AN UNCHANGING CHRISTMAS SPIRIT

It’s that one cold morning when you are awakened by your neighbor’s early loudspeaker session, playing a nostalloudspeaker session, playing a nostalgic melody familiar to your ears. It is unusual that you are not mad about it unusual that you are not mad about it like you always do and we totally understand why. Though it has only been the start of -Ber months, Jose Mari Chan’s voice can start of -Ber months, Jose Mari Chan’s voice can now be heard in your area. As you know, it will now be heard in your area. As you know, it will continue until Christmas is over. continue until Christmas is over.

A Filipino Christmas is incomplete without Tito A Filipino Christmas is incomplete without Tito

Joe. His soothing voice follows us everywhere Joe. His soothing voice follows us everywhere from the comforts of our homes, the radio on a from the comforts of our homes, the radio on a jeepney or a taxi in the middle of the road, the jeepney or a taxi in the middle of the road, the morning TV programs, to the busy shopping malls. morning TV programs, to the busy shopping malls.

It warms up the cold breeze of December and sets It warms up the cold breeze of December and sets the tune for the yuletide season. Dubbed the Father the tune for the yuletide season. Dubbed the Father of Filipino Christmas Music, people grew up lisof Filipino Christmas Music, people grew up listening to his holiday-hit songs. Some of these are A tening to his holiday-hit songs. Some of these are A Perfect Christmas, December 25, Pinoy Na Krismas, Perfect Christmas, December 25, Pinoy Na Krismas, A Wish on A Christmas Night, Pagdating Ng Pasko, A A Wish on A Christmas Night, Pagdating Ng Pasko, A Little Christmas Tree, and many others. Among these, Little Christmas Tree, and many others. Among these, Christmas in Our Hearts is probably the most popular. Christmas in Our Hearts is probably the most popular.

“Whenever I see girls and boys selling lanterns on “Whenever I see girls and boys selling lanterns on the streets, I remember the child in a manger as he the streets, I remember the child in a manger as he sleeps. Whenever there are people, giving sleeps. Whenever there are people, giving gifts, exchanging cards, I believe that gifts, exchanging cards, I believe that Christmas is truly in their hearts,” Christmas is truly in their hearts,” The opening line of the said song The opening line of the said song captures a true picture of what captures a true picture of what Christmas looks like in the PhilipChristmas looks like in the Philippines. There is this innocence in pines. There is this innocence in the lyrics that never gets old. He the lyrics that never gets old. He enumerates in this piece the reaenumerates in this piece the reasons for the season. Christmas is sons for the season. Christmas is not just about giving, uniting, not just about giving, uniting, and peace-making. Ultimately, and peace-making. Ultimately, it is a time of remembering it is a time of remembering the hope that the birth of the the hope that the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ brought to Lord Jesus Christ brought to mankind. mankind. Tito Joe narrates a story Tito Joe narrates a story through his music that through his music that resonates within the very resonates within the very soul of every Filipisoul of every Filipino. Far more than the no. Far more than the hanging lanterns, the hanging lanterns, the er. He gently reminds us that Christmas is a time of healing, closing gaps, and mending relationships. Thus, it is the people we spend the season with that are important.

During the pandemic, we spent Christmas with the restrictions and health protocols that prohibited gatherings. The streets are null of the joyful noises and sweet choruses of people, young and old, caroling from house to house. Friends cannot visit, and other family members who are far away cannot come home. Nevertheless, Tito Joe saved our Christmas through his appearances in TV shows where they have him sing our all-time favorite songs of his. It somehow brought people closer despite the distance and the situation.

At 77, Jose Mari Chan continues to share an unchanging Christmas spirit not just with his voice anymore but fi lls our screens as well with his heart-melting smile. In recent years, he has been the face of many brands, one of which is the Shopee 12.12 Christmas Campaign every year. He also invaded the internet as he is a popular subject of memes with relatable themes that give good vibes at the same time. Tiktok remixes, be it slowed, lofi , jazz, or trap, are created by netizens wherein they can dance to the beat or splice it with images and videos of their Christmas memories with the people they love.

Certainly, as we greet midnight this coming December 25, we can watch Tito Joe on various TV networks serenading us with his undying Christmas songs as we enjoy Noche Buena with our family and friends. Jose Mari Chan’s songs will forever embody a true Pinoy Christmas. It is music that transcends the test of time. Whenever it meets our ears, it’s like eating the same dish every year without growing tired of it or meeting an acquaintance frequently but you’re just as excited as in the fi rst meeting. Through his songs, Christmas will always feel the same as it was.

Tomorrow, when it is cold in the morning and you are awakened by your neighbor’s early loudspeaker session, playing Tito Joe’s nostalgic melody close to your heart, listen for a moment, snuggle through your sheets, sleep in a little while, and be fi lled with the love, joy, peace, and hope that comes along with it.

glow of the lights, the colorful ornaments that adorn glow of the lights, the colorful ornaments that adorn the Christmas trees, and the sumptuous food during the Christmas trees, and the sumptuous food during Noche Buena, is the love that binds a family togethNoche Buena, is the love that binds a family together. He gently reminds us that Christmas is a time of healing, closing gaps, and mending relationships. Thus, it is the people we spend the season with that are important.

During the pandemic, we spent Christmas with the restrictions and health protocols that prohibited gatherings. The streets are null of the joyful noises and sweet choruses of people, young and old, caroling from house to house. Friends cannot visit, and other family members who are far away cannot come home. Nevertheless, Tito Joe saved our Christmas through his appearances in TV shows where they have him sing our all-time favorite songs of his. It somehow brought people closer despite the distance and the situation.

At 77, Jose Mari Chan continues to share an unchanging Christmas spirit not just with his voice anymore but fi lls our screens as well with his heart-melting smile. In recent years, he has been the face of many brands, one of which is the Shopee 12.12 Christmas Campaign every year. He also invaded the internet as he is a popular subject of memes with relatable themes that give good vibes at the same time. Tiktok remixes, be it slowed, lofi , jazz, or trap, are created by netizens wherein they can dance to the beat or splice it with images and videos of their Christmas memories with the people they love.

Certainly, as we greet midnight this coming December 25, we can watch Tito Joe on various TV networks serenading us with his undying Christmas songs as we enjoy Noche Buena with our family and friends. Jose Mari Chan’s songs will forever embody a true Pinoy Christmas. It is music that transcends the test of time. Whenever it meets our ears, it’s like eating the same dish every year without growing tired of it or meeting an acquaintance frequently but you’re just as excited as in the fi rst meeting. Through his songs, Christmas will always feel the same as it was.

Tomorrow, when it is cold in the morning and you are awakened by your neighbor’s early loudspeaker session, playing Tito Joe’s nostalgic melody close to your heart, listen for a moment, snuggle through your sheets, sleep in a little while, and be fi lled with the love, joy, peace, and hope that comes along with it.