THE first is always priceless. This Christmas means more to these personalities because they are all celebrating a first in their lives, and we share the joys and the many other wondrous emotions they feel in this season of hope and happiness.
It’s the very first Christmas for Maria Lucia Ilena Laurel, the latest bundle of joy of Franco and Ayen Laurel who was born on November 27. Ayen, who is 46, had to cut short her stint in the morning drama series Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin just to make sure her pregnancy would be smooth until she reached the full term. Franco, who is in the main cast of A Christmas Carol, is a doting dad and he shared that Lucia is the best gift that his beautiful family has received this year.
It’s the very first Christmas that Gerald Santos will be away from home. Since he flew to the United Kingdom to take on the big role of ill-fated Vietnamese lover Thuy in the UK tour of the hit musical Miss Saigon, Gerald’s world has changed tremendously. The gifted singer has done more than 150 shows and received rave reviews from international theater critics. He recently got his third Aliw Awards trophy for his concert, Something New in My Life.
It’s the very first Christmas of Ai-Ai de las Alas as Mrs. Gerald Sibayan. The 24-year-old Gerald married the mature comedienne in very colorful rites earlier this month, three years after they first made public their romantic relationship. Ai-Ai told us that she continues to believe in the power of love.
It’s the first Christmas for filmmaker Paolo Villaluna with an international best film trophy adorned near his Christmas tree. In June Paolo’s Pauwi Na won the Golden Goblet trophy for best film at the prestigious Shanghai International Film Festival. The film is currently screening in Rome as part of the main competition section of the 18th Asiatica Film Mediale.
It’s the very first Christmas of Geoff Eigenmann as a dad. Geoff’s partner Maya gave birth to Arabella Simone on September 23. We recall that the baby’s granny Gina Alajar was the happiest the day her new granddaughter was born. It has been a very good year for Gina: she also welcomed another grandchild—Rocio Catrice, the third child of Gina’s eldest son Ryan and his wife Cathy—and her film Dark is the Night continues to make the rounds of international film festivals. We are also happy to learn that Geoff will resume his acting career early next year by way of a drama series on GMA.
It’s the very first Christmas of international theater actress Joana Ampil with a movie in the Metro Manila Film Festival and the overseas-based thespian gets to play her first lead film role, too. Ang Larawan is up against seven other entries this year, and if the elements of the universe will conspire, Joana might just win her first acting trophy for film.
It’s the very first Christmas as a dad for actor Jun-Jun Quintana, who divides his time between his new TV series Hanggang Saan and his daddy duties to his 3-month-old baby Chloe Maureen.
“I cannot describe the joy of fatherhood,” he enthused, adding, “It gives me more reason to have a purpose and become a better person. Her presence illuminates every new day, and she has become my focus and my inspiration.”
It’s the very first Christmas that actor-turned-politician Richard Gomez is celebrating with an ongoing solo art exhibit. Titled Surface, the show of abstract artworks pned recently at the Pinto Museum in Antipolo. Friends of the Gomezes came in full force to support Richard’s first exhibit as a painter.
Warmest Christmas wishes, everyone.