Lunch breaks at work might seem ordinary, but for me and my teammates, they’ve become something I look forward to every day.
It’s more than just eating, it’s about bonding, sharing stories, laughing until our stomachs hurt, and of course, enjoying whatever food we all brought from home.
In our office, we all usually bring our own food. It's kind of our thing. Every lunch break, we gather around my tiny little table—the one that was only meant for one person, but somehow fits four or five of us when it’s time to eat. No one really planned it to be that way, but it naturally became our go-to spot during lunch time.
On this particular day, everyone came in with their own homemade dishes.
Darrel brought his signature "fish sinigang". As soon as he opened it, the smell filled the room, sour and delicious, the kind that makes you crave rice instantly.
Maying, who never disappoints, brought kare-kare, complete with a side of bagoong. It looked so creamy and smelled absolutely delicious.
And Joyce? She brought pinakbet—colorful, healthy, and full of that home-cooked comfort we all miss.
Across the room, our other workmates were also gathered around another table, enjoying their own lunch break. Someone had brought tofu with soy sauce, and before I knew it, they were also calling me over to share.
I couldn’t stop smiling. it ended up with a feast, and thanks to the generosity of people who’ve become more than officemates to me.
We all ate together, squeezed around that small table, teasing one another, sharing stories from work and life, and laughing in between bites. The food was great, but the company? Even better.
Because of today’s training, they gave us chop suey and grilled porkchop, so this is what I had for lunch.
It’s moments like these that remind me why I love where I work. Sure, the deadlines and reports can be stressful, and the tasks sometimes overwhelming—but when you’ve got people around you who make even the simplest moments feel special, it makes all the difference.
I’ve realized that it doesn’t matter how small the space is or how simple the meal might be. What matters is who you’re with, and the kind of connection you build with them. My little office table might be small, but it holds a lot of big memories—of shared meals, kind gestures, and genuine friendship.
I’m grateful for my teammates who always make me feel included. And I’m hoping that this bond we’ve built inside the office only grows stronger outside of it too.