Celebs unwrap their favorite childhood Christmas memories

MANILA, Philippines — Every Christmas, we create memorable moments with our family and loved ones as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on the 25th of December.

But what are those Christmas memories from your childhood that really stood out for you and have also influenced your holiday traditions to this day?

The Philippine STAR has compiled answers from local celebrities about their favorite Christmas memories from childhood, along with the values they learned and carried into adulthood, celebrating the festive season with their own families.

From opening presents to spending noche buena with family and friends, these showbiz personalities revisited Christmas celebrations of their childhood:

John Arcilla: “I remember when we were young, usually I’d do like Kris Kringle with family members, with friends (and) with extended family. Our family is clannish so usually we do Kris Kringle with cousins… Sobrang saya sa akin nun na every week, there’s theme or every day, there’s theme kung ano yung ibibigay mo (and) kung anong mare-receive mo. It was exciting for me kung ano yung mare-receive mo and kung ano yung mabibigay mo, just the small things, it’s not something expensive.

“And then when Santa Claus — I believed in Santa Claus before — actually gave me a guitar. And that was also the time, that Christmas, when I discovered that Santa Claus was actually my mom because before the guitar was given to me, I heard from one of my friends, my cousin’s friend, that my mother and my sister were actually looking for a guitar in the market. Haha! After the noche buena, I saw the guitar and so, ‘Ah… so… you are my Santa Clauses.’”

Iza Calzado: “I don’t know what year that was but we were complete. My brother was home already from Canada. It was really a good time. The Christmas tree was white and there were apples on the tree. And my parents gave me a rainbow bright…violet doll. And then we picked it up. Sabi nila hindi daw yun gift. So parang sabi ko, ‘Siguro gift yan.’ I was very young. After that, I think a few years after that, my parents split... But there were a lot of other good Christmas celebrations as well. But that was, I think, very special.”

Dingdong Dantes: “I’m looking forward na magsama-sama kami na family every Christmas. That’s really the usual Pinoy tradition for us.”

Robi Domingo: “I remember when we were at Tagaytay street in Manila. That’s where my family celebrates Christmas or in Bulacan. I would receive P5 bills back then, P10 bills, P20 bills. And that would make my heart explode out of joy kasi ang sarap sa pakiramdam na andami mong nakukuhang blessings from your parents.

“And then when you have those bills, ang laki na ng savings mo at mabibili mo yung mga gusto mo. So I kept that to my heart na kailangan ‘pag dumating yung panahon na dumami yung blessings mo hindi mo lang kailangan bilhin ang gusto mo but you can give to others (as well). And that’s the sensibility that my parents told me. We would buy toys not just for me but for them (others). So it’s really sharing.”

Matteo Guidicelli: “My favorite memorable Christmas back in the day (was) when my family was complete. My grandparents were still alive. All our other members in the family were all complete together. Younger years. Those were very memorable.

“But every year becomes more and more memorable because I have my own family now. I have new memories to create. So I’m always looking forward to Christmases ahead. But not forgetting the traditions and memories we had in the past that I can repeat for the future, for my kids and family.”

Ruffa Gutierrez: “My favorite childhood memory every Christmas is lagi kaming magkasama. We always celebrate it on the 24th with the whole family. So kahit anong mangyari kailangan magsama-sama kami and we opened gifts ng noche buena and we usually spend it in the house of my parents. Then on the 25th or New Year kanya-kanya na kami.”

Markus Paterson: “Maybe the snow in the UK (United Kingdom). Before I moved here (Philippines)… Christmas here is kinda different. But it’s amazing. Probably the snow talaga as a kid.”

Dimples Romana: “Maybe when we were still complete (as a family). Because I had a sister who died of leukemia and then my papa of aneurysm. So back when we were all still complete I would say. So any Christmas that had both of them alive.”

Erik Santos: “I had a very happy childhood especially during Christmas. My (late) father used to be an OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker) so every Christmas we have this balikbayan box. Then our gifts and toys were a bit advanced kung ico-compare mo sa ibang mga kalaro namin. And I think my parents instilled in us the value of being humble and gratitude toward other people.”