The celebration and spirit of bayanihan continue in the second part of the “Shine Kapamilya Tulong-Tulong Ngayong Pasko: The ABS-CBN Christmas Special 2024” aired on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, and A2Z on Sunday, December 15.
We, Filipinos, have been known for our world-talents and being among the best of the best in the world. Among the living proofs of it are several of our favorite Kapamilya artists who, in recent years, captured the international scene with their talent and beauty. And as a way of honoring them for becoming global sensations, seven homegrown Kapamilya stars were given their spotlight in the star-studded event held at the Araneta Coliseum last December 10.
Commencing the segment was Kim Chiu, who unleashed the inner Korean pop idol in her through her ravishing performance of BLACKPINK Jennie’s “Mantra”. She received the “Outstanding Asian Star” recognition from the Seoul International Drama Awards 2024. Belle Mariano, who is the first-ever Filipina recipient of the said award from the same award-giving body, also gave us a delightful dance number to Chappell Roan’s “HOT TO GO!”
“Dahil Sa ‘Yo” hitmaker Iñigo Pascual became a certified Hollywood actor when he landed a lead role in the American musical drama TV series “Monarch” in 2022, through which he was able to showcase his skills in acting and singing. Thus, his appearance on the ABS-CBN Christmas special was truly delighting, such as when he sang and danced to “Standing Next To You” by Jungkook of BTS.
In November, our very own P-Pop boy group BGYO was among the Pinoy awardees in the BreakTudo Awards 2024 in Brazil as their song “Patintero” was named “Song by New International Artist.” As a way of thanking everyone who’s been part of their journey, especially their beloved ACEs, they gave an invigorating performance of their newest song “Trash.”
Time and time again, Maymay Entrata is able to prove that she’s indeed an “kabogera” as she’s been invited to grace the runways of various fashion shows in recent years. And this year, she had her debut in the Paris Fashion Week 2024 after being picked to become a runway model for renowned fashion designers Leo Almodal and Phan Huy in the 2024 Paris Fashion Week. She was truly a stunner when she performed her hit song “Amakabogera.”
Nation’s girl group BINI then celebrated their triumph in the BreakTudo Awards 2024 as well by performing their latest single “Cherry On Top,” which snagged the International Video of the Year Award along with the International Breakthrough Artist Award bestowed upon them.
Last, but definitely not the least, was Asia’s Superstar Kathryn Bernardo who shared more joy to everyone through a sultry dance number after her back-to-back victories this year. Aside from her latest film “Hello, Love, Again” being the first-ever Filipino movie to reach the record-breaking P1 billion (and counting) box-office gross worldwide, she was also awarded the Snow Leopard Rising Star trophy during the 10th Asia World Film Festival in Los Angeles City, California for her notable work in the movie.
Kilig was indeed in the air when some of our favorite Kapamilya leading men served us with their suave looks while serenading us with songs by some of the most popular boybands in the world. Leading the pack was Piolo Pascual with his rendition of A1’s “Like A Rose,” and was followed by Jericho Rosales and Arjo Atayde who were in-charge of “Quit Playing Games With My Heart.”
Seasoned heartthrobs Gerald Anderson, Jake Cuenca, and Carlo Aquino, along with JM de Guzman, JC de Vera, and RK Bagatsing were all debonair in their blue suits as they sang Boyzone’s “Love Me For A Reason”. While their handsomeness were already enough to charm us, Iñigo Pascual and Kyle Echarri further won our hearts with their version of *NSYNC’s “It’s Gonna Be Me.”
Young and talented actors Elijah Canlas, Ralph de Leon, Harvey Bautista, Miggy Jimenez, Zaijian Jaranilla, and Louise Abuel also had that boyband vibe as they sang One Direction’s “What Makes You Beautiful.” Meanwhile, rising artists Blackburn, Luke Allford, Anthony Meneses, KICE, and Kobie Brown, as well as “Pinoy Big Brother Gen 11” housemates Jarren Garcia, Dylan Turralde, and JM Ibarra charmed us with their rendition of the British “One Way Or Another,” also by One Direction.
