While Jose Mari Chan admitted that he feels "blessed" for having been given the chance to have a Christmas song that transcends generations, he said that he is far from being the "King of Christmas carols."

>It’s been more than five decades since Jose Mari Chan started his career in the entertainment industry. But the well-loved singer and composer continues to touch hearts with his classic OPM songs like “Please Be Careful with My Heart,” “Beautiful Girl,” and the classic holiday song “Christmas in our Hearts.” 

Despite all his success, the 78-year-old performer refuses to accept all the credit for his enduring career.

“No, no, no. I’m not the king of Christmas carols. It just so happened that my 33-year-old Christmas song has been handed down to generations so that even young people now, the kids sing that song," he shared during the presscon for the YuleStars Christmas Concert held last November 3 in Pasay City.

"So I’m very blessed with that but I’m not the king of Christmas carols. Long before I was born, there were Christmas carols composed in Cebu, in Bacolod, in Iloilo, in Manila,” he added. 

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On December 1, Jose Mari is set to headline the YuleStars Christmas Concert Series alongside co-performers Christian Bautista and Roselle Nava which aims to raise funds for the less fortunate members and families of the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association (PMAAAI). 

“I always tell people that we have been abundantly blessed. But it’s not for us to keep. So we have to share those blessings with those in need and there are so many out there that need our help," he said.

"So we should not think twice, we should be benevolent. We should be generous. Every morning, my prayer is a prayer of thanksgiving for the gift of life, for the gift of family, for the gift of good health, for the gift of my music. Music that brings joy to others,” he added. 

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Other artists included in the three-day concert lineup are Angeline Quinto and Joey Generoso performing on November 30 and Ogie Alcasid and Nine on December 2 with Ice Seguerra as a special guest for both shows. 

The event will be held at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Circuit Mall in Makati City. 

“I’ve done shows with Roselle and also Christian and I shared a stage together in a few shows. It is exciting for me to be sitting again with Roselle because Roselle and I have not sung together in years. So I was very happy when they told me that I would be doing the show with her," he said.

"And of course, Christian is one of the singers that I always admired so it’s very exciting for me to share the stage with him as well. Christian had an album before called Romance Revisited. That’s my songs. So I would like to think that this show of ours will also revisit romance," he added

"Because there’s so much anger and hatred in the world, in Ukraine, in Israel, there’s so much anger. At least here in the Philippines, because Christ is at the center of our lives, there’s romance, love, kindness, generosity, and benevolence. I’m hoping that Christian and I will not be singing Please Be Careful With My Heart. That’s reserved for Roselle (laughs),” he continued.

Always grateful for his career, the OPM singer and businessman said he will never get tired of performing for his fans. 

“I was singing my songs from the 60s, 70s, 80s to 90s. So that’s what I try to give the audience. Last week I was in Cebu and I was surprised that the audience still remembered my song 'Deep In My Heart' from 1968. So they asked me to sing that. I was surprised. Buti na lang we had the minus one." he said.

"So I sang 'Deep in My Heart' and the audience was singing along to the song. So it brought me tears of joy that my songs are like my children. You know each one is different but when a song like Deep in My Heart is remembered, it is like having a child growing up to become president of a bank or admiral of the Philippine Navy. That’s an accomplishment,” he added.

Tickets for the YuleStars Christmas Concert Series are available via Ticketworld.com.