Perfume, angpaos, and the gift of life
Gifts come in all forms during the season of giving. They can be simple or luxurious, practical or sentimental. Stationery and socks can be as memorable as nifty camera gear. And whoever turned down a little red envelope with a crisp bill or two?
But as these celebrities have realized, the best gifts aren’t always material—or wrapped at all. Sometimes, they’re intangible: seeing your child win a singing contest, or simply knowing that a loved one will get to see another Christmas.
Lifestyle Inquirer asked some of your favorite stars about their favorite Christmas gifts—big and small—that nonetheless proved to be priceless.
Seth Fedelin
“Family gatherings, exchange gifts, and potlucks are our Christmas traditions. Siyempre andiyan ang spaghetti, lumpiang shanghai, palabok, at soft drinks. Namamasko rin ako sa umaga ng Dec. 25 sa mga ninong at ninang—tapos wala pala sila! Aray ko!
My most memorable gift? When I got an angpao with P1,000—it was the biggest I received at Christmas. The most I ever collected was P3,000. Masipag ako! Walang pinapalampas na bahay ‘to! Kahit ‘di ko ninong, feeling ko ninong ko. Sa childhood neighborhood ko kasi, magkakakilala na kaming mga magkakapitbahay. ‘Yung mga kalaro ko, namamasko rin sa ‘min.”
Francine Diaz
“Family gatherings are a given, but I also enjoy gift-giving and lining up for aguinaldo. Caroling to titos, titas, ninongs, and ninangs is part of the fun, too.
One Christmas, my elder sister initiated an exchange gift worth P200. I got some Angry Birds ballpens, notebooks, notepads, and candies. I will never forget that.”
Bianca King
“Very simple—it’s really just the traditional Noche Buena, but we have a big extended family. Kasama namin ang cousins, titos and titas, and even our house help—they’re all part of our Christmas celebration. Then we open gifts together on Christmas Eve.
I’m not really into material things, but recently, the most unforgettable gift I received was from my husband. He gave me a ring light and a microphone for shooting content. Matagal ko na kasing pangarap na magkaroon ng magandang gear.”
Brent Manalo
“We treat the holidays like a family reunion since it’s the only time we really get to see and bond—even with my distant relatives.
My favorite gift was a Chanel Homme perfume from my dad when I was in high school. It was a huge discovery for me, and it’s still the same scent I use to this day.”
Yce Navarro
“Our Christmas tradition is celebrating at midnight with family, then celebrating the 25th with the Streetboys (His father Vhong Navarro’s dance group). One of my most memorable experiences growing up was when my ninongs would create games and challenges. One time, we had to eat really spicy Korean noodles, and whoever finished fastest would win. I got super competitive and ate it in less than 10 seconds.
Since my parents (Vhong and Bianca Lapus) separated early, I had a schedule for the holidays—Christmas with my dad, New Year’s with my mom.
Around 2016, my aunt was diagnosed with cancer, and she wanted me to be with the family that Christmas. It was bittersweet at the time, but thankfully, she’s still alive and well today. That’s the greatest gift of all.”
Lou Yanong
“I love playing games with my family. One of my most memorable Christmases was the last time everyone was at our place, enjoying Noche Buena. My favorite gift was a pair of personalized socks with my dog Lua’s face all over it. Bahaha!”
Kai Montinola
“My family and I are very traditional Filipinos. We put up our Christmas tree together. There was a time when we would decorate the whole house, but as my parents grew older, they got tired of doing it, so now it’s mostly me. We willingly stress over decorating, but the process is as fun as looking at it afterward.
I’m based in Manila now and won’t be able to go home to Cebu for Christmas, which is a bit sad. But I’m here with my dad, and we’re able to continue our tradition. It will hit differently, though, because it’s my first Christmas in Manila.
One of the most special gifts I gave was actually my mom’s. December is her birthday, and I won a singing competition at a school convention—a win she had been praying for me to achieve. It became both her birthday and Christmas gift. For me, it was just a competition, but for her, it was a proud moment. That memory makes the Christmas season more special for me.”
Bianca de Vera
“The most memorable gift I ever received was my first bike as a kid. I got a Dora (the Explorer)-themed one in green. O di ba, hindi pink? Bad trip ako no’n, eh—but okay na rin!”
Dustin Yu
“We always have dinner together with our relatives every Christmas. That’s really what we look forward to. Parang once a year lang kami kumpleto, and all our grandparents come home from the province. Simple dinner, then games and gift exchanges.
Growing up, my favorite part of Christmas was receiving gifts. My favorite was a watch I bought for myself—the first one I ever saved up for. It was super memorable because after using it for a long time, I gave it to my dad. Another memorable gift was the angpao my aunt once gave me. I opened it to find a leaf inside. She said it’s good luck.”
