We at KUBO know how Filipinos, wherever they are in the world, always want to keep tabs on what Pinoy celebrities are doing. Our staff members have been getting countless requests, especially from Pinoys based abroad, for more celebrity features on KUBO—perhaps because it makes them feel still connected to home.
So, in time for Christmas weekend—and as KUBO’s Christmas gift to you, our beloved kababayans based abroad—we asked several of your favorite celebrities to share where they will be spending the holidays, who they will be with, and what they’ll be doing. Maybe this can give Pinoys currently visiting PH an idea where they can catch their favorite celebs in the country. Or maybe, it would simply be heartwarming to know that some of their favorite stars celebrate Christmas like they do—whether at home (Team Bahay) or on vacation (Team Bakasyon).
Team Bahay
For these artistas, celebrating Christmas is all about upholding traditions while making new memories at home with the family:
Piolo Pascual
The award-winning actor and ultimate heartthrob, who has been at the top of every celeb wishlist we get at KUBO, told us he will be spending Christmas in the country for the first time after two decades. “I used to take time off during the holidays, pero for the first time in 21 years [I’m busy with Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF)]; my first MMFF was Dekada ‘70, so it’s been more than 20 years. I was hoping against hope na hindi makasama ang Mallari sa MMFF para makapagbakasyon (that Mallari won’t make it to the MMFF so I could take a vacation), but things happen for a reason. Now we have Warner Bros.”
Piolo stars in the MMFF entry, horror-thriller Mallari, which also happens to be the first local film to be distributed by Warner Bros. It’s inspired by the life of Fr. Juan Severino Mallari, the country’s first documented serial killer, who killed 57 parishioners during the 1800s in Magalang, Pampanga.
Piolo adds, “Bakasyon ko? May countdown ako sa (December) 31, so January 1 na simula ng bakasyon ko.” (My break? I will be joining a countdown on (Dec.) 31, so January 1 will be the start of my vacation.)
Sharon Cuneta
Speaking before the media during the press conference for her MMFF film with Alden Richards, Family of Two, the Megastar said, “Simple lang kami mag-Pasko (we have a simple Christmas). It’s always Noche Buena with my immediate family. But it will be the first Christmas that KC will be spending with her Papa (Gabby Concepcion). I’m a little sad, but I’m happy for them.”
The actress also shared details of how her family usually spends the holidays: “On Christmas Eve, nagdadasal kami, then mag-o-open ng konti lang na gifts, kasi the next morning na talaga ‘yung mga gifts.” (We pray, then open a few gifts, because we really open all our gifts the next morning.)
Sharon also reiterated during the media event her appeal to send donations to the animal shelter she supports instead of giving her gifts. “Hiningi ko talaga sa Instagram ko na ‘yung talagang gustong mag-gift sa akin this Christmas and sa birthday ko, to [just] donate to Pawssion Project (I really asked on Instagram from those who really want to give me gifts this Christmas and on my birthday to just donate to Pawssion Project). It would mean so much more kahit any little amount.”
Photo courtesy of Cineko Productions
Vilma Santos
The Star for All Seasons and former Batangas governor told KUBO in an exclusive interview, “I will be spending the holidays here in the Philippines, as all my siblings and relatives will be coming home. We will have a family Christmas bonding, and [it’s] also the best time to watch and enjoy our entry in the MMFF, When I Met You In Tokyo.” Gov. Vi or Ate Vi, as she is fondly called, will be starring in the romantic film with her perennial onscreen partner, Christopher de Leon. (Watch for more of our interview, including details about the movie and their onscreen partnership, in our special Vilma feature, coming next week.)
Asked what are some of her family’s Christmas traditions, Gov. Vi answers, “We have old school holiday traditions such as exchange gift, Noche Buena with the whole family, and definitely praying together as a family as we celebrate the holidays.”
Photo courtesy of JG Productions
Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera
The superstar couple is staying home for the holidays. Marian shares, “Wala kaming bakasyon, may parade kasi kami and tour ng mga sinehan. Sa 24 (Christmas Eve), may get-together, may potluck ng mga favorite food and kasama pa rin ang family.” (We don’t have a vacation because we have a parade and cinema tour. On the 24th, we will have a get-together, there will be a potluck of our favorite food with our family.)
Dingdong and Marian are the lead stars of heart-wrenching time-travel film Rewind, the official entry of ABS-CBN’s Star Cinema at this year’s MMFF. Rewind is the couple’s big screen comeback movie and their first collaboration with the film outfit.
Dingdong adds, “‘Pag Pasko, looking forward talaga na magkasama-sama kami ng pamilya. Pupunta muna kami sa mga in-laws ko sa Cavite, and then babalik kami sa bahay. Ganoon talaga kami.” (Every Christmas, we really look forward to being together with the family. We go first to my in-laws in Cavite, and then we go back home. That’s how we really are).
