MANILA -- ABS-CBN pays tribute to different Filipinos, whose inspiring stories have touched the hearts and ignited the passion of people working for the network on and off cam, in its newest Christmas station ID launched on Wednesday.
Dubbed as “Magkasama Tayo sa Kwento ng Pasko,” this year’s Christmas station ID becomes a vehicle to share these stories to Filipinos here and across the globe. It also highlights the bond that ABS-CBN have forged with its audience through the years.
Seven stories were researched by ABS-CBN’s Integrated Creative Communications Management division and for each story, an artist was chosen based on who would best help tell their touching true-to-life tales.
“These stories of simple yet remarkable individuals will always be ABS-CBN’s inspiration in delivering its commitment to be of service to every Filipino. And for the many years that they have allowed us inside their homes, we only have gratefulness. Being accepted by Filipinos as their Kapamilya is by far our greatest achievement. Our journey with them has been remarkable. We can only look forward to many more years with them,” said Robert Labayen, head of Integrated Creative Communications Management.
For instance, the only wish of Nanay Baby of Isla Pulos for Christmas was to have an autographed picture of Kim Chiu, the actress who stayed in their humble home (which didn’t have any electricity) for an episode of the show “I Dare You” two years ago.
She was definitely in awe when the one who delivered her requested photo was Chiu herself. Together with Xian Lim, the actress reconnected with Nanay Baby, whom she considers like a mother in that short span of time she lived with her family.
Judy Ann Santos, meanwhile, wanted to spend time with women who were victims of violence, having portrayed an abused wife in her last teleserye “Huwag ka Lang Mawawala.”
Women from the Women’s Crisis Center were brought to Our Lady of Victory chapel in Malabon knowing that they will be interviewed about their past experiences and how they have moved on, but not knowing that Santos would be there waiting for them. The actress sat down with them, talked with them and even served them a simple merienda of pancit, chicken and puto to the women’s delight.
As a security guard of the Star Magic office in ABS-CBN, Gualberto Isla Jr. opens the door for artists like John Lloyd Cruz, when they drop by the office. Unfortunately, he had to be relieved of his duties due to malignant melanoma which affected his left under-eye area. His simple wish was to be able to go back to work so that he can provide for his family. One rainy afternoon, an unexpected visitor entered Isla’s home in Rodriguez, Rizal and it was none other than Cruz himself.
Meanwhile, Cyril Perales is a habal-habal driver in Cebu who hardly make ends meet together with his wife Evelyn to support their seven children. Alhough life is tough for them, they take pride in having a happy family with simple joys. They save up for two months just to be able to cook spaghetti and buy bread for Christmas dinner.
Having heard this story, Cebu-born actor Enrique Gil flew to Cebu, with several balikbayan boxes containing gifts for all nine family members. Not only that, Gil also surprised the whole family with their first-ever Noche Buena feast, complete with the famous lechon Cebu.
Gemma Solomon is an OFW in Hong Kong who battled breast cancer. Although she was longing for the care of her family back in Bicol, she decided to stay in Hong Kong because of the medical benefits the government provides for foreign workers like her. Like any other mother who wants to provide for her children, she fights homesickness every day, in the hope of giving them a better life.
When Piolo Pascual heard about her story, he agreed to fly to Hong Kong immediately, carrying with him a video message from her family. Solomon could hardly believe that the actor appeared right before her eyes on a random Sunday morning at the Hong Kong harbor.
Simplicio Yoma is a war veteran living in the Bay Area in California, who misses his family back home in the Philippines. One day at the Embarcadero in downtown San Francisco, Gerald Anderson came up to him and surprised him with a video message from his family. It is a very personal moment for the actor since Anderson’s father is also in the military.
An avid TFC subscriber, Nanay Dely thought she was only visiting Sam Milby’s shoot in downtown San Francisco. Without her knowledge, her husband Tatay Fermin was about to fulfill her long-time dream that day – a marriage proposal – as they celebrate their 50th anniversary. With the help of Milby, Tatay Fermin started to carry out his plan by serenading Nanay Dely with their theme song, “Portrait of My Love.” Holding out a placard saying, “Minahal at inalagaan mo ako nang higit sa iyong sarili. Pakakasal ka ba sa akin MULI?,” Tatay Fermin broke into tears even before Nanay Dely was able to give her resounding, “yes.” They now plan to get married again this December.
“Magkasama Tayo Sa Kwento Ng Pasko” was written by Labayen, with music composed, arranged and produced by Bojam De Belen, Thyro Alfaro, Jeli Mateo. It was performed by “The Voice of the Philippines” coaches Sarah Geronimo, Bamboo and Lea Salonga with grand winner Mitoy Yonting and finalists Klarisse De Guzman, Janice Javier and Myk Perez.
The 2013 ABS-CBN Christmas station ID was created by ABS-CBN Integrated Creative Communications Management headed by Labayen, Johnny Delos Santos, Patrick de Leon and Ira Zabat. It was directed by Johnny Delos Santos, Peewee Gonzales, Paolo Ramos and Carmelo Saliendra.
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
