Celebrate Christmas with your favorite PBA player, Magnolia star Calvin Abueva, as you get to know his Yuletide traditions.
Calvin Abueva is one tough cookie when he is on the court.
But behind that facade is a soft side the Magnolia veteran showed in a chat with One Sports about his Christmas traditions.
The Black Nazarene devotee shared his Yuletide experiences over the years, from singing carols to passing the belief in Santa to his kids.
One Sports: What's your favorite Christmas song?
Calvin Abueva: 'Yung laging pinapatugtog, siyempre. Jingle Bells.
OS: Can you sing a part of the song?
Calvin: (Gamely sang)
OS: What's your favorite Christmas tradition?
Calvin: Bonding lang sa bahay. May game [in the PBA] sa Christmas kaya medyo 50/50 preparation ang ginagawa natin sa game at sa bahay. Double celebration. Pero ang sa'kin, focus muna sa game.
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OS: Have you experienced caroling?
Calvin: Yes, noong bata ako. Madalas may tambol pa. Madalas pumupunta pa ako kung saan-saan, napapadayo pa para mangaroling lang.
OS: What's your most memorable caroling experience?
Calvin: Nangangaroling ako and then pagbukas ng pinto, hinabol ako ng aso. (laughs) 'Yun yung mga experience na maganda. Medyo nakakatakot pero masaya kasi kasama ko ang mga barkada.
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OS: Were you bitten by the dog?
Calvin: Hindi naman. Wala naman. (smiles)
OS: Have you completed the nine days of Simbang Gabi?
Calvin: 'Di ko kasi prefer mag-simbang gabi. Pero nagsisimbang gabi ako. 'Di ko tinatapos. Kasi it’s my commitment din, eh. 'Di ko siya kayang gawin. Sunud-sunod yun, nine days. As a malapit sa Panginoon, kahit 'di naman araw ng simba, everyday o ano, at least present ka sa Kaniya.
OS: What's your favorite Christmas dish?
Calvin: Marami, siyempre. Lalo na favorite natin 'yung lechon. Christmas, siyempre memorable 'yun kung may handa ka.
OS: Complete the sentence: On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me: ______
Calvin: Hindi ko kabisado. (laughs)
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OS: Puto bumbong or bibingka?
Calvin: Puto bumbong.
OS: Mariah Carey or Jose Mari Chan?
Calvin: Siyempre, Jose Mari Chan.
OS: Sing an excerpt of the song.
Calvin: Walang sample. (smiles)
OS: Did you believe in Santa Claus when you were a kid?
Calvin: Yes, oo. Now, ginagawa ko 'yun para sa mga anak ko. Siyempre para maramdaman nila ang Christmas.
OS: If Santa will visit you on Christmas and ask you if you have been a good or naughty boy this year, what would be your answer?
Calvin: 'Di mo naman masasabing good boy or bad boy, eh. [It depends] in the middle of the situation, sa pinaglakihan mo, eh. Kung saan ka lumaki at kung ang mga nabago sa'yo.
OS: What's your Christmas wish?
Calvin: Siyempre, this time, gusto naming umangat 'yung team. Kasi ngayon, backs against the wall kami. Kailangan naming ma-secure 'yung connection sa bawat isa para manalo kami.