Ghosts of Benjamin Alves’ Christmases past

Benjamin Alves

What is the significance of the holiday season in Benjamin Alves’ life?

“Now more than ever, it has become about family. We’ve all focused our gift-giving to my brother’s kid, Noah—our first in the family,” Ben told the Inquirer when we interviewed him via Instagram last weekend.

Currently in Guam to spend his holiday break with his [immigrant] family, the 27-year-old actor-model said, “I remember growing up during our first years in Guam. Christmas was tough because I had to adjust as a kid from Manila who was used to all the lights and [a bigger] family. Money was tight then. I remember when we pretty much spent a few Christmases just making sure we had something to eat. Being older now, I’ve come to appreciate things better because of those experiences.” —RITO ASILO