ABS-CBN's Christmas Station ID lights up Yuletide season

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(The Philippine Star) Updated October 17, 2012 12:00 AM

Angel Locsin (second from right) with the Red Cross team| Zoom

MANILA, Philippines - ABS-CBN launches its much-awaited Christmas Station ID tonight after TV Patrol following other viral and popular music videos released by the Kapamilya network over the past years such as the very successful Bro, Ikaw ang Star ng Pasko in 2009.

With the theme Lumiliwanag ang Mundo sa Kwento ng Pasko, this year’s Station ID highlights how the Filipino spirit always shines through despite calamities that ravage our country.

“It shows how each Filipino become bearers of light, as they help their countrymen get back on their feet, and how they remain resilient because kindness never runs out in this nation filled with people who are always ready and willing to help,” said Robert Labayen, head of creative communications management.

According to Labayen, many scenes in the Station ID are inspired by real events. Some of these stories happened at the height of the habagat — a fireman who saved the lives of those stranded in their own homes; a chef who opened the doors of his restaurant to feed victims; a young woman who offered her own jacket to a street child who was suffering under the cold rain; Philippine coast guards who went out of their way to save lives; even volunteers and civilians who selflessly offered their time and energy to relief work.

These simple stories of heroism set apart this year’s campaign as it encourages viewers to share the light through these heroic deeds. Modern-day heroes involved in these stories bravely and selflessly spread the light during past calamities thus, the Station ID aims to inspire and shed light on more Filipinos to do the same.

This year’s offering features hundreds of Kapamilya stars paying tribute to ordinary Filipino heroes, at the same time helping spread the light across the globe.

The parol, a Pinoy Christmas icon, is this year’s Christmas Station ID centerpiece. Film director John-D Lazatin suggested the idea of having kids orphaned during Typhoon Sendong design a parol. This, in turn, is used as an instrument of light spreading around the world.

“When we own the Kapamilya parol, we’re not only spreading the light, we’re also being part of an effort to help our disaster- affected Kapamilya, as proceeds from the parol sales would be donated to Sagip Kapamilya, the ABS-CBN Foundation that provides relief to affected communities of disasters, as well as engage in rehabilitation and disaster risk reduction projects,” said Lazatin.

The Kapamilya parol will be retailed in SM Kultura and ABS-CBN Studio Store. It can also be ordered online through abscbnstore.multiply.com.

The Station ID song Kwento ng Pasko was performed by an ensemble of ABS-CBN artists — Sarah Geronimo, Martin Nievera, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Vina Morales, Billy Crawford, Angeline Quinto, Yeng Constantino, Erik Santos, Jed Madela, Christian Bautista, Bugoy Drilon, Marcelito Pomoy, Jovit Baldivino, Aiza Seguerra, Richard Poon, Juris, Princess, Sitti, Kean Cipriano, Bamboo, kid singers from ABS-CBN Star Magic, X Factor Philippines grand winner KZ Tandingan, Daniel Padilla and Piolo Pascual. This year’s Christmas anthem was written by Labayen together with Johnny delos Santos, Patrick de Leon and Ira Zabat. Music is by Marcus and Amber Davis.

The Christmas Station ID and the Kapamilya Parol selling are part of ABS-CBN’s nationwide Christmas campaign. Other component of the campaign include the Kapamilya Simbang Gabi, viewer promo, and the annual Christmas special.

The Station ID is directed by Paolo Ramos with Peewee Gonzales. It will also be aired on Studio 23, DZMM TeleRadyo, ANC, Lifestyle Network, Cinema One, MYX, Hero TV, Velvet, Balls and Digital TV channels.