MANILA -- The "ber" months are here!
And veteran OPM singer-songwriter Jose Mari Chan has officially ushered in the country's extended Christmas season on Monday, September 1, as he opened ABS-CBN's noontime program "It's Showtime."
In the program, the Father of Philippine Christmas Carols performed "Mary's Boy Child" and his ubiquitous holiday hit "Christmas In Our Hearts."
ABS-CBN It's Showtime
After his opening number, Chan expressed his happiness, saying he feels younger gracing the show.
He also noted that even before September, Filipinos were already waiting for him to come out through hilarious social memes.
"I feel really blessed. And in fact this is where I began my career. I was host of ABS-CBN '9 Teeners.' You were not yet born yet. ... God has blessed me with a gift of music," he said.
"Minsan ang tawag na sa akin ay Chan-ta Claus," he joked.
ABS-CBN It's ShowtimeAsked of his Christmas wish this year, Chan replied: "My Christmas wish is for prosperity. Prosperity in our country because there are so many of our brothers and sisters who are in need of our help. So let's share our blessings. Let's share our blessings for those in need."
In a previous interview, Chan said his Yuletide hit “Christmas in Our Hearts,” was first conceptualized in 1988 when he was asked to provide a melody to a poem to be performed at a high school reunion. Chan had no idea then that the same melody would later anchor his first Christmas album. The song was a collaboration between Chan and songwriter Rina Cañiza.
Recorded by Chan and his daughter Liza, it went on to become one of the biggest selling OPM songs in history.
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