The ABS-CBN Christmas Special, a highly anticipated annual event, made a grand return to the Araneta Coliseum after three years, marking a significant occasion for the network and its stars. The event, filled with excitement and festivity, was a four-hour celebration that began at 5 p.m. Notable appearances included Coco Martin with the cast of ‘Batang Quiapo’, minus Lovi Poe, Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano from ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’, and the cast of ‘Linlang’ featuring Kim Chiu, Paulo Avelino, and JM de Guzman. Vice Ganda, Anne Curtis, Vhong Navarro, and other ‘It’s Showtime’ personalities also delivered entertaining performances.
A highlight of the night was the surprise appearance of ex-couple Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla, performing “I’ll Be There For You,” the theme song of the sitcom ‘Friends’. This was their first public appearance together after confirming their breakup. The audience was treated to world-class performances by notable Kapamilya singers like Ogie Alcasid, Regine Velasquez Alcasid, Gary Valenciano, and others.
The event also served as a platform for ABS-CBN to unveil its 2023 lineup of shows and projects. This includes new series like “Dirty Linen,” “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo,” and “Linlang.” Fans can also look forward to the return of “The Voice Kids” and “I Can See Your Voice.” Additionally, ABS-CBN Films announced its upcoming movie “Love on a Budget” and the international series “Cattleya Killer”.