In the past years, we’ve arguably found ourselves not only looking forward to ABS-CBN’s Christmas ID, but also to its annual Christmas Special, wherein some of its biggest, brightest, and talented stars converge to treat viewers and fans with vibrant, heartwarming, and remarkable performances as their way of expressing their utmost gratitude for the unwavering love and support they’ve given them in the past year and beyond.

And the ABS-CBN Christmas Special 2022 is indeed not an exception as our favorite Kapamilya artists joined forces to give us a totally memorable spectacle and make us feel that indeed, “Tayo Ang Ligaya ng Isa’t Isa”.

The program was opened by the formidable tandem of Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla, who immediately thrilled us with their adorable duet of “Tuloy Na Tuloy Pa Rin Ang Pasko”. The couple, who were cladded in spotlessly white ensembles, was eventually joined by their 2 Good 2 Be True family cladded in elegant red outfits.

Succeeding them was the Magandang Buhay family led by momshie-hosts Jolina Magdangal-Escueta, Melai Cantiveros-Francisco, and Regine Velasquez-Alcasid. Together with their cute and energetic kiddos Pele, Mela, Stela, and Nate, they amused us with their performance of “ABAKADA ng Pasko”.

Loisa Andalio and Ronnie Alonte also spread kilig vibes as they sang “12 Days of Pinoy Christmas”, and were later on joined by some of their Love In 40 Days family onstage.

Making us sing along to “Pasko Sa Pinas” were Jane de Leon, Joshua Garcia, and Janella Salvador, who were eventually surrounded by their Mars Ravelo’s Darna castmates, as well as the other groups of artists who appeared onstage prior to them.

KathNiel once again made the butterflies in our stomachs aflutter as they delivered their opening spiels, in which they greeted the lead cast of the aforementioned ABS-CBN shows and expressed their gratitude to everyone who supported 2 Good 2 Be True that just ended last November.

It seemed that there’s a temporary ceasefire for the The Iron Heart fam as they took over the stage next, spearheaded by its lead protagonist Richard Gutierrez and his leading lady Sue Ramirez, who sang “Give Love On Christmas Day”. Their co-stars Jake Cuenca and Sofia Andres joined them as they performed “Someday At Christmas”, as well as the rest of their cast, namely, Kyle Echarri, Dimples Romana, DJ Jhai Ho, Karina Bautista, Enzo Pineda, and Louise Abuel. And altogether, they sang “It’s Christmas All Over The World”.

Of course, Richard didn’t miss the opportunity to thank everyone who supported his first-ever Kapamilya teleserye in a leading role, while Sue promised avid viewers that there are surely more exciting happenings that they should watch out for.

From spreading good vibes during lunchtime, the gregarious It’s Showtime fam entertained us with a kantambayan session, which they usually do at the beginning of their every episode. Vice Ganda led the “party-party” with the noontime show’s staff and crew by dancing and singing Madonna’s “Where’s The Party” around the studio and the control area in his neon pink costume.

They truly brought the house down as they assembled onstage, with the girls – comprised by Cianne Dominguez, Ate Girl Jackie, Kim Chiu, and Tyang Amy Perez – belted out “Bang Bang”, while the boys – composed of Jugs Jugueta, Teddy Corpuz, Ogie Alcasid, Ion Perez, and Ryan Bang – performed “She Bangs”.

The Unkabogable Star then invited his “Partners In Crime” co-star Ivana Alawi, who was also cladded in a pink ensemble, to step out the stage to participate in Barangay Showtime’s shenanigans and even challenged her to an “eksaheradang” lip sync battle. Their set capped off with Vice and Ivana encouraging everyone to catch their first-ever film together in theaters beginning this December 25, and with the It’s Showtime fam grooving to the “Ever After” TikTok dance craze.

TV Patrol news anchors Bernadette Sembrano, Karen Davila, and Henry Omaga-Diaz also had a special participation in this musical extravaganza by delivering spiels regarding family reunions this holiday season and their wish for overseas Filipino workers to be given the chance to reunite with their families this year. Just like what happened to our Kapamilyas Archie Briones and Evelyn Mantilla who both worked abroad for quite sometime in order to provide for their respective families.

