True to tradition, ABS-CBN brought together its brightest stars on stage to spread holiday cheer and remind everyone of the power of coming together as a family and community via the “Love, Joy, Hope: The ABS-CBN Christmas Special 2025,” aired on December 13 and 14.
Nation’s Girl Group BINI kicked off the opening number with their electrifying performance of their hit single “Shagidi” alongside Asia’s Multimedia Superstar Anne Curtis. They were followed by BGYO, who sang and danced to their very own song “Get Down (Everybody Get Down)” together with Mr. Pure Energy Gary Valenciano.
Taking a break from the memes, Darren Espanto channeled the rapper and Pinoy pop icon in him via his powerful rendition of “Bazinga” by SB19 along with Soul Supreme KZ Tandingan. They were followed by the quartet of Ogie Alcasid, Morissette, Angeline Quinto, and Erik Santos, who impressively sang both in Korean and English while hitting the high notes of “My Universe” by Coldplay and BTS.
Fyang Smith, Maymay Entrata, and Kim Chiu made sure to keep it 100 while singing the highly popular “The Fate of Ophelia” by global pop superstar Taylor Swift. Maki then took the stage and made everyone sing along to one of his biggest hits so far, “Namumula.” And it was not just him who made us turn red with that performance because he was joined by Kapamilya heartthrobs Kyle Echarri, Donny Pangilinan, and Joshua Garcia—who were all clad in red ensembles.
Asia’s Superstar Kathryn Bernardo then emerged onstage singing Cup of Joe’s “Tingin.” James Reid, her leading man in the highly anticipated ABS-CBN Studios series “Someone, Someday” followed her afterwards, as well as their co-star Maja Salvador, who was shimmering in her décolletage-baring silver suit.
Of course, what’s a Christmas special without at least a Yuletide hymn, right? The trio of OPM legends Martin Nievera, Zsa Zsa Padilla, and Pops Fernandez took care of it as they belted out the Andy Williams classic “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez-Alcasid started the second body with her version of Kelly Clarkson’s “Underneath the Tree,” wherein she didn’t just let out those high notes but also her killer dance moves.
From one Christmas song to another, Soul Diva Klarisse De Guzman led her onscreen family, fondly called “Pamilya de Guzman,” and former “Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab Edition” housemates Esnyr Ranollo, Shuvee Etrata, Mika Salamanca, Brent Manalo, Will Ashley, Bianca De Vera, and Dustin Yu in spreading holiday cheer to everyone via their rendition of the well-loved Christmas anthem “All I Want for Christmas” by Mariah Carey.
Following a slew of song numbers, the third segment of the ABS-CBN Christmas Special 2025 was all about dancing and championing women’s empowerment, as some of the Kapamilya leading ladies dominated the stage alongside Pinay dance legends Maribeth Bichara, Geleen Eugenio, and Georcelle Dapat-Sy.
It was the three of them who commenced the disco-themed portion as they grooved to Shalamar’s "A Night to Remember.” Geleen then led Shaina Magdayao and Yassi Pressman in their “Body Dancer” showdown, as well as Maymay Entrata, Belle Mariano, Francine Diaz, and Alexa Ilacad in their “Rico Mambo” number.
As Maribeth took her turn onstage, she was joined by “What Lies Beneath” stars Janella Salvador, Charlie Dizon, and Kaila Estrada in dancing “Boogie Wonderland,” and then by Maris Racal, Jane de Leon, and Jane Oineza. who unleashed the showgirls in them via Gloria Estefan’s “Oye.” She went on to share the stage with Ivana Alawi as they danced to Jennifer Lopez’s “Waiting For Tonight.”
Kim Chiu and G-Force founder and leader Teacher Georcelle probably got millennials and Gen Zs out there on their feet with their invigorating performance of Tyla’s viral dance hit “Chanel.”
Just when everyone assumed that the set was already over, revered Kapamilya personality Charo Santos surprised everyone when she appeared onstage and did three trending dances, like what she usually does on social media. She was subsequently joined by the rest of the performers, as they all danced to another of Taylor Swift’s viral hits titled “Opalite,” to end this portion.
As the undisputed top-rated and formidable series in primetime over the past three years, the annual ABS-CBN Christmas Special had never been complete without the “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo” family partaking in it.
Taking the lead was none other than their lead star-cum-director Coco Martin, who made everyone kilig and entertained as he and his reel-to-real-life sweetheart Julia Montes sang “Grow Old With You” and “Kasama Kang Tumanda” together. Apart from their oozing natural chemistry and their lovely images together flashed onscreen, the audiences also shrieked when Coco suddenly kissed Julia on the lips, much to her and everybody’s surprise.
The Primetime King and the Prime Actress then went on to usher in the barangay party of the “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo” family, which commenced with the first batch of cast members—including veteran character actors Joel Lamangan, Tommy Abuel, Ronnie Lazaro, Pen Medina, Susan Africa, Alan Paule, and Juan Rodrigo—singing “Kisapmata” by Rivermaya. Coming in next was the group of Ronwaldo Martin, Gillian Vicencio, John Medina, Criza Taa, Nicole Luna, Geline Queri, Ghercie Soriano, and Happy Marcial, who rocked the stage with “Awit ng Kabataan.” It was followed by the thrilling “Elesi” performance of John Estrada, Cherry Pie Picache, and Christopher de Leon, whose complicated love affair on the show as Rigor, Marites, and Ramon has been making the viewers so hooked. Jake Cuenca then led Angel Aquino, Dante Rivero, Paolo Paraiso, and Franki Russell in singing Eraserheads’ “Ligaya” while it was Baron Geisler who spearheaded the Mondragon faction comprised of Rosanna Roces, Roi Vinzon, Jay Gonzaga, and Jeri Montano in performing “Toyang.”
As his song covers went viral online recently, many were indeed hyped up as Aljur Abrenica hit the stage and began singing “Magasin.” He was then joined by Via Antonio, Perla Bautista, Aleck Bovick, and two other supporting cast members. Tanggol was definitely there as well, with Ryan Martin, Jojit Lorenzo, Mammoth Estroso, Big Mak Andaya, and Baby Giant Baña singing and bopping to “Maniwala Ka Sana.” Since they’re composed of rappers, such as Bassilyo, Smugglaz, Kial, Mastafeat, Flict G, Jojo, and Sisa, the Batang Tondo Gang indeed impressed with their version of “Bagsakan.”
Coco got the spectators amused with his version of “Mr. Suave,” that he complemented with his snazzy dance steps. He was later on joined by Maris Racal, who lit up the stage with her effervescent charm.
Piolo Pascual, Belle Mariano, and Joshua Garcia then introduced the unkabogable number of Phenomenal Box Office Star Vice Ganda, who was indeed a vision in white as she belted out her rendition of Lady Gaga’s “Edge of Glory.” Her “It’s Showtime” family then took over the stage as she did a quick costume change in order to complement their denim ensembles. Vice then called her castmates in the upcoming 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival entry “Call Me Mother” to join them in singing APO Hiking Society’s “Tuloy na Tuloy Pa Rin Ang Pasko.”
Supreme Idol Daniel Padilla rocked the stage with his rendition of “Yugyugan Na.” 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.
After Paulo Avelino sang 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. 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.
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.
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.
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.