Capturing the season of giving in GMA Christmas Short Films

CEBU, Philippines - GMA Network continues to touch hearts this Christmas season as it unveils its latest collection of GMA Christmas Short Films.

Now on its ninth year, the annual film festival carries on its tradition of bringing the Filipino audience heartwarming and uplifting stories that embody the essence of the Christmas season, with each film focusing on how Christmas is made more meaningful because of the people we share it with.

The iconic jeepney and the wealth of relationships attached to it figure in this year’s Christmas short films, lending a distinctly Filipino element to each story. Kapuso artists such as Benjamin Alves, Bettina Carlos, Kevin Santos, Joshen Bernardo and Miguel Tanfelix play central roles in tales of inspiration and hope.

Featuring rising teen star Miguel Tanfelix, the film “Regalo,” produced in tandem with Yakult, shows us that every good deed — no matter how small, can create an impact in the hearts of those around us. Witness a community give back and share what they have with their beloved Nay Lorna, a Yakult vendor who has touched their lives in one way or another.

In “Happiest Pinoy,” GMA, in partnership with Cebuana Lhuillier, shares the true to life stories of Rommel Arellano and Winston Maxino. These two amazing men are living examples; that despite illness or physical defects, one can overcome their own obstacles and choose to live extraordinarily happy lives.

For the film “Santa,” GMA teams up with Lady’s Choice in a film featuring Kapuso artists Bettina Carlos and Kevin Santos. The film recounts a funny, heartwarming story about a little boy who sets out to discover whether Santa is real or not. What he uncovers in the end is far more important than what he initially starts to investigate.

In “Sorpresa,” GMA partners with KFC in telling the story of a young doctor who leaves his comfort zone in order to serve in a provincial hospital and attend to underprivileged patients. Separated from his family, Doc Louie finds a home away from home through a patient and his family who give him a heartfelt surprise on Christmas Eve. Catch Kapuso hunk Benjamin Alves in his portrayal of Doc Louie in this feel-good film.

Fostering family ties and friendships, GMA also encourages its viewers to share the love this season with a unique feature that allows social media users to add a personal touch to their favorite Christmas short films. Users are now able to write and attach a special message at the end of each film and share it with their loved ones on their social media accounts.

Watch and be inspired as GMA unveils more of these heartwarming stories this December.

Over the years, the GMA Christmas Short Films have garnered numerous accolades from international award giving bodies such as AD STARS and Spark Awards and local award giving bodies such as Araw Values Awards, Catholic Mass Media Awards, UA&P Tambuli Awards, and Panata.

Viewers may share in the Christmas joy by viewing the films through the website, www.gmanetwork.com/GMAShortFilms. For updates, like the Facebook page, www.facebook.com/GMAShortFilms. (PR) (FREEMAN)