ABS-CBN paid tribute to them by not only featuring their inspiring stories, but also having Kapamilya singers – Angeline Quinto, Jason Dy, Laine Duran, JM Yusores, Nikki Valdez, Rachelle Alejandro, and Khimo Gumatay – and Koro Jesu, led by Gary Valenciano, sing “Sana Ngayong Pasko” for them. Archie and Evelyn, along with their respective families, graced the stage to sing “Sama-sama Tayo sa Pagsapit ng Pasko”, and then Mr. Pure Energy once again took centerstage to serenade them with his classic song “Babalik Ka Rin.”

We also had a fantastic musical treat from Philippines’ very own Christmas icon Jose Mari Chan, who was introduced by Edward Barber and Robi Domingo in the third gap. He commenced the set by serenading us with “A Christmas Song For You,” which was followed by Ogie and Regine’s duet of “Perfect Christmas”.

The trio of Joshua, Janella, and Jane, as well as of Kaori Oinuma, Jeremiah Lisbo, and JC Alcantara and pair KD Estrada and Alexa Ilacad, sang the legendary OPM singer’s “Let Love Be The Gift.” LoiNie went back onstage to sing “A Wish Upon A Star”.

Aside from these pairs, the exciting team-ups of 2023 were also introduced, namely, Jayda Avanzado and Aljon Mendoza, Ralph Malibunas and Gail Banawis, Kobie Brown and Andi Abaya, Carlo Aquino and Charlie Dizon, Francine Diaz and Seth Fedelin, and Paulo Avelino and Janine. They made us kilig through their duets of “Christmas Anyway”.

Stars of Linlang Kim Chiu, Paulo Avelino, and JM de Guzman, along with “An Inconvenient Love” main actors Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano joined forces to serenade us with “Christmas In Our Hearts.” Jose Mari Chan, Ogie, Regine, and the other loveteams returned onstage and sang the iconic Yuletide song altogether.

As he’s yet to make a teleserye comeback after the success of FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, Kapamilya Primetime King Coco Martin swooned us first with his appearance in the ABS-CBN Christmas Special opposite his newest leading lady Lovi Poe. Their chemistry was indeed palpable while they were singing “Ikaw Ang Aking Mahal”, making us excited about their team-up in “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo.”

The last gap, which put youth empowerment and teachers and students who bring joy to others in the spotlight, was introed by real-life friends Kathryn and Joshua. This portion was filled with vibrant song and dance numbers, starting off with Darren Espanto’s performance of Sam Concepcion’s “Diwata” with Urban Crew.

Andrea Brillantes then mesmerized us by dancing to Sarah Geronimo’s “Dati-Dati” alongside G-Force and drag queens Jomar Mandane a.k.a. “Gigi Moan”, Jan Freddielu Betita a.k.a. “Bloodylyn”, Larry Sabanal a.k.a. “EYYYGatha”, and Adonis C. Creer a.k.a. “Cassey Ping”. This seems to be a little teaser on the TV series she’s going to star in next year, titled “Drag You & Me”.

Pinoy Pop girl group BINI then charmed us with their performance of “Strings”, while their male counterpart BGYO wowed us with their vocal and dancing skills in “Magnet”. Young female artists AC Bonifacio, Francine Diaz, Sheena Belarmino, and Krystal Brimner exhibited their fiercest sides as they grooved to Skusta Clee’s “Karma” together with D’ Grind dancers. Meanwhile, Maymay Entrata set the stage on fire once again as she sang and danced to her latest track “Puede Ba” along with Axis Dancers.

Certainly, an ABS-CBN Christmas Special wouldn’t be complete without a special production number from the gorgeous and talented artists of Star Magic. Spearheaded by Enchong Dee, Inigo Pascual, Maris Racal, Chie Filomeno, Jameson Blake, Jimboy Martin, Vivoree Esclito, Joao Constancia, Kaori Oinuma, Karina Bautista, Reign Parani, Jin Macapagal, Shanaia Gomez, Drey Brown, Maxine Trinidad, Kei Kurosawa, Kurt Mendoza, and Igi Boy Flores surely made us all groove to the dance crazes of 2022.

The first part of the program capped off with a kilig banter between Donny and Belle, and a delightful song number from Kathryn and Daniel, as they performed a duet of “Baby It’s Called Outside”.

Watch for the Part 2 of the ABS-CBN Christmas Special tonight, at 8:30PM, on Kapamilya Channel, A2Z, Kapamilya Online Live, iWantTFC, and TFC.