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Just in case you found the first half of the “Love, Joy, Hope: The ABS-CBN Christmas Special 2025” bitin and not enough, more exciting and astounding production numbers from some of the biggest and brightest Kapamilya stars were seen in the second part, which was broadcast on Sunday, December 14.
Part 2 commenced with the electrifying song number of Supreme Idol Daniel Padilla, who rocked the stage with his rendition of “Yugyugan Na.” This happened more than two months after he received the “Outstanding Asian Star” accolade from the Seoul International Drama Awards 2025 for his excellent work in the action-drama series “Incognito.”
Richard Gutierrez then appeared onstage as he ushered in the segment of the Kapamilya heartthrobs, wherein they serenaded everyone with their exhilarating renditions of some of the OPM rock songs we’ve all loved over the past years. He was joined by Gerald Anderson in singing “Hanggang Kailan” and were followed by the group of Jake Cuenca, Baron Geisler, Jameson Blake, Anthony Jennings, Jeremiah Lisbo, and Seth Fedelin, who won us over with their rendition of “Akin Ka Na Lang” by The Itchyworms. New Gen heartthrobs Emilio Daez, Ralph de Leon, Brent Manalo, River Joseph, Robbie Jaworski, Jarren Garcia, and JM Ibarra sang another hit song of the band, which was “Gusto Ko Lamang Sa Buhay.”
Seasoned leading men JC de Vera, JM de Guzman, RK Bagatsing, and Rafael Rosell for sure thrilled the titas out there when they emerged onstage one by one singing Cueshe’s “Ulan.” Enchong Dee unleashed the inner rakista in him with his performance of Mayonnaise’s “Tayo Na Lang Dalawa,” and so was James Reid, who charmed us with his version of “Jopay” of the same OPM band.
Deafening shrieks then welcomed Joshua Garcia as he made us sing along with him to Juan Karlos’ “Ere.” He subsequently ushered Ultimate Heartthrob Piolo Pascual to the stage, who performed his rendition of “Sila” by SUD.
As if these guys were not yet enough to fill us with kilig, two more groups of heartthrobs collaborated to provide us with totally thrilling and entertaining productions. Launched in “ASAP,” Wrong Direction—comprised of Darren Espanto, Robi Domingo, Donny Pangilinan, Kyle Echarri, and Edward Barber—brought to life the fictional boyband “Saja Boys” of the hit animated film K-Pop Demon Hunters as they sang and danced to “Soda Pop.”
“It’s Showtime” boys Vhong Navarro, Jhong Hilario, Ogie Alcasid, Ryan Bang, and Ion Perez then took over the stage with their amusing performance of Backstreet Boys’ “Everybody.” An adorable kind of chaos then ensued as they joined forces and exhibited their innate sense of humor as they performed a mash-up of the two songs.
Nation’s Girl Group BINI then introduced the Global Pinoy Pride segment, in which some of our Kapamilya singers belted out the official soundtracks of several popular and well-loved musicals alongside some of the esteemed theater actors in the country.
The initial batch to come onstage was comprised of Martin Nievera, Erik Santos, Nyoy Volante, and Darren Espanto, who rendered “The Impossible Dream” from “Man of La Mancha.” It was followed by the moving performances of celebrity moms Zsa Zsa Padilla and Jenine Desiderio with their talented daughters Karylle, Zia Quizon, and Janella Salvador of “Not While I’m Around” from “Sweeny Todd.”
“Your Face Sounds Familiar” celebrity performers JM Dela Cerna and Marielle Montellano delighted their supporters when they sang “Last Night of the World” from “Miss Saigon” alongside one of Philippine theater’s power couples, Robert Seña and Isay Alvarez.
Alexa Ilacad and Kai Montinola went on to prove that they can keep up with seasoned actress-singers Vina Morales and Mikki Bradshaw via their performance of “I Know Him So Well” from “Chess.” Meanwhile, Angeline Quinto, Bituin Escalante, Morissette Amon, and Carla Guevarra-Laforteza channeled the “Dreamgirls” in them as they belted out “And I Am Telling You.”
Elha Nympha, Klarisse de Guzman, Yeng Constantino, and international theater sensation Christine Allado then astounded us with their version of “For Good” from “Wicked.” Fearless Diva Jona and singer Lara Maigue then amazed us with their flawless coloratura as they rendered “Phantom of the Opera” with terrific tenors John Arcilla, Jed Madela, and Gian Magdangal. This segment concluded with the singing “The Impossible Dream” altogether.
Of course, every “ABS-CBN Christmas Special” wouldn’t be complete without the Kapamilya loveteams segment since they’re the ones who have brought extra kilig and happiness to our every year.
