From a KathNiel reunion to ABS-CBN’s new shows for 2024, here are some of the highlights from their 2023 Christmas special.
Related: Highlights From ABS-CBN’s 2022 Christmas Special That Just Felt Right
Araneta Coliseum was sparkling in holiday bliss last December 13 as ABS-CBN held its annual Christmas Special. The media company’s biggest and brightest stars (over 300 of them, in fact) came together under one roof to celebrate the season in their first in-person special at the Big Dome in three years.
With the theme of “Forever Grateful”, the over four-hour event was a non-stop parade of stars, performances, and other special stages. And while the special is set to air this weekend on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, and A2Z as a two-parter, there were already moments from the grand celebration we can’t stop thinking about. Scroll down for a few highlights we can’t wait to catch on the small screen.
A KATHNIEL REUNION
PUTANGINAAAAAAAA KATHNIEEEEEEEEL 😭😭😭 #ABSCBNChristmasSpecial2023 pic.twitter.com/NvtQsOjCbK
— ALTStarMagic 💫 (@AltStarMagic) December 13, 2023
In a moment that will be the talk of the town for a while, the 2023 ABS-CBN Christmas Special marked the first public reunion of Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla following the announcement of their split. Most notably, the two did an energetic duet of I’ll Be There For You that may very well be a sign of how they see each other moving forward.
NEW TV SHOWS
ABANGAN NGAYONG 2024 ✨❤️💚💙
— Kapamilya Online World (@kowalerts) December 13, 2023
Linlang The Teleserye Version
Pamilya Sagrado
What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim PH
It’s Okay Not To Be Okay PH
The Bag Man
Pinoy Big Brother New Season
The Voice Teen Season 3
Exciting! Para sa inyo mga Kapamilya! #ABSCBNChristmasSpecial2023 pic.twitter.com/rmeSfkN9wT
ABS-CBN’s Christmas Specials aren’t just hours of performances. They also serve as the content creator’s platform to showcase what they have to offer the following year. And the 2023 special was no exception as ABS-CBN took the time to share its new offerings for 2024. The biggest new hitter from the newly-minted ABS-CBN Studios? The announcement that K-drama It’s Okay To Not Be Okay was getting a Philippine adaptation starring Joshua Garcia, Anne Curtis, and Carlo Aquino, marking Anne’s first series in nine years.
KATHRYN BERNARDO’S WATER PERFORMANCE
KATHRYN BERNARDO PERFORMING "WATER" PUTANGINA ANG LALA 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/BFfqZyzmIz
— euphoria | #AVeryGoodGirl 💅 (@livingforvante) December 13, 2023
With her fiery orange hair and blue pop star-esque outfit, she wowed the crowd in her solo stage with her performance of Water by Tyla. Even through fan videos, Kath ate down, so we can’t wait to see how it looks on professional cameras. And that’s on doing a pasabog performance that had social media talking.
THE FANDOM GLOW
HAPPENING NOW: FOREVER GRATEFUL: The ABS-CBN Christmas Special 2023 at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.🎄❤️💚💙#ForeverGratefulChristmasSpecial #PaskoAngPinakamagandangKwento #ABSCBNChristmasSpecial2023 pic.twitter.com/OJoG0sdEIP
— Kapamilya Online World (@kowalerts) December 13, 2023
The stars were out in full force at the Big Dome, and so too were their dedicated fans, who filled the Araneta Coliseum with their attention-grabbing signs and passionate support. It must have been something to stand on that stage and see all those fandoms show up and show out for their faves.
SALUTE TO WOMEN
WOMEN.
— Sof✿ (@sayinDB) December 13, 2023
THE DONBELLE THING#DonBelle#ABSCBNChristmasSpecial2023 pic.twitter.com/bYLaA0OAjA
In one of the most exciting performances of the special, ABS-CBN’s biggest and brightest female stars came together for an empowering and kickass cover of Salute by Little Mix. Seeing these legends and new generation celebs come together to sing an anthem of women empowerment was the boost we needed. Women, Period!
THIS ERE COVER
Young Male Leads of ABS-CBN sing 'Ere' with Juan Karlos ❤️💚💙#ForeverGratefulChristmasSpecial #PaskoAngPinakamagandangKwento #ABSCBNChristmasSpecial2023 pic.twitter.com/NgkksX54re
— Kapamilya Online World (@kowalerts) December 13, 2023
Juan Karlos singing ERE at the Christmas Special was already a treat. But the musician being joined by other young stars on the chart-topping track? Now that’s a serve. This cover once again reiterated our desire for an official collab version of ERE with JK and Kyle Echarri.
MMD’S PERFORMANCE
The scream is so intense! Baka Michelle Marquez Dee yan! @michellemdee #MMD #MichelleDee #PorDee#ABSCBNChristmasSpecial2023 pic.twitter.com/n31jxwrX1H
— Jazz – Ship Responsibly (@Jazz4Dee) December 13, 2023
In case you didn’t know, Michelle Dee can sing, with her naturally low voice suiting her so well. During the special, she treated the crowd to a cover of Noypi and Raise Your Flag alongside KZ Tandingan, Darren Espanto, Yeng Constantino, and Regine Velasquez. And don’t get us started on her silver and blue ‘fit.
Continue Reading: These Stars Had More Than 2 Outfit Changes At The ABS-CBN Christmas Special
