Kilig, laughter, inspiration fill ABS-CBN Christmas Special 2024

With all the challenges, setbacks, and problems that we’d been through that probably brought us to our lowest lows and darkest days this year, it’s truly amazing how we’re able to overcome, stand up anew, and move forward in life. While we tend to easily lose hope once we experience hard-hitting trials, but we’re always reminded that everything will be fine and we will turn out brighter in the end.

And that what ABS-CBN and its pool of talented veteran, seasoned, and rising promising stars wanted to remind every Kapamilya through the “Shine Kapamilya Tulong-TulongNgayong Pasko: The ABS-CBN Christmas Special 2024”, wherein they delivered entertainment and inspiration to everyone through musical numbers and words of encouragement.

The star-studded event, which was held last December 10 at the Araneta Coliseum and was broadcast across ABS-CBN channels both on television and online, was commenced by “nation’s girl group” BINI, who impressed us with their ability to do sign language as they sang their song “Kapit Lang”. They were joined by Kapamilya female actresses Kaila Estrada, Dimples Romana, Angel Aquino, Mylene Dizon, Jolina Magdangal, Nikki Valdez, Iza Calzado, and Agot Isidro.

 After a heartwarming spiel about Christmas being the “proof of God’s unconditional love” and a reminder for us to share the same kind of love to people around us, BINI then surely got everyone to their feet during their performances of “Joy to the World”, “Pantropiko”, and “Salamin, Salamin”.

The whole coliseum turned extra bright when fast-rising artist Maki emerged onstage singing his award-winning song “Dilaw”. He was followed by top Kapamilya loveteam Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano who made us kilig with their duet of “Tingin” by Cup of Joe, then by ultimate hunk heartthrobs and Piolo Pascual and Jericho Rosales as they sang “Habang Buhay” by Zack Tabudlo. Unhappy For You stars and onscreen pair Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto, meanwhile, delighted everyone when they sang Maki’s “Saan?” to one another.

Pinoy Big Brother Gen 11 Big 4 Kai Montinola, Kolette Madelo, Rain Celmar, and Fyang Smith made their debut in the ABS-CBN Christmas Special by charming us with their dance cover of “Touch” by Korean pop group KATSEYE.

James Reid and Darren Espanto surely made the hearts of many melt with their performance of the latter’s greatest hit “Randomantic”, while queens Anne Curtis, Kim Chiu, and Kathryn Bernardo indeed stood out in their shimmering outfits as they took on the stage.

Anne proved that she’s indeed “dyosa” by donning a gold frock that matched the sultry vibe of the song “Moonlit Floor” by BLACKPINK member Lisa. Kim was really ravishing in her silver gown as she and Paulo Avelino made us kilig with their rendition of “RomCom” by Rob Deniel. Kathryn, on the other hand, was smokin’ hot in her shimmering silver attire as she sang “Espresso” by Sabrina Carpenter.

Of course, what’s a Christmas party without the Unkabogable Star, right? This year, she totally amused us anew with her parody of the massively popular “APT” by Rosé and Bruno Mars together with Kalokalike contestant Kent Villarba. It surely delighted a lot of spectators, including ABS-CBN top executives President and CEO Carlo L. Katigbak, Chairman Mark L. Lopez, and Chief Operating Officer for broadcast Cory V. Vidanes.

Vice then performed her newly released track “Rainbow Christmas”, which was followed by the performances of Sharon Cuneta, Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, Martin Nievera, Gary Valenciano, and Ogie Alcasid of popular Pinoy yuletide anthems “Pasko Sa Pinas” and “Tuloy na Tuloy Pa Rin Ang Pasko”.

A huge series of dance showdown using so-called “kalye tunes” happened on the stage of Araneta Coliseum, which was spearheaded by actress-host Maja Salvador, whom many Kapamilyas have surely missed. AC Bonifacio, Gela Atayde, Kyle Echarri, Jackie Gonzaga, Gab Valenciano, Ken San Jose, Andrea Brillantes, and ASAP Dance Sirens Anji Salvacion, Loisa Andalio, and Chie Filomeno then showcased their pangmalakasang dance moves. ABS-CBN’s very own boyband, BGYO, made the ACEs swoon with their performance of “Gigil”.

From one boyband to another, “It’s Showtime” hosts Jhong Hilario and Vhong Navarro led the Streetboys in thrilling the audiences with their production number, wherein they performed the string of dance crazes that they popularized in the 90s and early 2000s. Their set ended with the Kapamilyastar dancers who performed prior to them joining them onstage as they grooved to “Raggamuffin Girl” (with Maja as their muse) and The Hansons “MMMBop”. 

Just when we assumed that they were already done, we were indeed surprised when viral Tiktok dancer Ralp Xyrel Villaruzsuddenly stepped on the stage in his school uniform and made everyone do his dance steps to “Maybe This Time”.

