With Christmas just
around the corner, PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) went around and asked
some of our local celebrities about their usual practice on
Christmas Eve. Like most of us, showbiz personalities go the traditional Pinoy way—celebrating Christmas with family and close relatives.
KRISTA
RANILLO. Christmas this year for Krista Ranillo and her
family will be different as they chose to spend it here in the country instead
of flying overseas. Krista excitedly told PEP: "Here! Usually kasi we spend it
in the States, in San Francisco, because my brother is based there but now
umuwi siya dito so we're gonna spend Christmas here before they go back to the
States."
Krista is seen on
ABS-CBN's afternoon drama program, Pieta.
She's also part of TV5's cutting edge series, Hush Hush. The daughter of actor Mat Ranillo III makes a cameo
appearance in the upcoming Metro Manila Film Festival entry, Iskul Bukol: 20 Years After.
ANGELU
DE LEON. As a mother, actress Angelu de Leon understands
fully well the significance of the festive season to her two children, Nicole
and Louise. "Of course with my family and with my two beautiful children," said
Angelu when asked on how she's planning to spend the upcoming holiday.
Angelu has yet to decide
whether to go out of town or simply stay home. "Maybe house lang," she said. "I don't know it yet. I haven't planned it with them."
Explaining their usual
practice, the former teen star offered: "Very traditional, very family-oriented." The holidays are a good time for Angelu and her kids to go out of town to unwind and spend quality time together. But if that's not possible she and her kids are fine in Manila.
JC
DE VERA. 2008 is a busy year for La Lola and Shake, Rattle and
Roll star JC de Vera. In fact he's planning to take a much needed vacation
after Christmas before buckling down to work again. But before that, JC will
spend time with his family.
"Tulad ng ginagawa ko every year kasama family ko,
walang definite plans pa ngayon. Pero 'ayon, with family and relatives talaga."
NIÑA
JOSE. With all the blessings that came her way, statuesque
actress Niña Jose simply couldn't ask for more. On top of her plans come Christmas day is to hear mass and
thank God for a productive year.
"Gusto ko magsimba para
rin thank you kay Lord sa lahat ng binigay niya sa ‘kin," she told PEP
(Philippine Entertainment Portal) in an interview.
Niña Jose is part of
Regal Entertainment's 2008 Metro Manila Film Festival entry, Shake, Rattle and Roll X under the direction of Mike Tuviera and Topel Lee.
MARCO
ALCARAZ. Hunky actor Marco Alcaraz of Shake, Rattle and Roll X will have an unusual Christmas this year. On his sister's invitation, Marco will visit New Zealand instead of
flying home to Cebu like he used to.
"Kasi flight attendant
siya [Marco's sister] so nag-request siya na samahan ko siya dun
kasi first time niya malayo sa family," shared Marco, who described his role in
the popular horror flick as "malanding aswang."
JAY-R.
The
Prince of R&B, Jay-R, will immediately return to Los Angeles,
California after the Metro Manila Film Festival parade on December 24. Jay-R,
who is part of Desperadas 2,
cited work as the main reason he doesn't fly overseas as much as before, when he was jut starting out in the business.
As a ninong, Jay-R describes
himself as "generous." He spoils his godchildren with attention
and time, rather than simply giving them money or other material stuff. "I want to spend
time with them po," he said candidly, "and really take care of them po like
pakainin sila."
Jay-R's Christmas album
Holiday of Love is released under his
own Homeworkz Record label.
KYLA.
Coming
from a large family, R&B Princess Kyla says that Christmas is a one big
family affair. Kyla (Melanie Hernandez Calumpad in real life) spends
Christmas Eve in her Bulacan hometown together with her entire family and other relatives. They welcome the birth of
Christ with the traditional noche buena.
Kyla's boyfriend, cager Rich Alvarez, visits her a few hours before
midnight. Asked if she sees herself doing the other way around, Kyla
sheepishly smiled and said: "Hindi ako marunong mag-drive, e, kaya di ko siya
madadalaw. Siya na lang dumalaw sa ‘min."
Heart
2 Heart, Kyla's seventh album under EMI Philippines
contains a bonus track titled, My Grown
Up Christmas Wish.
RICO
BLANCO. Even a rocker like Rico Blanco loves Christmas. In a
conversation with the prolific singer-songwriter last month, Rico shared that
Christmas for him is a time for giving and sharing. "That's what Christmas is
all about naman, di ba?" he asked back. "But what's so nice about the Season is
that it binds families together in celebrating the birthday of our Creator. Ako,
well like most of us, I spend the special day with my loved ones."
Rico Blanco's solo debut
album Your Universe is released
under Warner Music Philippines.