ABS-CBN 2009 Christmas Station ID – Star ng Pasko

MANILA – ABS-CBN officially kicked off the Christmas season, with its parol-lighting ceremony and launching of “Bro, Ikaw ang Star ng Pasko” Christmas campaign Wednesday night.

Kapamilyas gathered at ABS-CBN compound in Quezon City, key Regional Network Group stations, and select ABS-CBN global offices to witness the lighting of a huge Christmas lantern in front of the ABS-CBN main building along Sgt. Esguerra Avenue.

ABS-CBN chairman and chief executive officer Eugenio Lopez III, president Charo Santos-Concio, and the “May Bukas Pa” cast led by child star Zaijan Jaranilla led the ceremony.

Wearing red shirts and waving miniature Christmas lanterns, ABS-CBN employees cheered in jubilation after the parol was lighted past 6 p.m.

Parol, Tagalog word for Christmas lantern, serves as a symbol of hope and strength of Filipinos in the wake of massive devastation wrought by four tropical storms that have hit the country over the past five weeks.

“Kayo po ang aming inspirasyon at pinagmumulan ng lakas. Sa ating pagtutulungan, no Filipino will be left behind,” Lopez said in his brief speech.

Message of hope

The Kapamilya network also launched its Christmas station ID (SID) put together by its Creative Communications Management (CCM) group. This year’s SID features not only the network’s stars and broadcasters, but ordinary people from different sectors as well.

CCM head Robert Labayen wrote a song for the five-minute SID, which reflects the “unsinkable” spirit of the Filipinos. The SID song was performed by more than 300 talents pooled together for the project.

Labayen added that the SID encourages the Filipinos to bounce back after the calamities, and reminds the public that “goodness shines the brightest in the darkest hours.”

“And the message comes from the song. We have the stars singing together with the heroes–workers, soldiers, the medics, volunteers, church–from all sectors of society. They come together to rebuild our lives again,” Labayen said.

The SID concept this year is not only simpler compared to previous years, but more “uplifting.”

“Dati kasi, ang gusto natin masaya lang, masayang pasko. It’s about our family. Pero this time, it’s about Filipinos,” said Danie Rose Sedilla-Cruz, CCM’s creative account head.

Sedilla-Cruz said the SID also highlights the fact that Christ is the source of light, but all of us are bearers of it.

She said: “Better to light one little candle than to stumble in the dark. Bawat isa sa atin, pagkatapos noong nangyari, nalaman mo sa sarili mo na meron kang magagawa.”

‘Parol ni Bro lanterns’

Meanwhile, as part of the network’s Christmas campaign, ABS-CBN is also selling special Christmas lanterns called “Parol ni Bro,” which was inspired by “May Bukas Pa.” The project aims to gather proceeds for the benefit of ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.’s BayaniJuan and Sagip Kapamilya programs.

The lanterns are available at SM Kultura and SM Department store outlets in Las Piñas, Fairview, North Edsa, Mall of Asia, Megamall and Makati. Kapamilyas may also order online via Multiply and Starry Starry Store. -Trina Lagura, abs-cbnNEWS.com