While Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You" is known as one of the most popular Christmas anthems, and South Korean mega group Exo's "First Snow" revisits South Korean charts as the Christmas season approaches, the Philippines takes pride in Jose Mari Chan, who is known by many as the "Father of Philippine Christmas Music."
As soon as September approaches, Filipinos gear up for the Christmas spirit by starting their Christmas countdown, buying and setting up Christmas decorations, playing holiday playlists, or sharing Christmas-related posts.
Known for the songs "Christmas in Our Hearts," "Mary's Boy Child," and more, Jose Mari Chan is considered the Philippines' Christmas Icon.
The Christmas icon
In Boy Abunda's talk show segment, Fast Talk with Boy Abunda, aired on 1 September, the singer said that he was initially confused with Internet memes about him, but it still gave him a good laugh. However, Chan does not want to be called "The King of Christmas" by Filipinos.
"Because there is only one King of Christmas and that is our Lord Jesus Christ," Chan said.
He also confessed that he did not expect the massive success of his song "Christmas in Our Hearts," noting that his producers suggested a romantic Christmas song instead of a Christian-themed song, but suddenly "Christmas in Our Hearts" became a popular hit at radio stations.
Although his songs are booming in popularity as the holidays are fast approaching, the singer admitted that he does not earn much from his songs anymore.
"The technology has changed: Nobody buys records, nobody buys CDs, nobody buys cassettes anymore," he said. "We earn a little bit from Spotify, [but] not too much… and also from endorsements and doing shows, that's all."
Still, Chan is overjoyed that Filipinos continue to associate him with Christmas up to this day.
"How nice to be associated with [the] Christmas season. I mean, it's the biggest season in the Philippines, and it's the best-loved season." he said.
Despite the busy schedule due to endorsements and upcoming shows until the end of the year, the singer celebrates what truly matters in his life: being married to his wife for more than 50 years and a healthy, beaming grandfather of nine grandchildren.
Jose Mari Chan-approved Christmas content
Aside from the Internet memes and posts of Jose Mari Chan peeking through almost everything as a reminder that Christmas is fast approaching, there is already an abundance of content with the 78-year-old singer that will make you feel the Christmas spirit. On 30 August, social media personality Yasmin Asistido, more popularly known as Kween Yasmin, posted a duet with Chan. Both dressed in red, the duo sang the chorus of "Christmas in our Hearts." As of writing, the video garnered over 120,000 likes and 1.5 million views on Facebook.
Meanwhile, chef and social media personality Ninong Ry and Chan collaborated in a 24-minute-vlog titled, "JOSE MARI CHAN x NINONG RY — ANO PA ANG KULANG SA PASKO?" on 1 September.
In the vlog, the two prepared staple Noche Buena dishes such as macaroni salad, roast chicken, and embutido, while discussing what matters the most during Christmas — keeping the tradition and spending the holiday with our family and loved ones.
Chan is also set to appear on the weekend variety show ASAP Natin 'To along with Jamie Rivera, the World Hip Hop Dance Championship 2023 Adult Division winners, the cast of the youth-oriented show Senior High and more.
Some might say that Christmas does not feel like how it used to be in the past due to the advent of social media, the loss of someone special, the continuous deterioration of quality of life and the economy, or how it becomes a reminder that we are all growing older and we have adult responsibilities to face. Still, entertainers like Jose Mari Chan give us a wave of nostalgia for what Christmas should truly feel like — that the holidays should feel warm and festive even in the smallest of ways. Celebrating Christmas does not have to be glamorous every time, but it should always feel like a comforting hug, an exciting tune to a familiar Christmas song, or a hopeful reminder that we all made it through the end of the year.ac