Nothing can get in the way of the much-awaited annual ABS-CBN Christmas Special. 2020 has been a year full of challenges for everyone in this country, but Kapamilya stars still fulfilled their Christmas promise to uplift the spirits of Filipinos everywhere.
PHOTOS: Kapamilya stars assemble for dazzling, all-out performances at the star-studded “Ikaw Ang Liwanag at Ligaya” ABS-CBN Christmas Special
Regardless of the constraints brought on by the pandemic, the Christmas show was able to continue this year with a few adjustments. The ABS-CBN family made the live concert a virtual experience available in Kapamilya channels on Facebook, YouTube, iWantTFC, TFC, A2Z Channel 11, Kumu, and KTX.ph.
Carrying the network’s Christmas ID theme “Ikaw ang Liwanag at Ligaya,” the show began with an animated story of bringing back joy and happiness to Filipino families this Christmas which Coco Martin brings to life by opening the stage of the ABS-CBN Christmas Special 2020.
The holiday feels were immediately sparked with Lea Salonga and Darren Espanto’s collab of the “Do You Hear What I Hear,” before Kim Chiu and the P-pop rising idols Star Hunt Academy Boys gave an energetic “Jingle Bell Rock” performance. More of the biggest Kapamilya stars, such as Daniel Padilla, JM De Guzman, Bamboo, Moira Dela Torre, Vice Ganda, Gary Valenciano, and Regine Velasquez-Alcasid sang more of our favorite Christmas tunes with accompanying dance performances from P-pop girl groups BINI and MNL 48.
A number of Kapamilya stars performed with their family members such as Martin Nievera and his sister Viki; the Santiago brothers Randy, Raymart, and Rowell; Ogie Alcasid and his daughter Leila; Zsa Zsa Padilla and her daughter Karylle; and Edu Manzano and his son Luis. It was truly heartwarming as they jammed to famous Filipino Christmas carols and all together sang Yeng Constantino’s “Pasko sa ‘Pinas”.
The It’s Showtime family, the cast of FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano and the ASAP stars had their own special performances to offer appreciation to the loyal fans of their shows.
It’s Showtime resident hosts Vice Ganda, Vhong Navarro, Teddy Corpuz, Jugs Jugueta, Karylle, Ryan Bang, Kim Chiu, and Tyang Amy Perez didn’t only deliver their usual fun banters and jokes alongside performances, they also prepared a Magpasikat-style number that emphasized the happiness the noontime show brings to their viewers.
Coco Martin, Yassi Pressman, John Prats, Angel Aquino, and other FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano cast members wowed the audience by grooving to the beat of 90s dance hits while Martin Nievera, Angeline Quinto, Erik Santos, Regine Velasquez-Alcasid and other ASAP singers also gave their interpretations of wonderful Christmas melodies. More than just a special appearance on the Christmas special, these performances are a declaration that their programs will continue to bring entertainment to Filipinos through numerous platforms.
The whole night felt like a Pinoy celebration with everyone’s favorite trends, music, and personalities featured on screen. Popular Kapamilya love teams such as KathNiel (Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla), MayWard (Maymay Entrata and Edward Baber), LoiNie (Loisa Andalio and Ronnie Alonte), KiRae (Kira Balinger and Grae Fernadez), TonVen (Tony Labrusca and Heaven Peralejo), with the onscreen tandems of Barbie Imperial and Yves Flores and Michelle Vito and Kiko Estrada of Bagong Umaga, filled the night with a bit of kilig singing OPM band love songs.
Pinoy artists Moira Dela Torre, Ben&Ben, and Gary Valenciano delivered familiar “hugot” tunes, before BINI and SHA Boys performed Mr. Pure Energy’s hits. Maymay Entrata, Edward Barber, Alexa Ilacad, Melai Cantiveros, Elmo Magalona, Joshua Garcia, Enchong Dee, Iñigo Pascual, Darren Espanto, Pinoy Big Brother housemates, and many more young stars from Star Magic and Star Hunt Academy, then did their own versions of K-pop hits.
Budding stars that caught Pinoys’ hearts especially this year such as BINI, SHA Boys, and Thai heartthrobs BrightWin had their own moment in the spotlight. The Gold Squad一the viral barkada composed of Andrea Brillantes, Francine Diaz, Kyle Echarri, and Seth Fedelin一also got to show off their dancing skills with the Rise Artists.
Kapamilya leading ladies and leading men, such as Tony Labrusca, JC De Vera, Zanjoe Marudo, JM de Guzman, Joshua Garcia, Paulo Avelino, Joseph Marco, Enchong Dee, Gerald Anderson, Erich Gonzales, Yam Concepcion, Arci Munoz, Shaina Magdayao, Kim Chiu, Yassi Pressman, Iza Calzado, and Jodi Sta. Maria were highlights of the night with their song performances.
Regine Velasquez-Alcasid and Ogie Alcasid then touched viewers with a moving duet of the classic “Pasko Na, Sinta Ko.”
Top Kapamilya balladeers, among them Concert King Martin Nievera, Jona, Sam Concepcion, Jason Dy, Nyoy Volante, John Arcilla, and Jed Madela, crooned viewers while female Kapamilya icons Zsa Zsa Padilla, Jolina Magdangal, Karla Estrada, Klarisse de Guzman, and Angline Quinto serenaded everyone watching.
The evening was capped by a thrilling encore performance by the network’s biggest stars—Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, Gary Valenciano, Martin Nievera, Ogie Alcasid, Vice Ganda, Kim Chiu, Joshua Garcia, and Coco Martin.
Ikaw ang Liwanag at Ligaya: The ABS-CBN Christmas Special 2020 truly brought light and joy to everyone despite the challenging year we have experienced. In between performances, we got to see inspiring snippets of Filipinos that achieved great things and stayed resilient through the difficulties that happened this year. Several touching stories of Filipinos supporting others and continuously spreading joyfulness were also shared and featured. Those short moments create a big impact in encouraging everyone to spread and bring back “liwanag” and “ligaya” this holiday season.
The event itself was also an avenue of promoting such positivity as the proceeds earned will go to Sagip Kapamilya’s fundraising campaign, Tulong-tulong sa Pag-Ahon which will provide support to the recently affected typhoon victims.
ABS-CBN executives—Chairman Mark Lopez, President and CEO Carlo Katigbak, and Chief Operating Officer for Broadcast Cory Vidanes—delivered special message of thanks and hopefulness before closing the festive night.