JUST like other people, movie and TV stars are excited about the celebration of Christ's birthday. They attend midnight Mass and when they get home, they partake of the favorite noche buena fare of jamon, quezo de bola, fruits and special dishes. Then, with much anticipation, they exchange gifts with their family members and friends.

What are some of the memorable Christmas presents that celebrities have received or given?

Top dramatic actress Lorna Tolentino seems to have everything she needs. "Kaya nga sinasabi ng mga friends ko na mahirap akong regaluhan," she says. "Pero minsan mayroong mga bagay na nagpapasaya sa akin. Hindi na kailangang malalaki o mamahaling bagay. Minsan isang bagay lang na kailangan sa bahay na hindi ko pa nabibili. Nag-e-enjoy akong maka-receive ng ibang gamit sa kitchen na kulang ako. It's not really the price, it really is the thought that counts."

Lorna treasures the thoughtful cards she receives from her children, Renz and Ralph, not only during Christmas, but anytime they think of giving her a written token of their appreciation for her. As for the ones she gives away, Lorna can't think of anything memorable. She has a long list of people to give gifts to, she informs us--including her and her husband Rudy Fernandez's 100-plus godchildren!

Michelle van Eimeren shares LT's views: "I don't really look at a gift's material value," she says. "It's more about experiences and the people, I've shared them with. I like material things but my husband and I try not to focus on those things as the most important in our lives.

"Ogie always gives me nice jewelry. My mom, too--plus underwear and clothes. But I can't say that they're my favorites. They're all nice, but I also like simple things. Kahit ano naman."

The point, Michelle adds, is they chose those gifts specially for her. She keeps this rule in mind when she's making her own Christmas list--which is 12 pages long this year! "I personally choose the gift for each person on the list," she smiles.

Bing Loyzaga agrees, "That's why I start my shopping early. Pagpasok ng 'ber,' nag-i-start na ako. I also try to make every gift special--I make sure it's something of use to the recipient, at tipong 'yun ang personality ng taong pagbibigyan ko. Hindi ako 'yung maramihan kung bumili at bahala na!" Bing also wraps and distributes the gifts herself.

Although Bing paints, she rarely gives away her artworks as presents. Instead, she says, "I try to see what people are into or what I notice na gamit na gamit na nila pero hindi nila mapalitan. These are the things that they really need and use. I don't want my gift to collect dust in their homes."

What about the most memorable gifts she has received? "Last year lang," she replies, "may gift ako from Janno na ang bigat-bigat. Pag bukas ko, dalawang Snickers chocolates na six-pack. Haping-happy ako kasi favorite ko talaga 'yun!

"But later on, he gave me another gift--a ring--na I didn't expect to receive from him, of all people. Para bang, 'Why? Masaya na ako dito sa Snickers.' But it was a very nice surprise, given in a very weird way."

Marvin Agustin, on the other hand, gave and received his most memorable Christmas gift in 1997. "For the first time," he remembers with pride, "I moved into my new townhouse with my family. Matagal kong pinag-ipunan 'yun kaya, nang makita kong masaya ang pamilya ko, lalo akong sumaya!"

Ina Raymundo likewise got a posh dwelling place (a condominium unit on Valencia Street in Quezon City) last year as a special gift for herself. "Parati kasi akong loveless kapag Christmas," she says, shaking her head. "My longest relationship lasted only for seven months."

Grinning, Wowie de Guzman has a complaint, too. "Ako ang parating nagbibigay ng regalo," he quips. But he quickly points out that the letters his family members give him are good enough for him. "'Yung mga friends ko ang nagbibigay ng shirts. 'Yung mga fans naman ang nagpapadala ng kung anu-ano."

Karen Davila and Stella Ruiz are lucky to have family members who willingly act as Santa Claus.

"When I was 12 years old," Karen recalls, "I wanted a Barbie doll and I got it from my parents. A memorable Christmas for me, on the other hand, was when all of my cousins came here from abroad and we started singing 'Jingle Bells' in a weird way. Now, we sing gospel songs. Christmas has become more of a spiritual occasion for my family."

Several Christmases ago, Stella's elder brother gifted her with a new dress. "I was so touched because he had just gotten a job and he spent part of his salary to buy me a dress," she relates, eyes sparkling. "That's the most memorable gift I have ever received."

Jo Ramos can't forget the time her father became president in 1992. "I had to sacrifice a lot of my dreams because his position was already a given," she recalls. "Gift ko rin sa kanya na hindi ako nagrebelde and I supported him all the way. I think it was nice because it wasn't a material thing that needed to be gift-wrapped."

Ai Ai de las Alas concurs with glee. That's why, for the past five years, she's been visiting a charitable institution on Christmas Day to share her blessings with the less fortunate. "The first time I went there," she recounts with utter seriousness, "naiyak ako. Doon ko nakita na marami talagang mahirap sa Pilipinas. Mabuti na lang at mayroon akong pamilya na nauuwian.

"So every year, may ina-assign 'yung mga madre sa akin na dalhin sa Pasko. Minsan, puro fruits o tuwalya. This year, t-shirts naman. Gift ko sa kanila 'yun pero parang gift na rin para sa akin."

Becoming her funny self again, Ai Ai complains that she hasn't received any memorable gifts. "Walang namang nagre-regalo sa akin!" she wails.

Similarly, Gary Estrada can't think of a Christmas gift that he truly treasures. "I usually get designer shirts," he explains. But when it comes to the one thing that he has given to someone, one particular object remains unforgettable to him. "When I was younger," he recalls, "I gave my girlfriend a ring made of white gold, and it made her cry."