Noche Buena is deeply ingrained in Filipino culture.
Brought to the Philippines by the Spanish in the 16th century, it traditionally concluded the nine-day Simbang Gabi novena and Misa de Gallo (Midnight Mass).
In modern times, it has evolved into a much-anticipated family feast—a moment when loved ones come together to celebrate Christmas Eve.
It’s that time of the year when people, including the busiest celebrities, gather for a salo-salo.
In the case of Carla Abellana, “We celebrate Noche Buena sa aming bahay kasama ko yung aking family and relatives na rin na closest.”
For Alden Richards, the celebration is more about coming home and reconnecting “para lang at least nababalik ka, kumbaga naru-root ka lang ulit sa pinanggalingan mo.”
Read: Judy Ann Santos recommends 12 festive meals for Christmas
What Are on Their Tables?
Judy Ann Santos shared with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) how menu planning in their household is a collective effort.
“May kanya-kanya silang request. Kumbaga, every year, it’s a day we all look forward to and everyone has a say in the menu. May mga handa, siyempre, na kumbaga, automatic, kasama dapat.”
The same sentiment applies to Alden’s family, where tradition plays a key role in deciding what’s served.
“I think a lot of Filipinos also celebrate Christmas the way it is and yung mga sine-serve na pagkain is yun din yung talagang consistent.
"Kasi parang, technically, the reason why hindi siya nawawala, because that's what Christmas is to us in terms of food.
“So, hindi siya nawawala sa roster ng mga pagpipilian every holidays."
Read: Judy Ann Santos weighs in on DTI's 500-peso Noche Buena
NOCHE BUENA STAPLES
So what are the must-prepare dishes that complete the Christmas tables of Judy Ann, Carla, and Alden?
Carla revealed: “Tuwing Pasko, siguro yung queso de bola at saka pandesal. Isa na iyan.
“Ham na hinahanda ng aking mommy, pero ako na ngayon ang naghahanda.
"At siguro, spaghetti o yung pasta ng aking Auntie.
“So iyon ang mga hindi nawawala kapag Noche Buena na namin."
These dishes are also among the staples on the Faulkerson family’s hapag-kainan: “Hamon, queso de bola, at saka, actually, spaghetti.”
Judy Ann, meanwhile, talked about the specific requests of each family member—from her husband Ryan Agoncillo to their children Yohan, Lucho, and Luna.
“Like si Lucho, ang request niya pag Christmas is roasted turkey. Si Luna, ang request niya is eggnog. Si Yohan, ang request niya, prawns thermidore or lobster thermidore.
“Si Ryan naman will always have his lasagna.
“Of course, there is the initial, the traditional Christmas ham, bread.
“Andiyan yung traditional na chicken ala king ng mommy ko. Ako, yun naman ang mandatory sa akin.
“So there's this fruit salad. There are different types of salads…saka truffle mashed potatoes.
“Ang nadagdag actually for this Christmas is the truffle mashed potatoes and creamy spinach and mushroom soup…”
PEP CELEBRITY-APPROVED NOCHE BUENA DISHES
Eighteen celebrities were asked to share their Noche Buena staples, and from their answers, 12 dishes emerged.
Surprisingly—or perhaps not—their handa closely mirrors what many Filipino families traditionally serve.
What do their answers have in common? A balance of protein, noodles, and dessert.
Behold—ranked according to how many celebrities mentioned them—here are the Noche Buena dishes that made it on PEP Celebrity-Approved list:
Top 1: LECHON
This Spanish-influenced dish takes center stage on the hapag-kainan of most celebrities.
Richard Gutierrez told PEP: "Sa kahit anong handaan sa bahay, meron parating lechon mula sa Cebu."
It's also the top answer of Mica Alamanca (in photo), Ysabel Ortega, Angelina Cruz, River Joseph, Richard, and Judy Ann, to name a few.
Top 2: SALAD
Francine Diaz answered "buko salad," while her ka-love team Seth Fedelin replied, "macaroni salad."
Vice Ganda also mentioned macaroni salad.
Binibining Pilipinas International 2024 Myrna Esguerra, Angelina, and Juday counted fruit salad among the family's favorites.
This dessert is among the easiest to prepare—you just mix all your ingredients then add all-purpose cream and cheese cubes.
Top 3: SPAGHETTI
Rice is life for Pinoys, but during handaan, there’s always a second carbohydrate on the table—and most celebrities answered, “spaghetti.”
A derivative of the world-famous Italian dish, Pinoy spaghetti is known for its “manamis-namis” flavor and the addition of hotdogs.
The Christmas table of Vice Ganda (in photo), Joshua Garcia, Alden, Seth, and Francine won't also be complete without it.
Top 4: BARBECUE
These pork slices, marinated in a sweet and savory sauce, is a Pinoy favorite all-year round.
Barbecue is a top-of-mind choice—whether for a birthday party, reunion lunch, or Noche Buena.
It’s a usual handa in the households of Joshua (in photo), Robbie Jaworski, Angelina, and Myrna.
Top 4: QUESO DE BOLA
Inherited from the Spanish, this dish has long been part of the Pinoy Christmas tradition.
Along with barbecue, it ranks in the Top 4 of the PEP Celebrity-Approved Noche Buena Dishes list.
Carla enjoys it with pandesal.
Rans Rifol, Alden, Ysabel, and many others also consider it a staple.
TOP 5: HAMON
Hamon is another pamana from the Spanish colonizers.
You’ll know it’s Christmas when you see them multiplying on supermarket shelves.
Alden said it’s part of his family’s Christmas tradition.
River Joseph, Judy Ann, and Joshua also named it a family favorite.
TOP 6: LUMPIANG SHANGHAI
This easy-to-prepare appetizer is a handaan staple, a top favorite of Seth and his family.
It’s loved for being both flavorful and convenient, making it a crowd-pleaser for guests of all ages.
TOP 7: PANSIT
For the longest time, pansit has been second only to rice as a source of carbohydrates.
A symbol of “long life,” this noodle dish is popular not just during Noche Buena, but also at birthdays and New Year celebrations.
It comes in different varieties, but bihon remains the top favorite.
TOP 7: PALABOK
Palabok is now as popular as pansit among celebrities, including Robbie (in photo) and Rans.
This Filipino adaptation of pansit, also called Pancit Malabon, is characterized by its seafood-rich, thick, orange sauce.
TOP 8: CHICKEN
Those who watch what they eat see chicken dishes as the healthier options.
Aubrey Miles likes hers roasted, while Rans prefers it fried.
Mommy Carol’s Chicken a la King is “the best,” according to Juday.
Robbie’s family serves baked sriracha chicken.
TOP 9: ROAST TURKEY
The Americans’ classic Thanksgiving dish has become a popular Noche Buena choice among Pinoy celebrities.
It’s Lucho Agoncillo’s request this year and is also a table staple for Robbie’s family.
TOP 10: BAKED SALMON
This is a surprising entry on the list.
It’s among the top choices of Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab alumnus Brent Manalo, who, by the way, is a good cook.
He told PEP, “Yung Baked Salmon ng mom ko, yung maraming lemon, yun lagi kong request sa kanya.”
It’s also a favorite dish of Angelina.
Other dishes set to grace celebrity tables this 2025 include:
- Soups: sopas, sinigang na bulalo
- Appetizers: sisig, marshmallows wrapped in hotdog, buttered shrimp, baked sriracha chicken
- Main Courses: beef casserole, roast beef, lobster thermidor
- Carbohydrates: lasagna, fried rice
- Desserts: champorado, cake, halayang ube, eggnog
Interviews: Nikko Tuazon, Khryzztine Baylon, Ally Calinao