[WATCH] Rappler Christmas Live Jam: A special show dedicated to OFWs

Click here to watch Rappler’s Christmas Live Jam

Sunday, December 18, 2pm, Manila time

MANILA, Philippines – With the deepest appreciation for all our Live Jam viewers, Rappler Entertainment presents a special Christmas Live Jam airing Sunday, December 18, 2 pm Manila time. 

It is especially dedicated to the millions of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who will not be able to come home to their families this year. 

Five wonderful, generous, and immensely talented (a keen understatement) musicians comprise the lineup for our super-sized holiday Jam. 

Each guest will read one resonant letter to or from an OFW unable to come home for Christmas this year. 

From today until our air date Sunday, December 18, Manila time, a new guest will be unveiled daily. 

Lineup

Philippine music icon Ryan Cayabyab (fondly known as Mr C), and the Ryan Cayabyab Singers, light up our screens with their infectious cheer and pitch perfect holiday harmonies. Of course, Mr C’s signature hit “Kumukutikutitap” is among their set list. 

 

Mr C will read a letter from a son missing his mom, a nurse in Riyadh for more than 30 years.

Himself a former OFW who worked as an entertainer in Japan and in Guam, singer Nino Alejandro and his cousin, prominent singer-actress Rachel Alejandro, also grace Rappler’s Christmas Live Jam. 

 

Rachel and Nino take turns reading a bittersweet letter from Erra, writing to her best friend, who is working in Saudi Arabia. 

Our latest reveal: Noel Cabangon brings his calming, serene energy to the Rappler newsroom with holiday numbers that tug at the heart. 

 

Noel reads a letter from Neng, who has spent 10 Christmases away from home. 

Our first reveal: Philippine Christmas icon Jose Mari Chan, and his children Jose Antonio, Liza, Michael Philip, and Franco, envelope the Rappler newsroom with holiday cheer. 

You can bet they’ll be singing “Christmas In Our Hearts.” 

Jose Mari will read a letter from a Filipino nurse in Finland to his family back home in the Philippines. 

 

Let’s sing Merry Christmas, and a happy holiday 

From the time we first started Rappler Live Jam in June to our latest Jam with Sud on December 13, one thing stood out to me and the Live Jam team: the feedback from Pinoys overseas. Act after act, we read wonderful comments from folks abroad who were able to watch their favorite artists online, right along with friends and family in the Philippines.

After Noel Cabangon’s stirring performance of “Pauwi Na” in his August Live Jam, the team knew that come Christmas, we wanted to do something special for all our viewers – especially those who couldn’t be with their loved ones this season. 

Even as we end a tumultuous and challenging 2016, we hope that you enjoy this Christmas Live Jam, our last for the year, no matter where you are. 

A very merry Christmas to you and yours, from the Rappler team. – Rappler.com

Wyatt is Rappler’s Lifestyle and Entertainment editor.