More blue Christmases

Last Thursday, Funfare put out the “blue Christmas” recollections of 12 celebrities. Here are some more:

• Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte: All my four Christmases as a college student at the Ateneo were all blue. If referring to “saddest,” however, my bluest Christmas was the first one I spent after my mother, Betty Go Belmonte, passed away. Not only was it the first one in which she was not with me but it was also the first one spent away from my family because I decided not to come home for Christmas while I was in Grad School in London in order to save money.

James Yap and his five-month-old daughter Francesca Michelle.

• James Yap: Dapat every Christmas ay masaya kasi Christmas is for and with the family, di ba? No, I won’t have a blue Christmas this year. Masaya pa rin naman kahit na…’yon na nga!

Three generations, from left: Roselle Monteverde, her mom Mother Lily Monteverde and daughter Brigitte.

• Roselle Monteverde: This is something I want to think about because as far back as I can remember, my saddest Christmas was when I was nine years old. I wanted to have a walking doll as a gift from my parents but I never got it. However, after that all my Christmases have been wonderful.

Carlo J. Caparas at the grave of his wife Donna Villa (inset) at a memorial park in Cebu.

• Carlo J. Caparas: After Donna’s farewell, dark blue has been the color of my every Christmas. (Carlo’s wife Donna Villa died of cancer on Jan. 17, 2017.)

• McDonald’s Philippines president George Yang: My “bluest” Christmas was in 1985. My father passed away in November that year. For the first time, the family was not complete to celebrate Christmas.

McDonald’s Philippines president George Yang at his recent concert with guest performer Martin Nievera.

• Qualibet CEO/philanthropist Pinky Tobiano: My bluest Christmas was the year when both my Mom and I had cancer together. Seeing how my family was hurting and in pain, hiding their tears from us, as they were trying to be strong for me and my mom…that was my bluest Christmas. But today, my Mom and I are both survivors because of my family’s love…the greatest miracle of Christmas.

Qualibet CEO Pinky Tobiano with Christian Bautista and Kat Ramnani during the couple’s reception at the Manila Hotel on Dec. 2 for friends who were not able to attend their wedding in Bali, Indonesia, last Nov. 17.

• Kuh Ledesma: The bluest Christmas for me was when I was already separated from Louie (Gonzalez) and I let (our daughter) Isabella spend Christmas with him because they didn’t see each other much. It was the only lonely Christmas for me but now, having Christ in my life, I hardly get sad no matter what the occasion is. It is in believing that He (Jesus) will never leave me nor forsake me.

• Tacloban City Mayor Cristina Gonzales-Romualdez: Blue Christmas would be if I am away from my family. For me, Christmas is for family representing the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem and the Holy Family.

• Ai-Ai delas Alas: Hindi Pasko ang  bluest ko but New Year because my father died on Dec. 31 and my mother naman Dec. 30. I see to it na masaya ang Pasko namin kasi birthday ni Lord. Christmas is my and my children’s favorite time of the year.

• Gabby Concepcion: I was away from the Philippines for 13 years. I came home to see my father and was hoping to spend Christmas with him for the first time in 13 years. He died in September that year.

From Left: Tacloban City Mayor Cristina Gonzales-Romualdez, Ai-Ai delas Alas, Gabby Concepcion, Ruffa Gutierrez, Kuh Ledesma, Jaclyn Jose, Albie Casiño and Kyline Alcantara.

• Ruffa Gutierrez: My bluest Christmases were those I spent in Istanbul, Turkey, without my family by my side. My ex-husband never celebrated Christmas so it was naturally a lonely time for me. I would always look forward to visits from my parents and talk to them every day. Mas masaya ang Pasko sa Pilipinas! There’s really no place like home. (Ruffa’s marriage to Yilmaz Bektas was annulled.)

• Kyline Alcantara: My first ever Christmas here in Manila was my bluest kasi galing po ako ng Bicol at sanay ako that I would be with my grandparents every Christmas. But when I got here and I celebrated my first Christmas without them, nanibago po ako at na-miss ko sila. Na-miss ko po ’yung aginaldo nila, hehehe!!!, mga luto nila every Christmas, mga yakap nila. I really miss them po.

• Albie Casiño: My bluest Christmas was easily in 2010. My (paternal) grandpa Daddy Ben died on Dec. 14 and Christmas has never been the same since then.

Quantum Films producer lawyer Joji Alonso with Jessy Mendiola and Jericho Rosales, stars of The Girl in Orange Dress, her company’s 2018 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry

• Joji Alonso: My bluest Christmas was when I spent half of the day lending support to a client who was imprisoned for a non-bailable crime. Even if the people there tried to make things appear normal (sharing food, laughing, etc.), ramdam mong mabigat ang pakiramdam. I was specifically affected by the innocent children who didn’t even understand what was going on.

• Jaclyn Jose: This is my bluest Christmas. You could not imagine how blue it is. It’s dark.

Mother Lily’s Christmas message

Meanwhile, here’s Regal Matriarch Lily Monteverde’s message delivered Thursday night during the company’s Bohemian Rhapsody-themed Christmas party for the movie press at the Regal Events Place in Quezon City:

In the so many decades that Regal Films has provided joy and entertainment to the Filipino audience, we have always considered ourselves as part of each and every family.

It was and will always be a great honor to be lovingly called a “mother” because that is the way I would like industry colleagues to see me. No, I am not just a boss giving instructions, signing checks or occasionally berating my subordinates for tasks that needed correction. I am a “mother” because we all care and take care of each other.  There will always be good times as there will be bad --- but the love we have for our work and our peers can only come with mutual trust.

In this season of sharing and reminding ourselves of the importance of gratitude, let us re-examine ourselves as part of one big family of film artists, technicians --- or simply lovers of cinema. Let us be grateful for our blessings — and not give emphasis to things that we do not have or still desire. Instead, focus on what has been given to us, not in terms of material possessions but the friendship and love we share with one another.

No one is poor that way. No one is alone. I have always emphasized that Regal Entertainment’s secret formula for decades of success and sustenance is the personal relationship shared by its workers — going over and beyond the importance of professional expertise.

Nowadays, times are so confusing. The world is so angry. People are so divided. But as long as we are together and hold onto each other working hard for better years to come, the Regal Family will move on and flourish. That is why I am proud to be a Mother. There is no greater joy than to see my children grow up and make the world a far better place. 

A peaceful and love-filled Christmas to all.

Love,

Mother Lily Monteverde

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)