ABS-CBN has made a very beautiful Christmas Station ID this 2020. As a matter of fact, ex-employees of the network as well as other celebrities couldn’t help but admire the heart of the Kapamilya network.
Former MOR radio host DJ Chacha, who is now on TV5, understood what it meant to stand up whenever you fall down. She also mentioned that she misses being a Kapamilya.
She wrote, “May kurot sa puso yung Christmas Station ID ng ABSCBN. Naluha ako sa part ng Kathniel, Jadine & The ABS-CBN Bosses looking at the Christmas Tree. Parang sinasabi nila sa mga mata nila ‘One day, babangon ka.’ Yakap ng mahigpit na mahigpit mga Kapamilya. Miss na miss ko kayo.”
May kurot sa puso yung Christmas Station ID ng ABSCBN. Naluha ako sa part ng Kathniel, Jadine & The ABSCBN Bosses looking at the Christmas Tree. Parang sinasabi nila sa mga mata nila “One day, babangon ka.” Yakap ng mahigpit na mahigpit mga Kapamilya. Miss na miss ko kayo. 😢
— DJ Chacha (@_djchacha) December 1, 2020
Even Kevin Manalo, now a freelancer, understood what the network was feeling this 2020.
“Dilim at kalungkutan best describe the difficult year we went through. We felt so down, so anxious as we lost our dreams and bread and butter for years, even decades. We must not forget how we lost them too, in the middle of a world crisis, a pandemic.”
Dilim at kalungkutan best describe the difficult year we went through. We felt so down, so anxious as we lost our dreams and bread and butter for years, even decades. We must not forget how we lost them too, in the middle of a world crisis, a pandemic.#IkawAngLiwanagAtLigaya
— Kevin Manalo (@kevinmanalo_) December 1, 2020
Manalo also commended ABS-CBN’s fight against suppression of the media.
He added, “And to hear reason in people’s voices as they fight with us to defend press freedom – that made me happy. Thank you to those who stood with the employees. Despite the darkness and sadness, we found light and joy in the people we serve. Kayo ang pag-asa.”
And to hear reason in people’s voices as they fight with us to defend press freedom – that made me happy. Thank you to those who stood with the employees.
Despite the darkness and sadness, we found light and joy in the people we serve.
Kayo ang pagasa.
❤️💙💚
— Kevin Manalo (@kevinmanalo_) December 1, 2020
Some were even surprised that the song was not a form of resentment towards the Duterte government as “Ikaw ang Liwanag at Ligaya” only showcased love and hope, appropriate for this time of the year.
France Sajorda, a former ABS-CBN employee now working at Frontrow Philippines, wrote, “I was expecting na gearing towards ABS-CBN Shutdown ang tema ng #IkawAngLiwanagAtLigaya, pero hindi. It is actually more of giving back, and reminding everyone that there’s hope sa gitna ng dilim.”
I was expecting na gearing towards ABS-CBN Shutdown ang tema ng #IkawAngLiwanagAtLigaya, pero hindi. It is actually more of giving back, and reminding everyone that there's hope sa gitna ng dilim.
— Miss France Sajorda (@PrincessFrance) December 1, 2020
Even the beauty of the song reached those in United Arab of Emirates as Flow Galindez, the Lead Social Media and Marketing of Viu UAE, appreciated the song. He also worked for ABS-CBN corporation. The inspiring song made Flow realize the reason people hold on to something that is very important to them.
He wrote, “Thanks for the very inspiring Christmas Station ID kahit dumurog na naman kayo ng puso. Tagos sa puso kasi sobra the feeling na we hold on sa mga bagay na that gives us strength kahit sobrang gusto mo na bumitaw #IkawAngLiwanagAtLigaya.”
Thanks for the very inspiring Christmas Station ID kahit dumurog na naman kayo ng puso. Tagos sa puso kasi sobra the feeling na we hold on sa mga bagay na that gives us strength kahit sobrang gusto mo na bumitaw #IkawAngLiwanagAtLigaya https://t.co/wmtBI5ZOmr
— flow galindez (@FlowGalindez) December 1, 2020
Some know that next year will be the better year for the network.
ABS-CBN’s Creative manager Kathrina Sanchez wrote, “TULOY ANG PASKO.TULOY ANG BUHAY. 2021 WILL BE BETTER. #IkawAngLiwanagAtLigaya.”
TULOY ANG PASKO.TULOY ANG BUHAY. 🙏🏼 2021 WILL BE BETTER🔥 #IkawAngLiwanagAtLigaya https://t.co/SRi0nuQ7dm
— Kathrina Sanchez (@kathrinavs) December 2, 2020
Bianca Gonzalez even posted a photo with one of ABS-CBN’s bosses to commemorate the song. For her, ABS-CBN’s President Carlo Katigbak was the reason for the network’s employees’ strength.
“Selfie with the most in demand Kapamilya to be in a selfie with this year, our leader who has been a source of strength and hope for so many of us! Behind the scenes of #IkawAngLiwanagAtLigaya.”
Selfie with the most in demand Kapamilya to be in a selfie with this year, our leader who has been a source of strength and hope for so many of us! Behind the scenes of #IkawAngLiwanagAtLigaya ❤💚💙 pic.twitter.com/D94eCpEsVV
— Bianca Gonzalez (@iamsuperbianca) December 2, 2020
“Ikaw ang Liwanag at Ligaya” talks about the miracle of Christmas and its undying magic that unites every Filipino to survive all tragedies together. The music video showcased those who stood by ABS-CBN until the very end as well as the loyal supporters of the network. The song also calls for unity and mutual understanding, which should be the goal of Filipinos hindered by the pandemic.
Just like its predecessors, “Ikaw ang Liwanag at Ligaya” expressed hopefulness while serving as s constant reminder of the Filipinos’ undying spirit.