Celebs share what they are most grateful for in 2023
MANILA, Philippines — The year 2023 is officially coming to a close and it was quite a ride for these celebrities. They expressed what they’re thankful for this year and what they’re looking forward to in 2024, both in their careers and personal lives.
Vilma Santos: “I thank the industry na kahit paano ay may tiwala pa rin with all the scripts that I have now with different productions who want me to do movies, but I chose When I Met You In Tokyo (as) comeback. Even if this is the only thing I did for the year, but the mere fact that I got many offers, that’s a big deal for me.So, as an artist, it was a very good year for me.
“(In terms of public service) hindi ako tumakbo but my husband is still a congressman. But the concern with what’s happening is still there. Hindi maalis yun. Our economy, the inflation kasi kasama yan, kaya rin bumagsak (yung film industry)... ang mahal ng bigas, I mean, paano nga naman babalik ang tao sa sinehan?
“But overall, it was a good year. Definitely not very good for everybody when it comes to way of living… So, this 2024, I’m praying na sana makabawi yung ekonomiya natin kasi dyan nanggagaling ang lahat… sana mga tao makabawi… including the industry.
“Nakita ko na yung sigla ng industriya (this Metro Manila Film Festival). I’m very, very happy, but I hope the enthusiasm and the excitement will last because the filmmaking never stops, right? And to all our audiences, I hope they will be inspired again to watch movies in theaters because the experience is still different.”
Dolly de Leon: “I’m most grateful for discovering so many new things about myself: The limitations I unknowingly set on myself and how I took myself too seriously (unnecessarily). Now, I’m looking forward to throwing all that away and starting fresh. Just enjoy work for what it is and make the most of what it brings me.”
Iza Calzado: “Di naman maipagkakaila, first of all, I’m very grateful for my daughter (Deia Amihan). I’m very grateful to God for blessing us with our happy, healthy and energetic daughter.”
Dingdong Dantes: “2023 is the busiest year of my life. Kasi nagpatong-patong talaga mga commitments. Hindi naman sa sinasadya pero dahil yung mga past works na hindi nagawa, dun talaga nagtipon-tipon. But I also am very grateful that I was able to pull it off and my health didn’t suffer. At the same time, nakapag-produce pa ng ganitong klaseng movie (MMFF film Rewind) and a TV show (Royal Blood) that I’m very proud of.”
Juan Karlos “JK” Labajo: “I feel like 2023 has been the same as 2022, 2021 and 2020. I mean all, you have summer, you have the whole year, you have all these ups and downs. There is no such thing as a perfect day. And I guess that’s the beauty of it.
“What I’m most grateful for is to be surrounded by people who are not scared and are being honest with me. And being able to be surrounded by people who are willing to call me up if I make something like a stupid decision, for example. That’s what I’m really most grateful for, having my family and my friends, and that’s about it, honestly.”
Michelle Dee: “Every year my goal is — it sounds simple but it’s not really simple — to become better and find growth. Of course, 2023 was a year of struggles and triumphs, and everything on repeat. I’ve learned not to give myself such a strict timeline that by tomorrow I need to finish this, or tomorrow, I have to finish that… I see my goals as very introspective na I just wanted to end my year so much better than I ended my last year. Because that’s how I measure success — contentment, happiness which for me are the best luxuries in life. But this is years in the making to get to this point. To be specific since 2017, when I started considering pageantry. And grabe po yung growth ko overall.
“Again, 2023, has been a rollercoaster ride of emotions and if anything, I’ve just learned to walk the talk and utilize the platform that God has given me to better the lives of people in the autism spectrum, to utilize my creativity and voice… to really empower as many people as I can.
“Ang dami kong exciting projects coming out, from teleseryes to movies. Of course, endorsements. Unfortunately, I’m not allowed to announce them yet so just wait for next year.”
Paolo Contis: “I’m very thankful and very blessed with what I have. Some would say I don’t deserve the blessing. Maybe not. But at least, I got it and I’m making sure na masulit ko yun at maipakita ang pasasalamat ko sa Panginoon by doing my best to pay it forward, to bless other people.
“Perhaps, thankful din ako sa fact that the industry I’m working in gives importance to my professionalism and not my personal problems. I’m very thankful for that because professionally I really believe that I work my a** off and they get what they pay for. I make sure that they’re able to see that.”
Christian Bables: “I am grateful because my loved ones are still complete. Nowadays, on social media, I see many friends who have left us for good. It makes me so thankful that my family, my loved ones, my friends — my real friends — are still here. They’re intact and complete. I guess that’s what I’m most thankful for, aside from all the blessings I received this year. I can’t express enough gratitude for the blessings given to me this 2023.
“Next year… I’d be very excited if ever I get offered to do a kontrabida character. My heart and soul are screaming for it. I’ll see to it that this kontrabida will be loved by people. And basta, they can expect something from me and Jennica Garcia, hopefully, first quarter of 2024.”
Matteo Guidicelli: “Great things happened in 2023, but also with a lot of challenges, ups and downs. I think every year prepares us for the next to make it bigger and brighter.
“We have a lot of goals and plans for 2024, on cam and off cam, family-wise also. We’re working to achieve them. Hopefully, all these things materialize for the better. Not just for us, but also for the family and all who have been with us.
“2024 looks promising. My work with GMA News and Public Affairs continues and Viva has also announced that (my wife) Sarah and I will be having a movie that will shoot first quarter next year.”
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