(From left) Dolly de Leon and BGYO. Images: Instagram/@dollyedeleon, @bgyo_ph
Christmas will always be a memorable occasion for Filipinos, including celebrities like Dolly de Leon, BGYO, Carla Guevara Laforteza, and Jeremiah Lisbo, as it’s a special time to celebrate with loved ones, feast on noche buena, and partake in festive traditions.
The yuletide season is also a special time for many celebrities to take time off their busy schedules and dedicate themselves to their loved ones.
From getting presents and spending time with their families, here’s what de Leon, BGYO, and other celebrities have to say about their favorite Christmas memories.
Dolly de Leon
De Leon shared that spending time with her kids and relatives is enough to make Christmas memorable for her. The Golden Globe nominee added that the presents are also her favorite part of the season.
“Waking up and getting presents from Santa, and getting everything on my Christmas list. And opening the presents, of course,” she told INQUIRER.net.
BGYO
BGYO’s Gelo, Akira, JL, Mikki, and Nate looked back at their favorite memories in a brief chat with INQUIRER.net on the sidelines of the Star Magical Christmas last November, each recalling their own special moments of the season.
JL: “Kapag na-complete ang aming family kasi si Daddy nasa abroad so minsan lang siya nauwi (When our family is complete, because Daddy works abroad and only comes home occasionally).”
Nate: “Mine is when I see the snow.”
Akira: “Mga pagkain (For me, it’s the food), noche buena.”
Gelo: “Caroling.”
Mikki: “Kapag kasama ko ang (When I’m with) BGYO.”
Jeremiah Lisbo
Jeremiah Lisbo said as long as his family is complete, Christmas will always be a special time for him.
“Lahat naman ng [Christmas] memorable kapag kumpleto ang pamilya. Kahit simpleng celebration lang, masaya na (All Christmas celebrations are memorable when the family is complete. Even if it’s a simple celebration, it’s a happy time),” he said.
Carla Guevara Laforteza
Due to her and her relatives’ busy schedules, Carla Guevera Laforteza admitted that spending Christmas as a complete family is rare for her. This is the reason why the 24th and 25th of December will always be special when her loved ones are together.
“Now I have a family of my own, my sisters are all married, and we all have our own children,” she said. “My husband is a chef. I am a performing artist. We always have work on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day so we’re not able to spend time together on those days.”
The theater actress shared that her family spends the holidays a week before or after, depending on her schedule. Aside from her husband and herself, their daughter, Sophia Laforteza of the global girl group KATSEYE, is busy with promotional activities abroad.
“Namimiss ko ‘yung actual Christmas Eve na kumpleto kami (I miss the actual Christmas Eve when we’re complete), especially now my daughter is based abroad. We can’t spend Christmas together. There was a time na my two older children would spend their Christmas with their grandparents when they go to the States,” she said.
“My husband and I would be in Manila for work. So ang hirap (It’s hard) to be together for Christmas on the actual dates, so I miss that,” continued Guevara Laforteza.