No dating for Maris and Iñigo these holidays

Iñigo Pascual (left) and Maris Racal

Young singer-actors Maris Racal and Iñigo Pascual, who recently admitted that they were in the dating stage of their relationship, would not be spending the holidays together this year.

Maris told the Inquirer why she and Iñigo would not be able to see each other in the next few days.

“Iñigo grew up in the US. It’s his first time to spend Christmas in the Philippines this year, but I’ll be going home to my family in Davao,” she said.

When asked what gift she would like to give Iñigo for Christmas, Maris said: “He has been wanting to get a new pair of in-ear monitors or IEMs.”

IEMS are devices used by singers and musicians for noise reduction during live performances and recording studio sessions.—MARINEL R. CRUZ

Gabbi Garcia

A ‘thank-you gift’ from Gabbi to Ruru

Because her screen partner Ruru Madrid doesn’t celebrate Christmas being a member of the Iglesia ni Cristo, Gabbi Garcia said she would probably give the actor “a thank-you gift,” instead.

“We could still spend time with each other. Or maybe we can just exchange gifts on New Year’s Day,” she recently told reporters.

The young actress is part of the movie, “Meant to Beh”—her first Metro Manila Film Festival entry. “This time, I will be working during the holidays, so I don’t think I will be able to go out,” she said, adding that Christmas is usually spent with the family, hearing Mass and partaking in the Noche Buena. “That simple.”

For 2018, Gabbi is wishing for career sustainability. “I want to be successful and genuinely happy. This year, I was blessed, and I learned a lot. I was able to do a lot for myself, the family and the people who support me,” she related.—ALLAN POLICARPIO

Jett Pangan —JB Leonor

Cool Christmas for Jett

Singer-actor Jett Pangan is Mr. Cool personified, all year round—most especially, during this season of good cheer and glad tidings. “For the holidays, I prefer giving something useful to loved ones … something practical.” He has not-so-great expectations from gift-givers, too. “As for me, I don’t expect anything but to end up getting cool stuff (laughs)!”

On top of his wish list is to keep rocking and rolling in 2018. “More gigs for [my band] The Dawn, and maybe get involved again in musical theater.”

His most memorable Christmas was spent abroad. “It was the first time we spent it out of the country—in Singapore. It was a thrill to celebrate in another setting. More importantly, we were together the entire time for those three days or so. Cheers!” —BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR.

Aiza Seguerra

No gift-giving for Aiza

National Youth Commission chair Aiza Seguerra admits that giving gifts during the Christmas holidays isn’t really his thing.

“It’s not part of my love language,” the singer explains.

However, if Aiza were to hand out a special gift to people, he said: “I would choose to give it to my parents. I will spend as much time with them as I can. I value time the most—for me, it’s priceless.”—MARINEL R. CRUZ