The Christmas tree is arguably one of the most common decorative pieces that we see during the season. As soon as the month of September arrives every year, which marks the beginning of the holiday celebration here in the Philippines, many homes and establishments start erecting their trees and decorating them according to their chosen motif.
However, more than just being an occasional decor, the Christmas tree, according to spiritualityessence.com, actually “serves as a powerful metaphor for the human spirit’s resilience and the enduring nature of faith,” which “offers comfort and hope, reminding us that life continues even in the face of adversity and change.”
Since this season is among those times when we reflect on our journeys and experiences in the year that has passed, we recently asked some of our favorite Kapamilya celebrities the random question, “If your Christmas could tell the story of this year, what would it reveal?”
“Pinoy Big Brother Gen 11” housemates Kolette Madelo, Rain Celmar, Kai Montinola, Fyang Smith, Jas Dudley-Scales, Patrick Ramirez, Dingdong Bahan, Therese Villamor, JP Cabrera, and Jarren Garcia said that their Christmas trees are definitely going to impart how 2024 has been a rollercoaster ride for them as it was full of surprises, blessings, changes, challenges, and unexpected moments that they will surely cherish for the rest of their lives and make them excited for the year to come.
The year 2024 has also been a spectacular one for Mr. Pure Energy, Gary Valenciano. He shared, “I never, never worked for awards. If I don’t get an award for Best Concert of the Year, so what? If I don’t get an award for Performer of the Year, it’s okay kasi hindi ‘yan ang dahilan kung bakit ako nagpe-perform. But this year, I got five. And, I think, the story of the Christmas tree will be something that would just symbolize one spectacular year for Gary V.”
Yeng Constantino couldn’t be more glad with how OPM has continued to thrive, especially in recent years. Thus, her Christmas tree would likely tell a story of gratefulness. She said, “I’m just really celebrating right now where ‘yong estado ng OPM. Kasi noong panahon kasi namin, ang laging nagcha-chart foreign acts. But now, seeing kung gaano kalago ang OPM, parang ‘yon ‘yong gusto ko na story ng Christmas tree ko.”
With how booked she was this year when it comes to acting projects, not to mention her blockbuster hit movie “Unhappy For You” with Joshua Garcia, Julia Barretto said that her Christmas tree would like to tell us about “God’s graces,” “Halfmates” actress Karina Bautista implied also implied how blessed she was this 2024 by describing her journey this year as “bright, happy, hopeful, and ambitious”.
In a previous interview, Julia Montes mentioned having personalized snowflake décor on their Christmas tree, where the names of every member of their family are written. This has been a tradition of theirs apparently, and the “Saving Grace” actress is happy that the name of her dad, whom she finally met for the first time in 2016, is finally included. Thus, she would like their Christmas tree to share the completeness of their family.
For Shaina Magdayao, Loisa Andalio, and Angela Ken, they wish that their Christmas trees are going to capture how happy their families are, especially as they gather on noche buena and on Christmas Day. The “Ako Naman Muna” hitmaker elaborated that she wishes for her Christmas to impart how she has been spending the occasion every single year with her beloved mother and grandmother, the two strong and empowered women who have raised her and showed her the kindness of the world.
Yeng Constantino, Shaina Magdayao, Loisa Andalio, Angela Ken, Edward Barber
Quite similar with Edward Barber, who liked his tree to convey the story of friendship, family, and community, as he’s able to build connections with many people around him and how much he loved doing so even though he’s an introvert. As well as with Gillian Vicencio, whose tree would probably speak of love and of the people who have been truly there for her.
As we don’t see him very often nowadays, KD Estrada revealed that he’s actually been taking more steps towards his health, proper education, standing up for what is right, and changing himself into becoming a better man, which his Christmas tree might probably impart.
“It’s Showtime” hosts Lassy Marquez and MC Muah got a bit sentimental as they talked about their Christmas trees. Lassy related that from having a small and makeshift chemistry back in the day, their family can now have a 10-foot tall tree since they have a bigger house now. MC, on the other hand, reminisced on how his parents used to remind him to hang a sock on their tree for him to be able to receive gifts.
Kapamilya heartthrob Seth Fedelin assumed that they’re tree would likely to tell how it already grew up and got a lot of gifts below it, while his loveteam partner Francine Diaz said that her tree would probably blab about her being a big girl already.
Unlike her aesthetically-pleasing Instagram feed that is so organized, Nadine Lustre exposed that she actually has a messy mind as she tends to change the decorations or motif of her Christmas tree, and this might be what her tree would divulge about her this year.
JC Alcantara opened up a bit about going through personal struggles this year, so he would like his tree to signify joy, love, and hope that he received and felt. He went on to compare himself to the star atop his Christmas tree, who still shone despite of it all.
Instead of stories, Robi Domingo, Maymay Entrata, and Kyle Echarri disclosed what their trees would likely to say to them. For the PBB host, he believes that it’s going to tell him, “I told you, basta nandiyan si Jesus everything falls into the right place and into the right time.”
Meanwhile, Maymay’s tree might probably be delighted that she’s going to build one again after so many years of not doing so. According to her, she stopped the tradition after her father figure died many years ago.
And lastly, with how long and hectic this year has been for him, Kyle Echarri related that his Christmas tree would perhaps advise him to take a rest and do hiking again.
What about you, Kapamilya? What story of your 2024 shine the brightest this Christmas?