Cover Heart Evangelista in her Christmas dress for the 2023 holiday season (Photo: @iamhearte / Instagram)
Heart Evangelista in her Christmas dress for the 2023 holiday season (Photo: @iamhearte / Instagram)
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This year’s Christmas is one for the books! Take a look at how our Tatler friends embodied the holiday spirit
Christmas doesn’t end after a day or two in the Philippines. As soon as September arrives, Jose Marie Chan’s famous lyrics hit the airwaves, colourful lights and parols line up the streets, and embellished Christmas trees appear in each of our homes. No other season is as eventful as the last month of the year—save, perhaps, New Year’s and Lent. It is a chance for families and communities to take a break and reconnect with loved ones, regardless of where and how they celebrate it.
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In this article, Tatler lists some of the friends who took the time to share their memories of Christmas. Filled with joy and laughter, they wished everyone a happy and blessed holiday through their Instagram posts.
Those out and about
Dr Vicki Belo, Dr Hayden Kho, and Scarlet Snow
“[I’m] feeling so blessed to be spending the holidays with my nearest and dearest,” says Dr Vicki Belo in an Instagram post last December 26. Together with her husband, Dr Hayden Kho, and daughter, Scarlet Snow, they perused the happy streets of Malaga, Spain, this winter holiday.
Bea Soriano Dee
Bea Soriano Dee and her family enjoyed a place of culture and history—Mexico City. “When I asked my kids [what their favourite] place in Mexico is, they said Parque Quetzalcoatl in unison,” Dee shares. There, they experienced an adventure akin to gardens from Alice in Wonderland, only this time interpreted by Javier Senosiain.
Those with trees blooming for the occasion
Anne Curtis, Erwan Heussaff, and Dahlia Amelie
After holding a romantic Christmas dinner with tables gorgeously designed by Gideon Hermosa, Anne Curtis opted to celebrate the holiday with her family intimately. In true Filipino fashion, she posted a photo with husband Erwan Heussaff and daughter Dahlia Amelie on social media, with all three smiling in front of their tree adorned with ornaments by Louis Vuitton.
Heart Evangelista and Chiz Escudero
Heart Evangelista also celebrated a Louis Vuitton Christmas, sharing gift ideas one can give their loved ones. She showed the presents she’ll be giving Chiz Escudero and kids Quino and Chesi, who later posed with her in front of their tree for a mandatory family photo for the holiday.
Those with tummies full and satisfied
Dr Aivee Teo and Dr Z Teo with friends
For husband and wife Drs Z and Aivee Teo, this year’s holiday is a “December to remember,” as they invited friends for a festive dinner. With Heart Evangelista, Dolly de Leon, Maja Salvador, Sarah Lahbati, and more as seatmates, the conversation was indeed engaging.
Nadine Lustre and family
Nadine once again sets the mood with a beautiful, minimalist table setup for their family’s Christmas dinner this year, with fans quick to praise her for her aesthetics and greet her well wishes.
Those reunited with family and friends
The Eduardo sisters
Alice Eduardo, Small Laude, and Melba Solidum always spend Christmas together. This year was no exception. With members of the family coming home to the country from their studies and others taking a quick, well-deserved break from work, they can appreciate the blessing that is family with zero distractions.
The Zubiris
Seeing your family healthy and complete for Christmas is the best gift you can receive this year. The Zubiris know this better than anyone else. “Although there were some scares this year, these challenges brought us all closer together,” says Stephanie Zubiri in an Instagram post. “[I am also] grateful for all the wonderful and spontaneous moments spent particularly with my siblings, forging closer and more meaningful relationships as we all get older together.”
Karen Davila and Senator Loren Legarda
A catch-up of fellow journalists: this was how Karen Davila and Senator Loren Legarda spent their Christmas get-together. “It’s been a challenging year for many of us, but the kindness, mentoring and friendship of many has kept us going,” says Davila. “[A] blessed Christmas [to all]!”
Those with hearts full of love
Margie Moran-Floirendo
Unsurprisingly, Margie Moran-Floirendo allotted a day from her busy Christmas week for ballet, watching Ballet Philippines’ staging of The Nutcracker last December 15. She shared her reaction in an Instagram post, where she lauded an old friend. “I was particularly impressed by the performance of Jessa Tangalin, my former adult ballet teacher, as the Sugar Plum Fairy,” she says.
Tim Yap
Christmas is a season of giving. Tim Yap was determined to donate some props and sets from his business to those needing them for the holiday–hellbent on ensuring everyone is celebrating in style.
A gingerbread house prop from a Jo Malone event became the hangout of ‘furbabies’, surrounded by Nutcracker soldiers from Adora. A Christmas tree from a Jo Malone and Solaire event last November now has a home at the White Cross Orphanage, where kids enjoy it. “An act of kindness goes a long way,” says Yap. “Beyond Christmas and the new year, let’s continue spreading kindness.”
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Angela Nicole Regis Guiral is the assistant digital editor of Tatler Philippines. She studied journalism and has since written features that look closely at how culture, lifestyle and social impact converge, while occasionally wandering into the worlds of style and travel.
