There’s something special about finally seeing people you’ve worked with for months—sometimes years—only through screens.
That’s why this small, intimate get-together meant a lot to me.
There were four of us that night—me and three other guys from work.
We’re the SEO team for our company, and because we all work remotely, we don’t normally get to see each other in person.
In fact, this was the first time this year that we were all together as a group.
No deadlines.
No rankings to check.
Just good food, light drinks, and long conversations.
We decided to meet at Davao Wines, the perfect choice for a night like this.
Loved Catching Up with the Rest of the Guys
What I loved most about the night was how easy the conversations flowed.
Of course, we talked about SEO—because that’s what we do and genuinely enjoy. Algorithm updates, strategies that worked, experiments that didn’t, and the usual “what’s coming next” talk.
But it didn’t stop there.
We also talked about our personal lives.
Family updates.
Life changes.
The kind of conversations that don’t usually fit into a 30-minute online meeting. It reminded me that behind every clean report and well-optimized page is a real person dealing with real life.
We also talked about how good the company we work for is—something you don’t always hear people say, but we genuinely meant it.
There was a shared sentiment that we’re happy where we are and that we intend to stay for the long term.
That kind of loyalty doesn’t come from contracts; it comes from trust, respect, and feeling valued.
At some point, the conversation drifted to our recent Christmas party.
Funny enough, only Andree and I were able to attend that one.
We laughed about it, especially because we both ended up getting high-value SM gift certificates.
Not bad for just showing up.
It was one of those moments where you realize how fortunate you are—not just with work, but with the people you get to work with.
Davao Wines
Davao Wines is one of those spots that feels like a quiet escape right in the middle of the city. If you’re a wine lover, this place really is a wonderland. They have an impressive wine collection from different parts of the world, and you can tell it’s curated with care.
For those not familiar, dugay na ni sila.
They used to be located in Belisario, Lanang.
Back then, the wine and food were already good, but the space was very small—so small that if someone at the next table was a loud talker, you’d hear their entire life story whether you wanted to or not.
Now, they’ve moved to a bigger location, and the difference is night and day.
The New Space is Bigger, Better, and More Relaxing
The current Davao Wines has more space, higher ceilings, comfortable seating, and a layout that lets you actually enjoy private conversations. Booking is highly recommended because tables fill up fast—and honestly, who can blame them?
With subdued lighting, ambient music, and a calm atmosphere, it’s easy to forget the crazy traffic and noise just outside.
You step in, and it’s like the city slows down a bit.
Perfect for long talks and unhurried meals.
We ordered a mix of food that was perfect for sharing.
The all-meat pizza was a clear favorite. Rich, filling, and exactly what you want when you’re planning to stay seated for a while.
The skinny fries were simple but addictive—crispy, well-seasoned, and gone faster than expected.
Nick went big and ordered the tomahawk steak. He shared it with all of us, which made the night feel even more communal. It was cooked well and perfect for slicing up and passing around the table.
As for drinks, we kept it light. We ordered a few low-alcohol content drinks—the kind you can sip while talking without worrying about tomorrow morning.
Nick and I both agreed we’re a bit too old for hard drinks now.
Only Andree went for the stronger ones, which felt about right, since he’s younger and definitely physically bigger than Nick or I.
One thing that stood out that night was how generous everyone felt.
Nick had the most orders, and instead of splitting the bill equally, he volunteered to pay the majority of it and let the rest of us share what was left.
In the end, we all paid roughly for what we ordered individually—which felt fair.
Even though we shared most of the food, no one was keeping score.
It was one of those unspoken moments where everyone was just happy to be there.
Talking About the Future
Somewhere between the pizza slices and the last drinks, we started talking about the future. Specifically, a plan to visit Japan as a group in 2026.
Nothing is set in stone yet, but I genuinely hope it happens. Traveling together would definitely make us stronger as a team—not just as coworkers, but as people who trust and understand each other beyond work tasks and KPIs.
More Than Just a Night Out
That night at Davao Wines reminded me how important human connection is—especially in remote work.
Tools and systems matter, but relationships matter more.
It’s nice belonging to a strong group bonded by the love of the profession and the craft of SEO. Nights like this don’t happen often, which is probably why they mean so much when they do.
Here’s to more years of working together, more shared wins, more conversations outside dashboards, and more nights like this.
Oh and just in case you’re curious, Davao Wines is currently located at P. De Tavera Ave, Corner V. Mapa St, Davao City, 8000 Davao del Sur.
You can check them out here: facebook.com/DavaoWinesPh Highly recommended—not just for the wine, but for the moments you’ll remember long after the glasses are cleared.