A 50-days-to-go-before-Christmas reminder: the 2009 ABS-CBN Christmas Station ID

For those among us who feel there's no more reason to celebrate Christmas because of personal tragedies or national disasters, here's a very timely reminder and encouragement. Christmas is not about us but about the tremendous love of God for us, channeled through His Son Jesus.

And that is the central theme of the Christmas 2009 Station ID of the biggest television network in the Philippines- ABS-CBN. The video features some 200 artists associated with the network, shot over a period of one week. The song in the video- Star ng Pasko (Star of Christmas)- has lyrics written by Robert Labayen, set to music by Marcus and Amber Davis. The entire Christmas campaign of ABS-CBN is focused on "Bro" - a term of endearment given to Christ by a boy in a local TV show who has conversations with Jesus- and the hope He brings to His people in need through each one of us.

I freely translated the song from its original Filipino text- apologies to the artist for this. It doesn't come out as beautiful or as eloquent but I do hope the message is conveyed nonetheless to non-Filipinos =]

Feel the love! Be the love! This Christmas and always =]

(The Station ID begins at the 3:25 mark.)





Kung kailan pinakamadilim
Mga tala ay mas nagniningning
Gaano man kakapal ang ulap
Sa likod nito ay may liwanag

When the night is darkest/ Then the stars shine the brightest
No matter how thick the clouds/ Behind it lies the light

Ang liwanag na ito’y nasa ‘ting lahat
May sinag ang bawat pusong bukas
Sa init ng mga yakap
Maghihilom ang lahat ng sugat

This light is within all of us/ There’s a ray in all our hearts
Because of the warmth of our hugs/ All wounds will be healed

Ang nagsindi nitong ilaw
Walang iba kundi Ikaw
Salamat sa liwanag Mo
Muling magkakakulay ang Pasko
Salamat sa liwanag Mo
Muling magkakakulay ang Pasko

This light is lit / By no one but You
Thanks to Your light / Christmas will once again be colorful
Thanks to Your light / Christmas will once again be colorful

Tayo ang ilaw sa madilim na daan
Pagkakapit-bisig lalong higpitan
Dumaan man sa malakas na alon
Lahat tayo’y makakaahon

We are the light on this dark road/ We need to tighten our support to each other
Strong waves we have to endure/ At the end of which we will all survive

Ang liwanag na ito’y nasa ‘ting lahat
May sinag ang bawat pusong bukas
Sa init ng mga yakap
Maghihilom ang lahat ng sugat

This light is within all of us/ There’s a ray in all our hearts
Because of the warmth of our hugs/ All wounds will be healed

Ang nagsindi nitong ilaw
Walang iba kundi Ikaw
Salamat sa liwanag Mo
Muling magkakakulay ang Pasko
Salamat sa liwanag Mo
Muling magkakakulay ang Pasko

This light is lit / By no one but You
Thanks to Your light / Christmas will once again be colorful
Thanks to Your light / Christmas will once again be colorful

Kikislap ang pag-asa
Kahit kanino man
Dahil Ikaw Bro
Dahil Ikaw Bro
Ang Star ng Pasko

Hope will sparkle / For everyone
Because You, Bro / Because You, Bro
Are the Star of Christmas

Salamat sa liwanag Mo
Muling magkakakulay ang Pasko
Salamat sa liwanag Mo
Muling magkakakulay ang Pasko

Thanks to Your light / Christmas will once again be colorful
Thanks to Your light / Christmas will once again be colorful

Ang nagsindi nitong ilaw
Walang iba kundi Ikaw
Salamat sa liwanag Mo
Muling magkakakulay ang Pasko

This light is lit / By no one but You
Thanks to Your light / Christmas will once again be colorful
Thanks to Your light / Christmas will once again be colorful

Dahil Ikaw Bro
Dahil Ikaw Bro
Ang Star ng Pasko

Because You, Bro / Because You, Bro
Are the Star of Christmas