Following the slew of dance numbers, we then witnessed a series of shining collaborations from five pairs of talented singers. OPM icon Bamboo and Sarah Geronimo opened the segment with their haunting performance of “Treading Water”, which was succeeded by Martin Nievera and Morissette Amon’s powerful version of “Die With A Smile”.

Yeng Constantino joined KZ Tandingan in singing the latter’s song “Marupok”, while EZ Mil hyped up the crowd with his song “Panalo” that he performed with Kyle Echarri. Moira Dela Torre then rend a lot of hearts with her evocative performance of her song “Paubaya” alongside Darren Espanto.

The whole venue was filled with tremendous laughter as the “It’s Showtime” family did a comedy skit inspired by Vice’s upcoming movie, “And The Breadwinner Is…”. 

Portraying her character Bambi, the Unkabogable Host made us laugh out loud with her hilarious banters with her co-hosts, just like what they usually do on the noontime show. She also gave the spotlight to Darren by having him sing “Jingle Bells” a la Gary Valenciano, Erik Santos, and Vina Morales.

As she poked fun at Teddy Corpuz, her co-hosts reminded her that he used to be her during Season 1. They also brought up for the umpteenth time the frequent  absence of Anne and her habit of taking pictures and/or videos of her OOTDs every after each episode that she’s present.

The gregarious family further had the audiences laughing boisterously when they played the popular game “Suspek, Suspek”, in which she had to describe some of them. As she bared funny and surprising revelations and never-before-heard stories about them,  Jackie Gonzaga, Kim Chiu, Anne Curtis, Jhong Hilario, and Vhong Navarro also had rib-tickling comebacks on her that really got us so amused. Vice’s spouse Ion Perez then made a special participation as their friendly neighbor.

Their presentation capped off with them singing “Gusto Ko Ikaw Ang Pinakamasaya” altogether and greeting the madlangpeople a “Merry Christmas”.

Jane Oineza, Jane de Leon, Janella Salvador, Anji Salvacion, and Loisa Andalio then set the stage on fire with their fiery and sexy dance showdowns. 

Whether you’re in a relationship or not, these Kapamilya love teams and “for real” pairs probably made you utter “sana all” as they stepped on the stage together and sang some of the OPM lovesongs at present. 

TJ Monterde opened the segment by serenading us with his hit song “Palagi” and was later joined by his wife KZ Tandinganfor a kilig duet.

We truly felt the magic between Francine Diaz and Seth Fedelin with their rendition of “Mahika” by Adie and Janine Berdin, while the pairs KD Estrada and Alexa Ilacad and Kaori Oinuma and Jeremiah Lisbo had their shippers wanting for more as they sang “Uhaw” by Dilaw.

The venue was then filled with deafening shrieks from the shippers of JMFyang, JM-Jas, and JarFyang when PBB Gen 11 ex-housemates Fyang Smith, JM Ibarra, Jas Dudley-Scales, and Jarren Garcia took on the stage together to sing “Paninindigan Kita” by Ben&Ben.

Real life pairs RK Bagatsing and Jane Oineza, as well as Chie Filomeno and Jake Cuenca, endeared us with their renditions of “Lihim” by Arthur Miguel. 

“Best friends” and “High Street” stars Andrea Brillantes and Kyle Echarri were indeed oozing with chemistry in their performance of “Sining” by Dionela. Their characters may always be fighting in “Lavender Fields”, but Jericho Rosales and Janine Gutierrez were lovey-dovey while singing “Pasilyo” by SunKissed Lola.

“How To Spot A Red Flag” lead stars Donny and Belle sang a duet of “Sariling Mundo”, while Linlang headliners Kim Chiu and Paulo Avelino got everyone kilig with their version of “Isang Katulad Mo”—both songs by TJ Monterde.

This portion ended with the Kapamilya loveteams and couples gathering onstage to sing “Palagi” together with its original singers TJ and KZ.

Kapamilya Primetime Queen Judy Ann Santos then delighted us with her presence as she sang, “Bro, Ikaw ang Star ng Pasko”. She was not only there to celebrate with her ABS-CBN family, but to also promote her much-awaited film “Espantaho”.

The part 1 of the ABS-CBN Christmas Special 2024 concluded with a  heartwarming message from Kapamilya executive and actress Charo Santos-Concio and touching performances of inspirational songs from some of the veteran, seasoned, and promising singers of ABS-CBN.

Mr. Pure Energy Gary Valenciano commenced the segment by singing his own song “Kapit Pinoy” and went on to deliver a message about the admirable resiliency and unwavering faith of the Filipinos. It was followed by the soulful renditions of “Huwag Kang Mangamba”, “Ililigtas Ka Niya”, and “Di Ka Nag-iisa” led by Angeline Quinto, Erik Santos, and Regine Velasquez-Alcasid.

Aside from being a star-studded extravaganza, the ABS-CBN Christmas Special 2024 is also a fundraising event that aims to continuously encourage Kapamilyas from different parts of the world to help our countrymen affected by the typhoons that ravaged the country this year.