start your own company at such a young age, and such a big one. We are so proud," Daniel's mom said.

Daniel replied with a smile, "Mom, Dad, this is because you raised me well. If it weren't for your guidance and support, I wouldn't be where I am today."

Tears of joy filled his mother's eyes as she hugged him tightly. "We're so proud of you, son," she said, her voice filled with emotion.

Daniel pulled back and looked at his parents. "And I promise you, once I have some free time, we'll go house hunting. I want to buy you both a house so you won't have to worry about renting anymore."

His parents' eyes widened with surprise and joy, and his dad patted him on the back. "That's very kind of you, son, but you don't have to do that. We're happy as long as you're happy and doing well."

"But I want to do this for you both. You've sacrificed so much for me and my siblings, and I want to repay you in any way I can," Daniel insisted.

Just as he was about to continue speaking, a man in his mid-60s, flanked by a couple of intimidating bodyguards, approached him.

Daniel's heart raced as he recognized the man. It was Mr. Monte Tang, the owner of his previous company, Metro Times TV. A flash of anger appeared on Daniel's face, but he forced a smile and quickly instructed Ellie to take his parents, the other employees, and their family members downstairs to head out first.

"Ellie, can you do me a favor? Please take everyone with you. There are six Ford vans downstairs at the mall entrance. Those are ours. Instruct the drivers to take everyone home. Please leave without me. I'll take care of something," Daniel said, his voice firm.

He then turned to his parents and said, "Mom, Dad, I'll just call you tomorrow. For now, I need to handle something."

Daniel's tone was firm and resolute, unlike anything his newly hired employees had ever heard before. They quickly realized that something serious was happening, so they heeded Daniel's words and left the premises, following Ellie's lead toward the group of vans downstairs. However, Nhicole, who was also a former employee of The Metro Times TV, remained rooted to the spot, ignoring Daniel's insistence that she leave with the others.

Despite his insistence, Daniel had no choice but to allow Nicole to stay. He took a deep breath, gathered his composure, and approached Mr. Tang, who was now only a few steps away.

"Mr. Tang, what brings you here tonight?" Daniel asked, trying to remain calm.