“Chan at his best is Mr. Songwriter, a nod to his original take on ‘Mamang Sorbetero’ released in 1979”
CHURCH bells ring! Wake up! Get dressed, be prepared! For the sounds of the king have arrived.
In a flash, September arrived on a Sunday, designed to celebrate families, and the first few chords of a popular Christmas tune have dominated the broadcasting frequencies.
The 14-note “tolling” marks the start of the longest Christmas season around the world.
Lo and behold, the everlasting classic “Christmas in Our Hearts” has sprung out of the bloom from its own mistletoe, a start to the old Filipino Yuletide.
The song, and its 1990 landmark album, released by composer Jose Mari Chan, features 16 singles; five of which are original compositions, while 11 are from the old collection of Western Christmas songs.
A memorable father-daughter duet, coupled with a crooning love song centered on the festive season and a lot of his takes on familiar carols, made it to the top of the charts.
Weeks after the album’s release, it sold more than 40,000 copies which earned it a triple-platinum certification by the Philippine Association of the Record Industry.
Beyond the commercial accolades, this album became a cultural phenomenon.
Through time, this collection became the staple of many Filipino homes. Chan, a romantic songwriter, was crowned by his adoring fans and listeners “Father Christmas” for his work.
Hold on, maybe it’s time to look back on this title from his longstanding musical career.
Prior to his Christmas album, he revived his “Constant Change” in 1989, with a big positive response, that highlighted the title track “Beautiful Girl” and “Please Be Careful With My Heart.”
His effort to enter the mainstream presence proved successful as it earned him a Platinum certification by the Philippine Association of the Record Industry.
Before “Constant Change,” Chan already penned and sang his songs in the 60s and 70s.
“Afterglow” was his first single released in 1967, followed by “Deep in My Heart” in 1969. In 1973, he represented the Philippines in an international singing competition with “Can We Just Stop and Talk Awhile.”
After his 11-year absence, he returned to the Philippines and his music career. “Tell Me Your Name” was his comeback single, released for his compilation album in 1985.
Chan is also responsible for some of the jingles many Filipinos remain familiar with to date.
“Strictly Commercial” revisited the compositions he penned for companies and brands. He wrote songs for banks, coffees, stationeries, the state TV network, and even the country’s flag carrier.
A cut from this album, commissioned by a multinational Japanese company, was remade into a Christmas song by him in 1990.
One of his well-known jingles went like this: “sa lasang-lasa, walang tatalo…” You can continue with the next words.
You see, Chan is more than just Father Christmas. It would be unfair to limit him as the man behind the season’s songs we know today.
In the first place, there have been Christmas songs released prior to his 1990 album.
There were Vicente Rubi who gave us the melody of “Ang Pasko ay Sumapit,” Manuel Silos with “Kampana ng Simbahan,” and Felipe de Leon for “Pasko Na Naman.”
Even Ryan Cayabyab had his “Kumukutikutitap” in 1987 before Chan’s holiday album.
All the songs are part of a grand collection of famous Filipino carols people sing today.
They, too, deserve the spotlight and humor as widespread as the ones dedicated to Jose Mari Chan’s music.
Chan’s love songs, too, must be given their high regard.
One way or another, this helps lovers romancing in their own honeymoon, or men courting their ladies with his swooning songs.
He must also be the sound of any Valentine’s Day celebration here due to his collection of love songs in his repertoire.
Chan at his best is Mr. Songwriter, a nod to his original take on “Mamang Sorbetero” released in 1979.
(The author, a University of the Philippines Los Baños student, was an intern for Manila Standard between June and Aug. 2024. For comments, email him at ngrolando2003@yahoo.com.)
