Christmas is only a few hours away. As a country known for having one of the longest holiday seasons in the world, we start our unique way of celebrating the season by playing Christmas carols as early as September or when the “-ber” months start. This early start creates an atmosphere of anticipation, and it gradually builds up as the months go on.
And once September begins, Christmas music becomes omnipresent in all public spaces. Mall jingles, radio playlists, and even TV specials all start to feature Christmas songs. This early music exposure creates a joyful atmosphere that lasts for months. And with that in mind, we have rounded up some friends and asked them what Christmas carols or songs mark the season for them and here are their responses.
While the rest of the world has Mariah Carey to herald the holidays, the Philippines has Jose Mari Chan. Come 1 September, local meme accounts post art cards featuring a sliver of Chan’s face in the corner, signaling his time to shine.
Mars: “Jose Mari Chan is a long-time friend of my aunt. He always visits her and sings it to her on 23 December. I also like the message that resonates deeply with people who are looking for meaning beyond the commercial aspects of Christmas.”
Angel: “As a child of the 1990s, the song was always played as part of school performances. That and classical conditioning.”
Andre: “Hearing the song brings a sense of nostalgia and connection to past celebrations, helping me relive fond memories of holidays spent with loved ones, especially those who have passed on.”
Volt: “Jose Mari Chan’s soothing and heartfelt voice matches the song’s sentimental tone. It’s warm and sincere, evoking emotions that make it a Christmas staple. I also play his Christmas album at home every year.”
Ricca: “The song’s positivity and uplifting message remind us that Christmas is about family and togetherness.”
Luis: “Whenever I hear Christmas in Our Hearts, I get nostalgic. As kids, my friends and I would sing it while caroling, and we’d hear other kids singing it around the neighborhood.”
Leona: “Jose Mari Chan has become the national symbol of Christmas in the country, because his songs are so timeless. Christmas in Our Hearts evokes a feeling of nostalgia that brings me back to childhood memories and holiday joy.”
Mariah Carey’s rendition of All I Want for Christmas Is You reigns as a holiday anthem. Released in 1994, it has become a global Christmas staple and an annual meme. Every 1 November, Carey herself declares, “It’s time!” to kick off the season.
Sabrina: “It has become a tradition. Whenever it’s being played in the malls or supermarkets, it signals the start of the holidays — even as early as September. It also reminds me of the year’s end and the whirlwind of holiday preparations.”
Benj: “I get nostalgic whenever I hear the song. My mind automatically goes to Christmas and the fun memories with family and friends.”
Reggie: “It’s the quintessential signal for the season! But I don’t get excited for it as there is so much societal pressure come the holidays: the rounds of parties, gift-giving, infernal traffic, the crowded malls. It makes my introverted self wanna barricade the gates and slam the doors shut.”
Phoebe: “Once this song plays, you know malls are already decked out for Christmas. It’s usually right on cue every September 1.”
Jade: “Whenever I hear that song, I automatically think of presents. It always gets me excited for the holidays when it's played in the malls.”
Will: “Growing up, my mom would always play Jingle Bell Rock or Christmas in Our Hearts by Jose Mari Chan when the -ber months started. My mom would play these songs starting September, as a way to start the day. I would always hear this while I was getting ready for school. These songs bring me back to my childhood, and now, I play them for my son too.”
Kenn: “The song is peaceful and soothing. During the holidays, life becomes chaotic: grocery shopping for Noche Buena, buying gifts, enduring traffic, and juggling everything. Silent Night offers a moment of calm amid the frenzy.”
Gary Valenciano's song Pasko Na, Sinta Ko has become a beloved Christmas classic, and is widely played during the holiday season. The song is about longing, love, and reunion. The lyrics express the heartache of being away from a loved one during Christmas, a time typically associated with family, warmth, and togetherness, which is the case for many Filipinos who have loved ones abroad.
Figgy: “I lived in Japan for several years, and whenever I missed home during the holidays, I listened to this song. It brought back childhood memories of Christmas with my parents and brothers.”
Sjenica: "Pop-y Christmas songs are fun and uplifting during the holidays, but they can sometimes feel a bit cheesy. I prefer Christmas songs with a more folkloric undertone. For me, Carol of the Bells elevates Christmas into a feeling of reverie and sacredness."