By Robert Requintina
As the calendar turns to September, a delightful transformation sweeps across the Philippines, heralding the enchanting arrival of the "ber" months. The air is filled with anticipation as the beloved holiday anthems of Jose Mari Chan and Mariah Carey start to echo through homes and bustling streets.
Though Christmas is still three months away, Filipinos have already embraced the festive spirit, eagerly tuning in to the magical melodies that usher in the season.
Joy radiates from every corner as Chan’s heartwarming "Christmas In Our Hearts" and Carey's iconic "All I Want For Christmas (Is You)" become the soundtrack of joyful gatherings, family reunions, and cozy nights.
It’s a time when the warmth of nostalgia intertwines with the shimmering promise of the holidays, igniting the hearts of many in a joyful celebration of love and togetherness.
'Christmas In Our Hearts'
"I'm neither at home nor at work in my business," said Jose Mari, when asked what keeps him busy before the "ber" months, during an interview on "Fast Talk With Boy Abunda" on GMA Network in 2023.
Chan, 80, is known as "The Father of Philippine Christmas Music" following the release of his blockbuster album, "Christmas In Our Hearts," in 1990. He recalled the origins of "Christmas In Our Hearts."
"The melody itself was composed in 1988 to a poem by my friend Chari Cruz Zarate, "Ang Tubig Ay Buhay," which she used as a high school jubilee song," said Chan.
Chan continued, "So I wrote the melody, and I never thought that two years later, I would use that melody for a Christmas song. Universal Records approached me and said it's time we make a Christmas album, given the success of "Please Be Careful With My Heart," "Beautiful Girl," and others.
"So I thought of that melody, and I got a friend of mine, Rina Caniza, to come to the house, and I gave her the melody. Together, we worked on the lyrics.
"At that time, Lea Salonga was a hit because of Miss Saigon. So I approached her and asked if she could do a duet with me. Sabi niya, 'Yes, I'll be glad, too!' She heard the song and liked the melody, except that her recording company would not allow her to record for a competing label.
"So my next choice was Monique Wilson, an understudy of Miss Saigon. I like her. She's a nice person with a beautiful voice. Unfortunately, she went to Tagaytay and lost her voice. She called me.
"I think the Holy Spirit was leading me towards my daughter, Liza. Since Universal Records was rushing, 'Joe, it's October, we need to come up with an album!' I went to my daughter's bedroom and said, 'What are you doing?' She said, 'I was cramming for my exams.' I said, 'Can you learn the song quickly? I want to record this with you. Okay. When? This Wednesday. To make a long story short, she and I went to the recording studio, and the rest is history."
All I Want for Christmas (Is You)
In September 2024, Carey joined Filipino fans in welcoming the holiday season early.
Carey shared a link to her hit song and encouraged her Filipino fans to start playing the Christmas song at the beginning of the "ber" months.
Filipinos start to celebrate the holidays in the Philippines as early as September.
"Philippines, it's time (only for you!!)," Mariah wrote. "I hope you're all safe and well. Let’s celebrate together."
In 2023, Mariah reposted a tweet from a fan page indicating that her song "All I Want for Christmas Is You" was streamed 75 percent more in the Philippines than in any other country.
Mariah Carey (Instagram)
On Dec. 30, 2024, Billboard reported that Carey's “All I Want for Christmas Is You” topped the Billboard Hot 100 for an 18th total week.
"The carol, which leads for a fourth consecutive week this holiday season, moves to within one week of the longest domination in the chart’s 66-year history, after only the 19-week rules of Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” this year and Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road,” featuring Billy Ray Cyrus, in 2019.
“All I Want for Christmas Is You” was initially released on Carey’s album Merry Christmas in November 1994 and, as streaming has grown. Holiday music has become more prominent on streaming services’ playlists; it hit the Hot 100’s top 10 for the first time in December 2017 and the top five for the first time in the 2018 holiday season.
"It led at last, before the past four weeks, over the holidays in 2019 (for three weeks), 2020 (two), 2021 (three), 2022 (four), and 2023 (two)."
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