MANILA, PHILIPPINES – The season is set as CNN Philippines celebrates another year of expressing gratitude through the Christmas campaign, ‘The Joy of Giving.’ As a treat to its audience, the network has lined up special programs as well as giveaway promos.
CNN Philippines will give viewers the chance to participate in the Misa de Gallo or ‘Simbang Gabi’ masses — the devotional nine-day mass that leads to Christmas Day. It is a popular Filipino tradition that many might be unable to observe physically because of health protocols.
In partnership with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), the dawn masses will be broadcast at 5 a.m. beginning December 16 until December 24. Different parishes from all over the country will host the Eucharistic celebrations.
For those who prefer to hear the anticipated Simbang Gabi, they can watch through the CNN Philippines Kumu channel. The nine-day mass will be streamed live at 8:00 p.m. from December 15 until December 23. This is also made possible by CCP and Kumu.
CNN Philippines will also broadcast Christmas Day masses on December 25. Viewers may watch at 4:30 a.m., where Pope Francis will celebrate the Solemnity of the Birth of Our Lord from St. Peter’s Basilica, or watch the 3:00 p.m. mass which will be presided by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle from Pontificio Collegio Filippino in Rome, Italy.
The Urbi at Orbi, where Pope Francis will deliver his Christmas blessing to the city of Rome and the world, will be at 7 p.m. on Christmas Day.
CNN Philippines will also broadcast two ballet productions from CCP as part of its holiday special programming. The Nutcracker Suite, Tchaikovsky’s sweeping music from Act II of the Nutcracker, will be brought to life through dances from distant lands. All wrapped together and spun by the Sugarplum Fairy herself, this holiday treat is sure to warm your hearts and fill you with the joy of the season! The Nutcracker Suite is choreographed by Adam Sage with additional choreography by National Artist for Dance Alice Reyes and directed by Carlitos Siguion Reyna. The Nutcracker Suite will air on December 24, 5:00 p.m. and December 25, 2:00 p.m.
Tuloy ang Pasko which will be broadcast on December 24, 7:30 p.m. and December 25, 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., features music by National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab and is also directed by Carlitos Siguion Reyna. It tells the story of Lolo Val, a Filipino in Los Angeles, U.S.A., who celebrates Christmas alone in the new normal. While the season is a time to reminisce past celebrations by his lonesome, Lolo Val’s Christmas Eve eventually turns into a joyous occasion as he reconnects with his old barkada through a video call. He realizes that celebrating Christmas transcends space, time, and conditions.
CNN Philippines is also running a month-long giveaway promo through its Viber Community. Promo codes from partner brands Shopee, Viu and Booky will be given away weekly. To join, simply type @CNNPhilippines in the search box or click this link (bit.ly/2Fa7Bqh) to be part of the community.
To cap off the network’s Christmas campaign, CNN Philippines will also give viewers the chance to be part of its first-ever livestream on Kumu on Saturday, December 19 at 8:00 p.m. Expect live jams, good conversations and awesome prizes to be given away. Kumu, one of the leading livestreaming apps, is available for download to Android and iOs users.
Tune in to CNN Philippines on Free TV channel 9, Sky Cable channel 14 and Cignal TV channel 10, CNNPhilippines.com/Videos and like, follow and subscribe to @CNNPhilippines on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Viber and Kumu for news you can trust.