Matteo Guidicelli
The actor and husband of Pinoy pop star and actress Sarah Geronimo says he’s staying put for the holidays. “[Our] holiday plan is watching Penduko with friends and family. Since it’s my first MMFF, we are ready to hit the cinemas!”
Matteo stars as Penduko in the action-fantasy film about the legendary Pinoy superhero based on the original Pinoy comics character created by National Artist Francisco V. Conching, and the official entry of Viva Films, Epik Studios, Sari Sari Network, Studio Viva, and Ninuno Media to MMFF. Matteo even performs arnis for this film.
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Albert Martinez
The veteran actor, who is also part of the Penduko cast, is looking forward to spending Christmas with his family, especially with his grandchildren. “This year I will just be in town with my son Alfonso’s family. I will take a break from work and enjoy being a lolo (grandfather) to my apos (grandchildren).”
Jackie Lou Blanco
The fitness enthusiast and actress, who is part of the Family of Two cast, reveals that Christmas is a time for their family to get together. “‘Pag Christmas, we usually spend it with my mom (veteran singer Pilita Corrales), kasama sila Monching (actor Ramon Christopher) and ‘yung mga anak namin. It’s really more with family.”
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Team Bakasyon
These celebrities will try to squeeze a quick getaway in their schedule, just to get some rest, fresh air, and quality time with friends and family in a different locale.
Alden Richards
The actor disclosed his holiday plans during the press conference of his MMFF movie, Family of Two: “Theater tour po, tapos dinner with family. Tatapusin ko lang po ‘yung season ng MMFF dahil aalis po ako for my birthday. (I just need to finish the MMFF season because I will be away for my birthday). I will be taking a two-week break in the US with my family,” says Alden. The GMA-7 star will turn 32 on January 2.
Photo courtesy of Cineko Productions
Pokwang
The versatile comedienne, who will play one of the titular characters in the MMFF entry Becky and Badette, is spending holidays at the beach. “Sa Camaya muna kami, sa beach house, kasi hindi pa tapos ‘yung bahay na pinapaayos ko. Doon muna kami sa Camaya magpa-Pasko at Bagong Taon.” (We will stay at the beach house in Camaya since our house is still being renovated. That’s where we’ll spend Christmas and New Year in the meantime.)
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Eugene Domingo
The multi-awarded comedienne will be busier than usual this Christmas season, as she promotes her movie, Becky and Badette, where she plays the other titular character alongside Pokwang. “Focused ako sa promotions for Becky and Badette, pero after MMFF, I’m thinking of visiting an Asian country, probably Malaysia, while it’s not yet hot.”
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Romnick Sarmenta
The veteran actor may be busy this Yuletide season, as he joins promotions for The IdeaFirst Company’s comedy film, Becky and Badette, where he is a cast member; yet Romnick shares with KUBO that “I’m at the mercy of finding out kung ano’ng plano ng mga anak ko (what the plans of my children are). I want to make sure we are all together. That’s the only thing I plan—to have a number of days spent with my family. So it doesn’t matter whether it’s here or somewhere else, basta magkakasama kami (as long as we are together).”
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JC Santos
While many plan to stay at home this Christmas, Mallari star JC Santos believes this is the best time to treat his wife to a getaway. “We usually do a lot of staycation kasi wala kaming yaya ng wife ko (because we don’t have a nanny). Tini-treat ko siya lagi everywhere para ako naman mag-aalaga sa baby namin (I treat her everywhere, so I can be the one to take care of our baby). This time we will be in Tagaytay.”
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Gloria Diaz
During the Mallari media conference last December 1, the former beauty queen and veteran actress shared that she will take a beauty rest this Christmas. “Ako, chill lang sa bahay ni Piolo sa beach (I’ll just chill at Piolo’s house by the beach), and then I’m going to watch Mallari,” where she portrays the mother of the murderous priest played by Piolo.
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Kylie Versoza
“I’m spending the holidays with family on a cruise” was the short but sweet response of the Penduko actress when KUBO asked about her holiday plans.
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John Arcilla
The Penduko actor, who is arguably most famously known for his portrayal of the titular character in the critically-acclaimed historical film Heneral Luna, plans to go abroad before or after New Year. “Just here in the Philippines with my family [for now, then] I might fly to Guam either before or after New Year. Just a short holiday with relatives,” John tells KUBO.
The internationally-acclaimed actor and Venice Film Festival awardee also shares, “I just had my short break last December 2 to 5 and stayed at my place in El Nido, Palawan. It is called Casa Heneral. I might fly to New York around May or early June for another short break with some friends and family.”
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Which celeb’s holiday plans are similar to yours? Which artistas do you hope to see on your PH visit? Tell us in the comments section of KUBO’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
