Lolas Are Queens: The Royal Treatment They Deserve This Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a quintessentially American holiday—a time to pause, gather around the table, and reflect on what we are grateful for. But for global teams, the spirit of gratitude transcends borders. While our US clients were preparing for turkey and football, our Philippine team—90% of whom work remotely from home—decided to express their thanks in a different way. We wanted to give back to the community that supports us.

On November 22nd, just one day before our company-wide Meet and Greet, 70 volunteers descended upon the Little Sisters of the Abandoned Elderly – Sta. Teresa Jornet Home in San Juan. Our mission wasn’t just to donate; it was to celebrate. The theme was simple but powerful: “Lolas are Queens.”

A Royal Celebration: “Lolas are Queens”

In the Philippines, turning 18 is celebrated with a “Debut”—a grand coming-of-age party. We decided to recreate that magic for the elderly residents, many of whom may have felt forgotten by society.

We transformed the venue into a pastel-colored ballroom. When the program began, it wasn’t a typical charity visit; it was a Grand March. Our male volunteers acted as escorts, walking the Lolas (Grandmas) down the aisle “Sagala style.” Each Lola received a sash, a crown, and a flower. We wanted to remind them—and the world—that they are royalty.

The festivities included a traditional Harana (serenade), where our talented team members sang Kundiman (classic love songs) to the women. We kept the energy high with three rounds of interactive fun: a “Singing Bee” filled with nostalgic hits, a “Guess the Object” game featuring beloved items from their past, and of course, a spirited game of classic Bingo that brought out everyone’s competitive side!

The Gift of Being Seen

The most powerful moment of the day wasn’t on the schedule. We set up a station to print physical photos of the Lolas during the event.

When we handed them these pictures—capturing them smiling, wearing crowns, and laughing—the reaction was heartbreakingly beautiful. Many of the Lolas stared at their photos for a long time, caressing the paper. Seeing their tears of happiness as they looked at their own smiling faces was a magical reminder of why we do this. It begged the question: When was the last time they held a physical photo of themselves?

United by Purpose: A Team Across Islands

Gratitude is an action, and we wanted to ensure our impact lasted longer than just one afternoon. In addition to stocking their pantry with healthy groceries and medicines, we fulfilled a special request: donating brand new air-conditioning units to ensure the comfort of the Lolas for years to come.

But the biggest impact was on the team itself. Because we are a remote-first company, our employees are scattered across the 7,000+ islands of the Philippines. For this special day, our volunteers didn’t just drive from nearby cities—they flew in from provinces across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. It was a beautiful convergence of dialects and backgrounds, united by a single purpose: to serve.

How We Define a “People-First” Culture

This event was more than volunteering; it was a living definition of what we call a People-First Culture.

To us, “People First” isn’t just a corporate slogan found in an employee handbook. It is the belief that business is human-centric. It means that while technology connects us, humanity drives us. It implies that caring for people extends beyond our clients and our employees—it encompasses the community around us.

By traveling across islands to serve, serenade, and celebrate these Lolas, our team showed that a true People-First culture means ensuring that everyone—especially the most vulnerable among us—feels seen, valued, and loved.

Valoroo is successful because of the talent, dedication, and compassion of our Filipino team. This event was our way of closing the year by honoring the culture that raises such caring people. To the Lolas of Sta. Teresa Jornet Home: Thank you for letting us be a part of your family for a day. You are our inspiration.

As we head into the holiday season, we want to share this story not to boast, but to say thank you to our partners who make this possible. True success allows you to lift others up. From our Valoroo family to yours, we wish you a meaningful season of gratitude.