All we want for Christmas

We’ve always loved Christmas, because it brings out the child in us, in terms of hope, love—and all good things made bright and beautiful anew by the freshly cherished birth of the rightful Reason for the Season.

With Pope Francis’ visit to Manila and Tacloban less than a month away, we have all the more reason and motivation to strive to become better people this Christmas month, and for the rest of the new year—that’s our first wish for everyone, stars and nonstars alike!

Also on our Christmas wish list, this time for specific luminaries: For the “prosperous” likes of Sharon Cuneta, Jed Madela and Aiko Melendez, victories in their respective Battles of the Bulge!

For new faves like Iñigo Pascual, Jana Agoncillo, Lyca Gairanod, Liza Soberano, James Reid and Nadine Lustre, mentors and handlers who know how to turn their initial success into career-long advantage, instead of frittering it away with unproductive gambits and so-called makeovers.

For comebacking stars and love teams like Dawn Zulueta-Richard Gomez, Marvin Agustin-Jolina Magdangal and Nora Aunor-Tirso Cruz III, “reunion” projects that will showcase how much and well they’ve matured as performers.

Plum part

Even more specifically, for Eddie Garcia, the actual filming of the long-delayed film, “Sentensiyado,” before its too late for him to do full justice to the plum part. For Nora, an acting showcase that’s better than the films she’s been starring in of late.

A new musical starrer for Mitch Valdes, to remind everyone of the brilliant but underappreciated musical-theater gem we have in her.

For KC Concepcion, a good lead role in an exceptional film, to prove that she shouldn’t be relegated to kontrabida roles—even if she does them well.

For John Lloyd Cruz, a funnier sitcom than his current TV starrer. For Bea Alonzo, a challenging dramatic film role, to quickly follow up on her hit TV series.

For Ryan Cayabyab, following up on the recent “Ryan, Ryan, Musikahan” special, the actual return of his weekly TV musical showcase, to develop a new crop of gifted performers—still with Leo Rialp directing.

For Boots Anson-Roa and King Rodrigo, may you keep happily smiling—and widely grinning—until your jaw muscles ache. —And may we also share the exhilarating secret of your septuagenarian union!

For the viewing public, a firm and unfond farewell to the Colonial Mentality that has kept our arts and nation from truly coming into their own.

And, while we’re at it, a stronger appreciation and more dynamic use of the collective Viewer Power that we should wield—to finally get the entertainment and information services we deserve!