Celebrities Fondest Christmas Memories

(This is taken from the December 24, 2008 issue of Inquirer Libre (Showbuzz section) and is compiled by Ms. Dolly Ann Carvajal.)

I know this is showbiz and those of you who know me personally think that it’s not in my personality to include (much more write) anything about show business. But let us admit it…celebrity news are pretty much addicting.

Cesar Montano: “My unforgettable Christmas was during my growing up years in Sta. Ana. From age 6, I would go Christmas caroling house to house from Sta. Ana all the way to San Juan. I was carrying the most famous musical instrument (made up of bottle lids) (the local version of a tambourine). As an adult in 1986 in Bohol, my cousins and I went caroling after the midnight mass. We had a great time even though we were chased by dogs 3 times. We finished at 3AM. At the break of dawn, we went to Baluarte and swam in the sea.”

Rufa Mae Quinto: “It was such a delight as a lid to hang socks on the stairs of our house with my Christmas wish list even if I knew it was my uncle who would buy the things I wanted. I also have fond memories of caroling. As an adult, I cherish my first white Christmas in Michigan. I also look forward to the yearly MMFF and the parade of the stars because it has been my panata to give laughter to the Filipinos on Christmas Day.”

Ogie Alcasid: “On Christmas morning when I was 5 years old, my Mom woke me up and Santa had delivered his Christmas present. As an adult, it makes me happiest seeing my kids open their Christmas gifts.”

Christian Baustista: “As a kid, I’ll never forget the Christmas when my cousins and I got our first Tamiya cars and we raced them non-stop. Now I feel happy deep inside every time I see my nieces and nephews play around the Christmas tree.”

Mariel Rodriguez: “My happiest Christmas as a kid was when I got the little mermaid doll I always wanted. As an adult, I felt the Christmas spirit the most when I was inside the PBB house.”

Jed Madela: “My happiest Christmas as a child was when my cousins and I lined up to get the crisp five peso bills from our grandma. As an adult, it was when I shared my blessings with the aged in Anawim last week. It was in honor of my grandma. Now it’s my turn to give back and spread around the crisp bills. But of course, it’s not just five pesos (laughs).”

I also have compiled the unforgettable Christmas memories of the INTERNATIONAL stars:

Ian Bacani: “The Christmases that I spent (and will still be spending) with my husband Levis and my baby Lian.”

Yel Porciuncula: “That will be the last Christmas that my family spent together with my grandpa before he was taken by the Lord. And last year’s Christmas (2007) when we had our costume party.”

Ems Escabarte: “Every Christmas is a special one especially when my Mom and Dad greet me “Merry Christmas” because I can feel their unconditional love.”

Miles Faustino: “My Christmases has always been ordinary. Maybe, I still need to find the person to build those special/fondest moments with me (grins).”

Vern Bocalan: "It would be the Christmas Eve of 2005. It happened that our house was being renovated that was why we ended up celebrating the occasion on my grandma's place. It was really unforgettable since that was the first time that I celebrated Christmas with my cousins.”

And of course, this would not be complete without my coolest Christmas memory.

Aeia: “Being a Christmas person that I am, every Christmas has always been special. I can still remember staying up real late on Christmas Eve so that I, together with my family can go to church and hear the mass. And on Christmas day itself, I look forward to the gifts that I will be receiving. As an adult (ewww!), I will never forget the yearly get together parties that I and my friends do. How can I forget the time that we went to Luneta and gave the street children food, candies and slippers? What about the day that we spent our Christmas in the charity ward of the UST hospital? Though this year, it will be different since there are only 3 of us left here in the Philippines, I still know that it will be fun. Thanks to modern technology! Sam, Ned, Ace and Aron, we really miss you. The 3 of us are looking forward to the Christmas when our “barkada” will do those things again, all 7 of us.”

I guess, what I’m trying to say is that we can make everyday a special day. All we needed is to do an Act of Random Kindness whenever we can. Right, Evan Almighty?

Christmas Day

It’s Christmas day!!

Had I written this days ago, there will not be any exclamation point in the fist sentence since I thought my Christmas this year will be lonely…or let’s say that I expected it to be less “merry” compared to years back.

