For Kapuso viewers, nothing says, “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas” better than the unveiling of the much-anticipated GMA Christmas station ID every year.
Now that we’ve been staying at home more often, watching the Christmas station ID for the first time — whether on TV or online — somehow feels like witnessing a Christmas tree lighting ceremony, where everyone gathers around and watches it together.
This year, GMA Network’s Christmas message is “Love Together, Hope Together,” which reminds everyone that the season will always be brighter and better if Filipinos are together. Just like how viewers are touched by this simple yet powerful message, Kapuso stars also share their personal stories on how they express their love and remain hopeful despite all the adversities that come their way.
Michael V.: “Just being with them, it’s the time that you give for them. Attend to all their needs at all times and be in those moments na tahimik kasi during those quiet times, dun mo nararamdaman yung pagmamahal ng tao kahit walang sinasabi sa’yo.”
Alden Richards: “Ever since the pandemic started it’s always about counting your blessings. Kasi there’s a lot of things to be thankful for. There are so many people dying every day, a lot of people getting tired every day. Ano pa bang i-co-complain mo sa buhay mo? What you can do is to do your part. Make yourself available for service.”
Tom Rodriguez: “Kahit malayo pa yung tatahakin natin as a country, I still remain hopeful na hindi tayo nagsa-stagnate because kahit maliit man yan na progreso o malaki, the most important part is we’re taking steps. Kaya would always make me hopeful for a better Philippines.”
Jasmine Curtis-Smith: “This year, I remain hopeful because nabiyayaan ako ng trabaho, ng magandang project and with that, I think it’s enough to look forward to more blessings because when you’re given one, the Lord doesn’t stop there. I believe there’s so much more in store for us.”
Julie Anne San Jose: “I always look on the bright side of things. We are in this situation, where we don’t have any control of, but we do have control over our emotions, our feelings, and our decisions. To be hopeful is always a choice. You have to choose to be hopeful kasi ikaw din naman yung mag-be-benefit niyan in the long run and at the same time, it will affect everyone around you.”
Barbie Forteza: “Personally, nagkaroon din ako ng matinding experience within my family (because) of COVID. So, talagang ‘yun ‘yung pinakamahirap for us. What gives you hope is yung alam mong maraming nagmamahal sa’yo, marami yung sumusuporta sa’yo. So, ikaw hindi ka rin susuko.”
Bianca Umali: “I think it’s the simple gestures that count for me the most. Whether just a simple three-second call or maybe a simple thought of sending each other food.”
Rocco Nacino: “I express my love by being a ‘nagger.’ To my relatives, to my friends, especially to my family. Every time they post photos and I see they were not doing things properly, the nurse in me comes out. I would always send them a message, ‘Hey, mali suot mo ng mask, doblehin mo mask mo, maintain social distancing,’ lalo na maraming may edad na sa clan namin.”
Ben Alves: “Staying connected with friends and family and knowing they’re managing just as I am really helped me feel hopeful. When times were getting a bit dim, just having someone to rely on really helps.”
Mark Herras: “I make it a point na kinukuha ko lahat ng trabahong pwede kong gawin for GMA to provide for my family, sa asawa ko, sa anak ko. At talagang pinapakita ko sa kanila kung paano ko sila inaalagaan sa pang araw-araw na buhay.”
Aicelle Santos: “Seeing my baby gives me hope. It’s her life that matters most now. It’s her future that matters most now. And when you talk about her future, you want it to be beautiful and you want her to experience wonderful things in life. That makes me hopeful.”
Mikee Quintos: “There are so many reasons to remain hopeful, if you just choose to open your eyes. Napansin ko yung mga mas masayang tao, they have their own way of facing what’s happening. Happiness is a state of mind. If you decide to be happy, you can be happy. At the end of the day, it’s what you allow yourself to affect you.”
Gil Cuerva: “Knowing that more and more people are getting vaccinated, the restrictions are easing up, and the fact that we no longer need to use face shields gives me hope that slowly things will go back to normal. The mere fact that GMA is renewing my contract, is giving me a lot of hope for the future. It’s inspiring me to do better because it means that they believe in me.”
Kate Valdez: “Knowing that I’m with my family, that keeps me strong and that inspires me to be more mindful and thankful din sa mga dumarating sa aking blessings, maliit man yan o malaki. I really appreciate having them sa tabi ko at kumpleto kami. Malaking bagay yun for me. At nagbibigay sa akin yun ng hope.”
Kelvin Miranda: “I-ne-express ko yung pagmamahal ko sa kanila through respect. Kasi yun naman yung mahalaga na ipakita sa tao para maparamdam mo na mahal mo sila.”
Watch GMA Network’s 2021 Christmas Station ID on GMA’s official Facebook and YouTube accounts, or on the official website www.gmanetwork.com.