There is always something inspiring in anybody’s story. This is what the latest Christmas ID by ABS-CBN, seems to be getting across.
Since debuting its first full-length Christmas Station ID, two decades earlier, ABS-CBN has been consistent in delivering genuine love letters to Filipinos through the heartwarming songs used by its annual Christmas Station ID (now just Chrismas ID).
Amplified by music videos that teem with sheer star power, as well as raw stories of resilience, hope, faith, and survival of Filipinos from all walks of life, the ABS-CBN Christmas ID is transformed to a tradition that every Filipino household, even every commercial establishment, become obligated to celebrate , every year. I mean, have you visited a mall that does not play a medley of the Kapamilya Network’s CSIDs?
Like the past IDs, Pasko Ang Pinakamagandang Kwento is grounded on the hope to touch lives and earnestness to tell genuine stories about the miracles of Christmas. At its core, is the sincere effort to bring into spotlight every story, big or small, of every Filipino. It is vividly reflected by how this year’s ID, once again showcased the plight and determination of every laborer, every parent, and child.
An annual tradition, the ABS-CBN CSID is also a convergence point for the network’s biggest and most prized stars. With the company now poised to return to profitability, it is also apparent that it is now more secured to keep its most bankable stars, and how Pasko Ang Pinakamagandang Kwento, gathered the network’s most popular and most promising stars, seem to suggest ABS-CBN remains the country’s Star Network. That’s also true in how this ID allowed ABS-CBN to flex its star presence in various platforms, including its partner TV networks, GMA, TV5, and A2Z.
As always, the billing of these stars, which part of the ID they appeared, how long their exposure is, become a subject of discussion for fans.
This year’s CSID is pretty much more organized in presenting these stars by order of importance, than the previous stars. Of course, the likes of Judy Ann Santos, Piolo Pascual, Anne Curtis, Vice Ganda, Kim Chiu, Kathryn Bernardo, and Daniel Padilla, are recognized royalties, but we can’t help but notice, how the CSID also put emerging royalties, Donny Pangilinan, Belle Mariano, Andrea Brillantes, and more, front and center.
Almost obligatory in every CSID is the montage of Filipino communities around the world, and this year’s no different. The presence of promoted brands has been a key feature in recent IDs, but I can say, Pasko Ang Pinakamagandang Kwento, perfectly presented the partner brands more sensibly and not in the ‘in-your-face’ manner. In previous years, some fans argued that Christmas IDs have become lengthy promos for brands; this year, that may not be the case.
As far as the melody of the song goes, Pasko Ang Pinakamagandang Kwento, seems the kind that grow on you as you keep playing it. Many have noticed how the chorus was overly repeated in the music video, but that may not be case on the actual released on streaming platforms.
Over the past few years, ABS-CBN Christmas IDs threaded on themes of hope, survival, resiliency, faith, love, kindness, and family. Pasko Ang Pinakamagandang Kwento, rolled those themes into one, and made it a heartwarming melody you probably need to hear over and over again, this time of the year. A warm blanket in the cold season, a warm coffee in the rainy days, an umbrella during the heat of the day, that’s what it represents.
