‘Homecoming’ concert is something to cheer about for Pat Boone, Filipino fans

Pat Boone

For seasoned American singer Pat Boone, his coming concert at Smart Araneta Coliseum—where he had done, by his own count, 10 shows—feels like a “homecoming.”

“I love the Philippines. And I hope there are still plenty of people who remember my sold-out concerts at that venue. There’s nothing in my career that has equaled that kind of turnout. I will never forget that,” he told the Inquirer in a recent e-mail interview.

This time, the 82-year-old music artist will topbill a holiday show, titled “A Merry Christmas with Pat Boone,” which will have him performing his takes on some of the most popular carols, including “White Christmas,” “O Come All Ye Faithful,” “Silent Night” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.”

“I’m glad this is happening at Christmastime because, like my Filipino friends, it is my favorite time of the year. We have had Filipinos work in our home, and they got excited when we started putting up decorations,” related Pat, who was one of the best-charting singers in the late 1950s—behind only Elvis Presley, with whom he had a “friendly rivalry.”

Mounted by Ovation Productions, the concert will be held on Dec. 6 (Call 911-5555).

Excerpts from our interview:

Did you ever think that you would also be famous for your Christmas records? I did not think about “being famous” for them. But I do think that I have recorded more Christmas songs and albums than anyone else but Bing Crosby himself.

What are some of your favorites? I have written Christmas songs of my own, and I’ll be singing them in Manila, along with “White Christmas,” “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” and my favorite carol, “Silent Night”—I want everyone to sing with me!

Do you have to be in a certain mood to perform Christmas songs? Great question. As you will see in Manila, I’ll be singing my pop hits. But once I start singing “Jingle Bells” and ask the audience to join in! That’s what’s exciting about Christmas songs … they set the right mood and whenever we sing them together.

How do you usually spend your Christmas? Christmas gets its name from the fact that it is the celebration of Christ, the child … So, it’s as much a sacred time as it is a wondrous celebration. That’s what it means to me.

Also, our family has gotten too big, we cannot celebrate it in one place. I have four daughters, 16 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren—so far! So my wife, Shirley, and I have at least three celebrations at separate places.

What has been your most memorable Christmas? My most memorable was Shirley and my first Christmas together as a married couple—at the age of 19. We were in Denton, Texas, where I was a college student.

Shirley found a demo record I had recorded with the Texas Boys Choir, and she wrapped that as a gift. I gave her a large box that contained several smaller boxes wrapped with Christmas decorations. In the smallest box was a handwritten note that said, “I love you.”

We had no money to give each other anything, so we gave each other to ourselves. That is the one I treasure most.

There has been a lot of divisiveness in the past year because of politics and different social issues. What is your Christmas wish? Indeed, it has been a rough year, in many ways for most people, and all around the world.

We face grave challenges in the months ahead, unless we all unite in prayer to God. If we can invite Him back into our lives, He will help bring about peace and goodwill.