Jeremiah Lisbo, Emilio Daez, Robbie Jaworski, Aljon Mendoza, River Joseph, and Joao Constancia were all glowing in their yellow ensembles as they sang Boyzone’s “Picture of You.” Cladded in purple suits, heartthrobs Edward Barber, Robi Domingo, Jameson Blake, Enchong Dee, KD Estrada, and Seth Fedelin swooned us with their performance of Backstreet Boys’ “As Long As You Love Me.”
Of course, the line-up wouldn’t be complete without Donny Pangilinan, James Reid, and Joshua Garcia, who were all so dapper in their cream and khaki suits as they hyped up the crowd with Westlife’s “Uptown Girl.” The segment wrapped up with the other heartthrobs who appeared before them joining them onstage.
From a battalion of heartthrobs to another, the three lead stars of the upcoming action-drama series “Incognito” – Richard Gutierrez, Ian Veneracion, and Daniel Padilla– also graced the event before showing us everything that they’d shot over the previous months. Richard provided the intro for the song numbers of Ian and Daniel, who rocked the stage with their performances of “Message In A Bottle” by The Police and “Boys Don’t Cry” by The Cure.
The longest-running and most awarded musical variety show in the Philippines– “ASAP” –also kicked off its 30th anniversary celebration. Since they’re known to become home of the country’s biggest, brightest, most in-demand, and most talented artists and icons, some of them gave us a totally stellar and fantastic presentation by performing the official soundtracks of “The Greatest Showman.”
Dressed in fabulous green ensembles Martin Nievera, Ogie Alcasid, Erik Santos, Gary Valenciano, Darren Espanto, Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, Jona, Morissette, Angeline Quinto, Klarisse de Guzman, KZ Tandingan, and Yeng Constantino, along with ASAP Chorale, they belted out “The Greatest Show,” “A Million Dreams,” and “This Is Me”.
Following the legends and hitmakers, the future of ABS-CBN’s premiere talent arm, Star Magic, proved that the local entertainment industry is in good hands as they showcased how wonderfully talented they all are not just through their respective projects but through their participation in the ABS-CBN Christmas Special, too!
With up-and-rising heartthrobs Jarren Garcia and Robbie Jaworski serving as the “video jocks” or VJs, the promising and up-and-coming Star Magic artists amused everyone as they sang and danced to the tune of this year’ hottest hits.
Francine Diaz, Vivoree, Shanaia Gomez, Kaori Oinuma, and Karina Bautista unleashed the inner popstars in them with their version of “Please Please Please” by Sabrina Carpenter, with Criza Taa, Bianca de Vera, Mutya Orquia, and Xyriel Manabat dancing to it.
Alexa Ilacad, AC Bonifacio, and Maymay Entrata caught us up in our zones with their take on Kehlani’s “After Hours.” “Lavender Fields” teen stars Krystal Mejes, Jana Agoncillo, Marc Santiago, and Miguel Vergara displayed their hidden grooves to it, alongside Lance Lucido, Talia Concio, Andrez del Rosario, Angelika Rama, Heart Ramos, Chunsa Jung, and Hannah Lopez Vito.
As Iñigo Pascual and Kyle Echarri returned onstage to sing “Angel Numbers / Ten Toes” by Chris Brown, they were joined by Gela Atayde, Michelle Garcia, and Race Matias as their dancers. Janella Salvador, CJ Navato, and Gello Marquez delivered an awesome performance of “Been Like This” by Meghan Trainor and T-Pain, with Krstyl Ball, Ashley del Mundo, Gillian Vicencio, and Kei Kurosawa sharing the stage with them.
