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Filipino Christmas icon Jose Mari Chan shares inspiration behind his yuletide classics

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Carmellie Ocampo

<p>As the &quot;ber&quot; months roll in, signaling the start of the holiday season, it’s impossible not to think of Jose Mari Chan. His timeless Christmas classics, like &quot;Christmas in Our Hearts&quot; and &quot;A Perfect Christmas,&quot; have become an inseparable part of our festive playlists. Jose Mari sat down with Bernadette Sembrano on “Tao Po” to share the stories behind his iconic songs and his incredible journey in the music industry.</p><p>Jose Mari revealed that his songwriting prowess extends beyond the yuletide season. With over a hundred songs to his name, including OPM hit &quot;Hahanapin Ko,&quot; recorded by Anthony Castelo and Lea Salonga, Jose Mari has left a significant mark on the Philippine music scene. He even penned the classic &quot;Mamang Sorbetero&quot; and “Tararadyin Potpot,” a song for the legendary Dolphy.</p><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="480" referrerPolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IzwmB_Xu60o" title="Tao Po | September 8, 2024" width="1349"></iframe></div><p>His musical roots run deep, nurtured by his maternal grandmother&#x27;s constant play of songs from AM radio, filling his childhood with a symphony of melodies. &quot;So I imbibed that music so at a young age I knew I love music,&quot; Jose Mari shared, reflecting on how these early influences shaped his passion for music.</p><p>Interestingly, Jose Mari’s first foray into songwriting began at the tender age of 13 with a ukulele. Despite his initial struggles and rejections—his early attempts at getting airplay were often met with resistance due to the dominance of American music—Jose Mari’s perseverance paid off. His journey included hosting “9 Teeners,” a variety show aired in 1965.</p><p>Jose Mari candidly admitted that his early songwriting was marked by a limited vocabulary and a tendency to mimic other composers. Yet, his dedication never wavered. Over time, his unique voice emerged, and his songs began to resonate with the public.</p><p>One fascinating tidbit is how &quot;Christmas in Our Hearts&quot; was initially composed as an alumni homecoming song before becoming the Christmas anthem we all cherish. Jose Mari reminisced about his family&#x27;s joyful Christmases in Iloilo, where a photograph of their modest rented home, adorned with a parol and Christmas tree, remains a reminder of his beginnings.</p><p>“Everyday and first thing I do is to give thanks to God for his gift of good health, for the gift of life, for a gift of family, for the gift of my business, and of course for the gift of music. What you do with your life, with your family is for your gift back to God,” Jose Mari said, underscoring his gratitude and the deep connection between his faith and his art.</p><p>Jose Mari’s story is not just about his success but also about his unwavering dedication and the heartfelt memories that fuel his music. As we play his songs this holiday season, we celebrate not just the music but the man behind the melodies.</p>

Jose Mari Chan reflects on his journey from early musical struggles to becoming a beloved holiday icon.