Jose Mari Chan reappears, signals start of PH Christmas season

September has arrived, and with it comes the familiar return of Jose Mari Chan. The OPM icon marked the start of the “Ber” months with a special appearance on the morning show “Unang Hirit” on Tuesday, September 1. 

Keeping with the annual tradition, Chan performed his beloved Christmas classic “Christmas in Our Hearts,” helping set the festive mood as the Philippines begins its much-anticipated Christmas countdown.

Chan was joined on the morning show by Baus Rufo, one of Unang Hirit’s hosts, who appeared as a “Mariah Carey” impersonator as part of the program’s celebration of the first day of the “Ber” months.

For decades, “Christmas in Our Hearts” has been a staple during the long and early Christmas celebration in the Philippines. Released in 1990, the song has become so closely associated with the start of the holiday season that Chan himself has become a popular meme.

Every year, internet users flood social media with humorous posts welcoming “Jose Mari Chan Day,” with his smiling face becoming a symbol of the holiday season.

The 81-year-old has even played along with the jokes surrounding his annual return. He previously quipped that his song makes him “forever young.”

His connection to the “Ber” months, however, goes beyond the memes. His timeless holiday songs have become an unofficial signal that the country’s famously long Christmas season has begun. From September onward, his Christmas tracks can be heard in shopping malls and public spaces across the country. 

The popularity of “Christmas in Our Hearts” has also cemented Chan’s place as one of the most recognizable figures associated with Filipino Christmas. 

The song is the best-selling Filipino Christmas record in history and remains one of the biggest-selling OPM songs of all time. 

Its warm, family-oriented sound reflects the spirit that Filipinos embrace throughout the Christmas season, which stretches from September to December.  “A Perfect Christmas” is another holiday favorite in his repertoire.

Chan’s enduring popularity has also kept him active in music. Even though he entered showbiz in the mid-1960s, he has previously expressed that retirement is not on his mind. He has no plans to stop writing songs and performing as long as people continue to listen to his music.

He recently surprised audiences with a special appearance at the Araneta Coliseum during a tech firm's 10th anniversary event, where he performed “Christmas in Our Hearts” and “Tell Me Your Name.”

Chan will reunite with The CompanY for the sold out “Timeless Harmonies” concert at the Music Museum on September 12. 

The veteran singer is also preparing for a busy holiday season, headlining the concert "A Christmas with the OPM Icons" on December 12 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater. 

Although Chan is best known for his Christmas music, his musical influence extends well beyond the holiday season. Some of OPM’s most recognizable songs including “Beautiful Girl,” “Please Be Careful with My Heart,” “Constant Change,” “A Love to Last a Lifetime,” and “Can We Just Stop and Talk Awhile” are all written and performed by him. 

Still, when September rolls around, Chan will again return and welcome the Christmas season.