Ian Veneracion
How are you celebrating the Christmas season to make it more meaningful despite the pandemic?
IAN VENERACION
“I’m just happy to be spending time with the whole family. We will just have a simple celebration here—kainan, handaan.”
Ogie Alcasid
OGIE ALCASID
“I think on Dec. 24, Regine (Velasquez) and I will be in Bulacan with my mother-in-law. On Dec. 28, my mom who’s 89 years old, will come over and stay with us at home for a few days. And then we will be back in Bulacan on New Year’s Eve.
“We used to go to Australia during the holidays. Unfortunately, we still can’t travel. But my eldest (Leila Alcasid) will be leaving for Sydney. It will be her first time to see her mom (Michelle van Eimeren) and sister (Sarah) in two years.”
Ritz Azul-Guy
RITZ AZUL-GUY
“My family and I are always trying to make every day special, especially now that we’re in the midst of a pandemic. What I mean by this is that now we’re doubling the effort. This Christmas is extra special also because I have a husband now. We still don’t have any concrete plan for Christmas Day but I think, just like in the past years, we will aim to be a complete family. I hope to really spend time with my loved ones, exchange stories with them, and do a movie marathon while eating chips. That, to me, is already meaningful.”
Andrew Gan
ANDREW GAN
“I’m planning to celebrate the holidays this year at home with my family and with really close friends, unlike before when I would attend one party after the other. I also miss doing this, but I prioritize the health and safety of the people I live with.
“Honestly, this pandemic made me realize that I have to spend my time and energy only on people who help me grow as a person. In short, I should choose the company I keep.”
Kate Valdez
KATE VALDEZ
“We’re planning to celebrate Christmas in Bohol. Hopefully, it pushes through. If not, we will just stay at home with the family, which is the important thing. Wherever you celebrate, as long as you have your loved ones with you, it’s all good. I just feel blessed that my family and I are still healthy, and that I still have projects. I still consider myself lucky and blessed.”
Dianne Medina-Ilustre
DIANNE MEDINA-ILUSTRE
“There’s nothing more memorable and special than celebrating the holidays with my loved ones, most especially my baby Joaquin, even if this means we will only be at home. We will have a very simple celebration. We plan to hear Mass online, and then pray and eat together. I don’t want to risk exposing my son to the virus by spending the holidays outdoors.”
Jolo Estrada
JOLO ESTRADA
“We’re very family-oriented. Every 24th we go to the house of our Lolo Erap (Estrada) and then the whole family will have Noche Buena. We eat and open gifts. We sing karaoke and drink a little. And then we go home at around 3 a.m. Super bonding!
“And then on the 25th, we usually hold a big reunion with the whole Estrada clan—that’s around 200 of us. We have Christmas lunch and dinner together. We also have games.
“But because of the pandemic, we had to do away with the reunions. Zoom na lang muna. But my family will visit our grandparents, because they don’t have anyone else around during Christmas.”