And for this year’s edition, it commenced with Paulo Avelino singing Parokya ni Edgar’s “Halaga.” He called in the other half of the KimPau loveteam, none other than Kim Chiu. Together, they made everyone shriek with their oozing chemistry as they performed a duet of “Ikaw Pa Rin Ang Pipiliin Ko” by Cup of Joe.
The supporters of Alexa Ilacad and KD Estrada (KDLex) were surely euphoric to finally see them together again as they initiated the singing of “Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal” and were eventually joined by JM Ibarra and Fyang Smith (JMFyang) and Francine Diaz and Seth Fedelin (FranSeth).
Zanjoe Marudo and Angelica Panganiban surely delighted viewers when they appeared together onstage singing “Dahil Mahal Kita.” Real-life couple Luis Manzano and Jessy Mendiola accompanied them afterwards, giving everybody genuine kilig, especially when they kissed in the end.
Although their tandem is still relatively new, Kai Montinola and Kyle Echarri have already captured our hearts with their promising chemistry, as proven by the wild reactions of the live audience when they sang a duet of “Paniwalaan Mo.”
Last, but definitely not the least, were Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano, who definitely made the DonBelle shippers kilig as they performed “Ikaw Lang Ang Aking Mahal” together.
Singer-songwriters whose songs have left us with major LSS (or last song syndrome) in recent years also took center stage at the “ABS-CBN Christmas Special 2025.” Queen of Hugot Songs Moira Dela Torre’s live performance of her very own composition “Kumpas” alongside Belle Mariano indeed hit us right to the core. The song was the official soundtrack of the blockbuster Star Cinema hit “Meet, Greet, and Bye,” which starred the latter.
Ogie Alcasid’s “Nandito Ako” may have been around for decades now, yet it became popular again after it was rendered by fast-rising singer-songwriter Rob Deniel. And finally, we got to see them share the stage and perform the song together and let everybody sing with them.
As he continues to rake in awards and recognitions here and abroad for his well-written songs that awakened the “yearners” in us, Maki was indeed deserving of a spot in this segment, in which he sang his hit single “Saan” opposite Asia’s Soul Supreme” KZ Tandingan.
In light of the release of their latest album titled FLAMES, BINI spiced up the stage with their live performance of “Sweet Tooth,” which is one of the tracks included in the said record. It was followed by a slew of invigorating production numbers from Star Magic artists, who grooved to some of the most trending and viral dances of 2025.
Meanwhile, the group of Marko Rudio, Gello Marquez, Rob Blackburn, L.A. Santos, and Jarlo Base sang Hev Abi’s version of “Babaero.” Seasoned Star Magic talent Nikki Valdez proved that she could keep pace with the latest trends as she took the stage and performed Earth, Wind, and Fire’s “Let’s Groove,” which has gained a new wave of popularity. This segment concluded with everyone showing off their sassy and fierce expressions as they danced to the viral song “Dame Un Grr.”
Known for her “buwis-buhay” performances on “It’s Showtime,” Anne Curtis astonished us when she challenged herself to sing “Defying Gravity” with her co-host Ogie Alcasid playing the piano for her. And they didn’t simply do it in one go, as Anne belted out the highest chorus not just once but thrice, along with the signature belt by the end of the song.
It was succeeded by the “slay” and powerful performance of Kathryn Bernardo and Julia Montes singing “Woman” by Doja Cat, which pleased their supporters so much since it was the first time in quite some time that they were seen together onstage.
Another important portion of the annual “ABS-CBN Christmas Special” that would never be missing is the messages from the revered top executives of the media company, namely, Chairman Mark L. Lopez, President and CEO Carlo L. Katigbak, and Chief Operating Officer for Broadcast Cory V. Vidanes.
It was followed by an inspirational song number from Gary Valenciano, Martin Nievera, and BINI, as they performed “A Better World.”
Through a VTR, we were also given glimpses of the upcoming shows and offerings of ABS-CBN to watch out for in 2026, which include the Kathryn Bernardo, James Reid, Maja Salvador- starrer “Someone, Someday,” Joshua Garcia and Ivana Alawi’s first-ever team-up in “Love Is Never Gone,” and a teleserye starring Richard Gutierrez and Gerald Anderson. “Maalaala Mo Kaya,” “Minute To Win It,” and “Kapamilya Deal or No Deal,” are also coming back for new seasons.
Two of the biggest and brightest stars of ABS-CBN and real-life besties, Vice Ganda and Coco Martin, appeared onstage together to cheer us up with their energetic performances of “Kay Sayang Pasko Na Naman” at “Maligayang Pasko.”
They then called in Kathryn Bernardo to join them as they led the singing of this year’s Christmas anthem of ABS-CBN, “Love, Joy, Hope: Sabay Tayo Ngayong Pasko.” Other Kapamilya artists eventually joined them, which concluded the ABS-CBN Christmas Special 2025.