“Sparkling lights all over town

Children’s carols in the air

By the Christmas tree

A shower of stardust on your hair”

– Jose Mari Chan, “A Perfect Christmas”

November 28, 2019. It was the launch of Christmas 2019 celebration at the University of the Philippines Manila with the lighting of the Christmas Tree in front of the Philippine General Hospital. And who else should be there to launch it but the man whose song ushers in the Pinoy Christmas season in September. Jose Mari Chan called himself the “Little Drummer Boy” who heralds the coming of the season as his name is practically synonymous with the start of the Filipino Christmas season.

Just when the audience heard the voice of Jose Mari Chan singing “A Perfect Christmas” in a clear and gentle voice as familiar as Christmas, they knew that this joyous season has already started.

He then called his daughter in front and sang the very famous “Christmas in our Hearts”. The song was released in 1990 and is nearing its 30th year anniversary next year. The song has been since then became timeless and the modern world teeming the internet with Jose Mari Chan memes whenever September hits.

After singing his Christmas playlist, he started to sing his famous love songs including “Beautiful Girl”, “Deep In My Heart”, “Please Be Careful With My Heart” and “Can We Just Stop And Talk Awhile”. The old ladies (at their 50s to 60s) in the crowd went gaga when they heard these songs. Jose Mari Chan even told the story behind his song “Refrain” which he composed for his wife (then his girlfriend) who was studying in Japan at that time.

At the age of 74, Jose Mari Chan still has this soothing voice that’s so calming and relaxing. His heartwarming songs are timeless and will be remembered by more generations to come.