Singer-songwriter SAB and Kapamilya theater thespians Lance Reblando, Teetin Villanueva, Jordan Andrews, Miah Canton, Vyen Villanueva, Andi Abaya, Jude Hinumdum, and Kiara Takahashi then enthralled us with their version of “breaking news” by flowerovlove. Joining them on stage were the housemates of “PBB Gen 11.” led by Big 4 Fyang Smith, Rain Celmar, Kolette Madelo, and Kai Montinola.
The party continued as PJ Endrinal, Igi Boy Flores, Ara Davao, Aya Fernandez, Daniela Stranner, Analain Salvador, Zach Guerrero, Argel Saycon, Ralph de Leon, River Joseph, and Elyson de Dios performed “Ice Cream Yummy, Ice Cream Good.” The set concluded with the Star Magic young artists, spearheaded by Jameson Blake, Joao Constancia, Aljon Mendoza, and Andrea Brillantes performing the “Mamushi” dance craze altogether.
Taking a break from the action and drama in “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo,” the cast members, led by the Primetime King Coco Martin, showcased their hidden singing and dancing prowess and lighthearted facets as they performed a medley of Pinoy disco hits, namely, “Dance With Me” by The Boyfriends and VST & Company’s “Magsayawan,” “Sumayaw Sumunod,” “Awitin Mo At Isasayaw Ko,” “Swing,” and “Rock Baby Rock.” Their energetic blast-from-the-past presentation capped off with them singing “Maligayang Pasko sa Buong Mundo” and Coco thanking the Kapamilyas for their unwavering love and support to the movies and series of ABS-CBN, especially “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo.”
A VTR of everything that ardent Kapamilya fans must watch out for in 2025 was also shown, starting off with the exciting story developments in the ongoing primetime series “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo” and “Lavender Fields.” Viewers can look forward to the much-anticipated “Huling Tapatan” of “It’s Showtime’s” Tawag ng Tanghalan: The School Showdown and the grand celebration of “ASAP’s” 30th anniversary next year.
It’s absolutely going to be an exciting year for every Kapamilyas out there because there are going to be new teleseryes to look forward to, such as “Incognito,” “How To Spot A Red Flag,” “Nobody,” “It’s Okay To Not Be Okay” (Philippine adaptation), and “What Lies Beneath”. New dance survival reality show “Time To Dance” will also premiere on January 18, which will be hosted by Robi Domingo and Gela Atayde. Well-loved talent competition “Pilipinas Got Talent,” which we many of us probably missed, is also set to make a comeback.
Fans of Enrique Gil and James Reid better brace themselves as the two heartthrobs are going to do teleseryes again, as well as the tandems of Zanjoe Marudo and Lovi Poe and Jericho Rosales and Janine Gutierrez. We should also not dare miss upcoming movies “And The Breadwinner Is…” this coming 50th Metro Manila Film Festival and “My Love Will Make You Disappear,” which will be Star Cinema’s offering for the Valentine’s Day celebration.
Aside from TV and film, ABS-CBN is also gearing up for a fruitful 2025 when it comes to music and events as the StarPop Campus Tour is expected to continue, the sold-out concert of Maki is going to have its regional legs, and BINI’s record-breaking Grand BINIverse will have its “repeat” next year. Furthermore, there are also going to be new music and record waiting for the supporters of various artists under the various record labels of ABS-CBN Music.
Among the series that a lot of avid Kapamilya viewers look forward to seeing is “Saving Grace”, the Pinoy adaptation of the Japanese series “Mother” that has been the leading local series in Prime Video. Thus, as a way of thanking everyone for their support and inviting more to watch, its stars Sharon Cuneta and Julia Montes graced the event to sing the official OST “Hanggang Sa Dulo.”
This year’s edition of ABS-CBN Christmas Special concluded with heartwarming and inspiring messages from ABS-CBN Chairman Mark Lopez, President and CEO Carlo Katigbak, and Chief Operating Officer Cory V. Vidanes, who expressed their gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of ABS-CBN Studios this 2024.
The stars of ABS-CBN assembled onstage to sing “It’s Christmas All Over The World” for the finale.
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.