This Christmas, the ABS-CBN Foundation invites everyone to celebrate the season through a special collection of digital greeting cards! These Christmas cards are made in collaboration with Robert Labayen, the man behind ABS-CBN’s Christmas Station IDs and Head of Creative Communication Management of ABS-CBN.
The collection will support ABS-CBN Foundation’s advocacies dedicated to championing children, providing access to education, uplifting families, supporting livelihoods, and protecting the environment. And for Robert, this partnership is a continuation of what he has always done best: telling stories that bring people together.
Robert’s Early Days as an Artist
From a young age, Robert Labayen used art to express himself and connect with the world, drawing inspiration from Filipino masters like Fernando Amorsolo and Victorio Edades.
He recalled, “Noong maliit pa ako, nagpe-paint na ako kaya ang nickname ko ay Imagine. So, I’ve been a creative person na since I was a child. Kuwento ng Daddy ko, ‘pag umiiyak daw ako, binibigyan niya lang ako ng pen and paper tapos magda-drawing na lang ako.”
[I was already painting when I was a child, which is why my nickname was Imagine. So, I’ve been a creative person since I was little. My dad used to say that whenever I cried, he would just give me a pen and paper, and I would start drawing instead.]
That early love for art never faded through the constant support of his parents. Before he became known for writing songs that carry the Filipino Christmas spirit, Labayen was already an artist and had carried this passion into his professional life. He started doing exhibits in 1998 and 1999 but eventually paused when he became busier with corporate work.
When the pandemic brought him unexpected free time, he rekindled his passion for painting. He also carries an advocacy close to his heart by supporting young artists who have limited access to training and art materials.
The Filipino Spirit of Christmas
Celebrating Christmas is deeply rooted in Filipinos’ music, food, and traditions, making it the longest and most cherished season of the year.
Labayen first conceptualized and wrote ABS-CBN’s Christmas Station ID Sabay Tayo, Kapamilya in 2004, marking the first time Kapamilya artists sang in a Christmas ID. In his twenty years of service, he has written many iconic ABS-CBN Christmas IDs like Bro, Ikaw ang Star ng Pasko (2009) and Thank You, Ang Babait Ninyo (2014).
“Christmas is a wonderful season because it’s a time for memories,” he said. “Every Christmas season, maaalala mo ‘yung past Christmases—things that you did, places that you went to, people you were with. So, ‘yung past memories of Christmas are always a part of the present Christmas, and those are always memories of the people you love that make the season happy.”
[Christmas is a wonderful season because it’s a time for memories. Every Christmas, you remember past celebrations — the things you did, the places you went to, the people you were with. Those past memories of Christmas always become part of the present Christmas, and those are always memories of the people you love that make the season happy.]
Just like his songs, his paintings are bright, colorful, and optimistic. “It’s like days will get better. There’s something better ahead of you.”
It’s Robert’s love for happy memories, nature, and Filipino way of life that shines through his two featured artworks in the ABS-CBN Foundation’s Christmas E-cards collection: Belen sa Baybayin and Krismas Karoling.
Belen Sa Baybayin
A seaside nativity where fisherfolks offer fruits and fish to an infant. Belen sa Baybayin honors the resilience and generosity of coastal communities along the Verde Island Passage whom he met during his immersion with ABS-CBN Foundation Bantay Kalikasan’s Citizen Science project.
Krismas Karoling
Inspired by childhood memories, Krismas Karoling captures the joy of Filipino children singing Christmas carols together. He said this also serves as his and ABS-CBN Foundation’s hope for the Filipino children to be happy and have faith that they will be nurtured and protected in this world.
Donate and get Robert Labayen’s Christmas E-cards
Share the love, joy, and hope with Robert Labayen’s Christmas E-cards! Send your loved one an e-card greeting today by donating through https://www.abs-cbnfoundation.org/ecards/