Would you believe we’re about to spend our 6th Christmas with Cardo Dalisay?
Kapamilya series FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano continues to capture the hearts of Pinoy viewers for countless reasons including its notable representation of Filipino tradition and values. Their Christmas episodes would count as classic examples. Through the years, the ‘pambansang teleserye’ make it a point to air Christmas scenes tailor-made for the story arc, thus Cardo (Coco Martin) would have to spend it differently each time.
Christmas in 2015 holds a ton of memories for Cardo. It was the year he was reunited with Lola Flora (Susan Roces)’s side of the family as a decoy of his twin brother Ador who was killed in a police operation. With the bitterness already healed, the family shared a night of goodness over Noche Buena at Lola Flora’s house. Ador’s family, Carmen (Bela Padilla) and their son Junior (Lei Andre Navarro) also came. Carmen’s ‘binagoongan’ recipe was the star of the ‘salu-salo’ as usual. While everyone was exchanging gifts, Cardo and Carmen were exchanging shy, awkward but ‘kilig’ glances and it made the scene, set in the tune of ABS-CBN’s Christmas Station ID theme song “Thank You for the Love,” extra perfect.
The next time Cardo celebrates Christmas would be in prison, framed up by the Tuazon clan for illegal drug possession. There, he would sneak in his adopted child and mini sidekick Onyok (Simon Pineda), so they would spend holidays in the small cell with fellow inmates and newfound friends. To make the night a little less lonely, Onyok entertained the inmates with a Christmas carol. Then, the kind-hearted cook handed them a pack of bread which they would pass around for their own version of Noche Buena. It was heartbreaking, considering Cardo’s innocence, but at least there was Onyok to act like a gift.
In 2017, Cardo marked his second Christmas as a father, with the story jumping timelines to open a new chapter since his wedding to Alyana (Yassi Pressman). The Arevalo-Dalisay family had a fresh, hopeful beginning until a terrorist attack killed their son Ricky Boy. Hell-bent on revenge, Cardo decided to be away from his wife and take on a solo undercover mission, with a promise to be back once he gets justice for their child. It was therefore a Christmas away from home. The scene witnessed Cardo trying to brave the isolation and gloom while thinking about his family. At home, meanwhile, Alyana talked about keeping her faith in their reunion. And that’s what Christmas is all about – hope amid trials.
Cardo would make it up to Alayana in the next Christmas season, this time spent together in the peaceful town of Sto Niño with the vigilante group he formed, the Vendetta. The couple, who renewed their vows at the barrio’s small chapel, enjoyed a festive, colorful, and very traditional Christmas time with their friends. They did carolling and completed the Simbang Gabi.
Alyana and the women of Sto Niño made lanterns and adorned their improvised Christmas tree built from twigs. It was a feast for the senses, with the colorful ornaments and flags displayed all over the place.
For Noche Buena, everyone worked together in cooking classic Pinoy dishes. The Vendetta also had fun preparing the lechon or roast pig.
On Christmas day itself, they heard mass and enjoyed traditional Pinoy Christmas food, rice cakes like ‘bibingka’ and ‘puto bumbong,’ sold outside the chapel. The kids bought new toys using the money they collected from carolling. And the scene was made even more nostalgic with “Family Is Love” playing in the background.
Cardo, Alyana, and the gang were back in the city for Christmas 2019. At the time, Cardo and his friends were newly appointed as Presidential Anti-Crime Task Force also known as Task Force Agila while Alyana was elected as Barangay Captain. They also met Letlet (Iyannah Sumalpong) who would become their adopted daughter. That year, the spirit of Christmas could be truly felt at the Dalisay residence.
Cardo and Alyana’s next Christmas, in 2020, would be spent in another new hiding place – at Alyana’s hometown in Batangas. Despite seemingly insurmountable threats, Task Force Agila had a simple but fun, intimate, and meaningful celebration. Check out this scene of Cardo joyfully adorning their place, with a majestic view of Taal Volcano as backdrop, for what would become his last Christmas with his beloved wife.
The past year is arguably the darkest chapter in Cardo’s life because of Alyana’s loss. And we know he’s still bound to go through a lot. But it’s the Christmas season and the hero needs a little break as well, so consider it our Christmas wish for Cardo to find something that will bring back his smiles and spark hope in his heart – a new love, perhaps?
Let’s watch out for Cardo’s Christmas celebration this year and how 2021 ends for him in FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, weeknights, on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, and A2Z.