A week before Christmas, I decided to leave my job. Though I am still with the company serving a 30 day notice, this gave me a lot of stress since I needed money (hey, who doesn’t??). I was thinking of expenses…of the things my friends and family would say once they hear of my “grown up” decision…and of course my future.

And as early as now, I am already budgeting anything that I will be receiving as part of my last pay. I needed to save everything I can since I do not know up until when I will be jobless once I leave my current job. This means STRESS.

Last Christmases, I was the one waking my sister so that we can do the final preparation. We need to double check if we were able to wrap gifts for all our godchildren and for the kids in the neighborhood. But this time, it’s the other way around. I was not feeling the Christmas spirit.

We opened the gate at around 9:30AM since our “patronizers” were already “hovering” outside. When my 5 year old niece started giving gifts (yes, she’s our little Santa), that’s the time that I realized that I need not worry and enjoy the moment.

It really felt good to see the faces of those little angels! Their eyes twinkle whenever they were given anything be it candies, gifts, money…

I know that my problem will not go away and I need to face it sooner than I think. But one thing’s for sure, we/I can still enjoy this blessed day whatever problems we/I are/am facing.

And also, I will have a movie date tomorrow. I can’t wait! I’m 100% sure that I will enjoy my Mom’s company. See you at the movies!

Text Messages

Here are but a few of the Christmas greetings (text messages that is) that I received this Christmas:

“Christmas is the day of the year to heartily remember God’s unconditional love for all of us when He sent His only son (Jesus) to save us and give us life filled with love, hope, peace and joy.”

“May you and your family experience love, peace and happiness not only this season but throughout the New Year.”

“May good things always come your way
c”,) good health
c”,) good mood
c”,) good thoughts
c”,) good work
c”,) good memories
c”,) good friends”

and this is one of my favorites:

C-hrist gave
H-imself as
R-eward so that
I-ndividual know the
S-acrifices
T-hat He did for
M-ankind to
A-chieve the gift of
S-alvation

Amen! =)

Happy Holidays everyone!

Fish Fillet

I have a 5 year old niece whose imagination is limitless.

Yesterday, she was able to find a silver chain. Since her imagination is so strong, she started playing with it. Holding one end on her fingers and then tossing it to the ground, she was imaging objects being formed with it. She said that the chain resembles a mermaid. Next, she said that it looked like a dinosaur. And finally, it resembled like a fish. This was the time that she asked me what kind of fish it was.

Preoccupied of what’s going on with my life, I told her that that was a very special one. I don’t want to give her goldfish, fighter fish etc since these are so ordinary. Then finally, I gave up. She was waiting for my answer and I can’t think of anything. With less brain cells working, I just told her the first word that came up to my mind.

She was so happy when I told her what the name of that fish was. She ran outside and asked her mom to buy her that fish and put it in her aquarium. It was so funny since she kept on saying “Mommy, I want this fish! Please buy me one so that I can take care of it!”

I guess you already know what name I told her. Yes, it was fish fillet!

twilight

Finally, after 3 weeks I was able to watch the most talked about movie of the year!

My officemate Carol was the one who introduced me Twilight. She actually has copies of the books downloaded somewhere and she and her group mates were all reading this. Since I am not into reading books much more the one in pdf format, I asked her what Twilight is all about (just wanting myself to have a reason to read it). She said that that is the love story of a vampire and a human. Pretty interesting huh! She also informed me that Twilight is already a movie and it will be shown in a few weeks. That gave me an alibi not to read it since I am a visual person and I’d rather wait for it to be on the wide screen (alive and sipping blood)!

Then came the big day! My friends watched it on it’s first week of showing (some of them on the first day!). All of them were swept by Bella and Edward’s love story. I was intrigued since my good friend Miles even said that she wanted a vampire for a boyfriend!

Last Saturday, I was able to see it for myself. After a dinner with my college friends, Malen and I decided to go see it.

After 2 hours of sitting down, I found myself wanting more. Maybe I was too tired that day that’s why I did not appreciate the movie that much. Maybe it was because I did not have my eyeglasses with me (being a visual person that I am), I was not satisfied with what I saw.

But one thing’s for sure, I will buy a copy of that movie so that I can watch it over again. I know that someday, I will be able to appreciate all the love and hard work that they put making that movie.