Celebrating with my ‘Kapamilya’

Pretty stars led by Jessy Mendiola (left), KC Concepcion (third from right) and Angeline Quinto (right), prep for a dance number.  LEA SALONGA

For the last few years, I’ve been a more-than-willing participant in the ABS-CBN Christmas Special. Every single artist affiliated with the network via its shows and movies get to sing and dance to celebrate the season. The ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by my brother Gerard, this year’s musical director, is accompanying the artists in musical numbers.

Rehearsals

Rehearsals had started when the singers walked into the room. The music department earlier sent out study MP3s of all our material. I had lived with mine for a few days, and thankfully, because a lot of it was stuff I’d done in other gigs, not too much study time was required.

That said, I made sure to study one medley in particular, giving it a lot of love and attention … if only because my brother sang every singer’s part while conducting, and hearing him belt unexpected stuff (including En Vogue’s “Free Your Mind”) was totally worth it.

I had my orchestra rehearsal Sunday afternoon. My mother warned about Tropical Storm Ruby’s arrival, so we kept calling show coordinator Winnie Mariano to make sure our plans hadn’t been derailed.

Welcome sight

When I got to Studio 8 on the ABS-CBN compound, music was already playing for Bamboo and Sarah Geronimo (my fellow coaches on “The Voice of the Philippines”). Each one held lyric sheets in one hand and a microphone in the other.

I saw Iñigo Pascual with headphones on, “The Voice Kids’” Darren Espanto, Juan Karlos Labajo and Darlene Vibares milling about with the Star Magic Kids (Lyca Gairanod would arrive momentarily), and Martin Nievera’s booming voice coming in from the hallway, heralding his arrival.

It’s hilarious that whenever Martin starts to sing, the entire orchestra breaks out in spontaneous appreciation (read: very, very loud hollering). His generosity to every one of these musicians is legendary, hence the high volume.

Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla wait for their turn onstage. stars led by Jessy Mendiola (left), KC Concepcion (third from right) and Angeline Quinto (right), prep for a dance number. LEA SALONGA

Taping day

Taping took place on Tuesday. Thankfully, the rain wasn’t the huge obstacle we anticipated (I’d take anticlimactic over catastrophic any day), so the artists called in arrived relatively on time.

Maja Salvador was sent home due to a death in her family. Kim Chiu and Shaina Magdayao would be pinch-hitting for her in their shared musical number.

I sat in the studio for a bit to watch these two ladies dance, as well as KC Concepcion, with the G-Force, with choreographer Georcelle Dapat-Sy intensely watching them like a hawk from her seat.

Next up was the opening number, which could be a logistical nightmare given the number of participants: the Top 4 of The Voice Kids, at least 10 Star Magic Kids, a full-on choir, and singers Zsa Zsa Padilla, Martin Nievera, Gary Valenciano, Jamie Rivera, Toni Gonzaga, Sarah, Bamboo and myself.

Blocking this number took a little more time than I thought. Thankfully, everyone and everything sounded really good.

Plenty of good-natured ribbing took place (I guess when you’ve known the personnel involved for a long time, like we have, this is inevitable).

Teacher Annie Quintos-Uy was stationed at the front of the stage to help with vocals, especially for the kids, and Gerard was conducting the orchestra and the singers.

I sat in my dressing room (shared with Sarah; the boys Jericho Rosales, Diether Ocampo, Luis Manzano and Piolo Pascual were next door) typing out my thoughts while waiting to get called for my next thing.

Sarah was practicing another number in one corner of our shared space. I felt lucky to hear her sing without amplification or accompaniment. It was a good little break; the studio itself could be a bit hectic and crazy. I could hear the TVK Top 4 rehearsing in a room close to us. They were sounding pretty good.

***

Something wonderful

It’s wonderful that we, the more than 100 artists who work here, get to share this one program together and celebrate the Christmas holidays.

Artists who would normally never cross paths get to sing together, dance together, or just hang out together, catching up on what the year that passed may have brought for them. If my observation is correct, then it sure looks like everyone had a really great year.

To everyone at ABS-CBN—from its stable of singers, dancers, actors, television and radio hosts, to the crews manning the cameras, control rooms and sound desks, to the drivers, stage managers and office staff, and the dakilang security guards and marshals who keep everyone safe—

have a wonderful Christmas and a prosperous 2015!