Spreading holiday cheer through music

Sassa Dagdag

There’s something about singing Christmas ditties, young singer Sassa Dagdag said, that brings out all the giddiness and happiness in her.

“I enjoy doing such songs because it’s another way for me to inspire and share my talent with the public,” Sassa, a finalist in “The Voice Kids” Season 2, told the Inquirer at the recent launch of PolyEast Records’ latest compilation of Yuletide tunes, “@ Christmas Time,” at the Y Zone Greenfield District.

The event, which doubled as a minicharity show, had Sassa singing “Ang Pasko ay Pasko,” an original R&B-inflected midtempo tune that suits the 17-year-old recording artist’s genre. “I love that it’s not your typical upbeat Christmas song—this gives me the feels,” she said.

“It also sends out a beautiful message; it reminds us to be thankful for what we have,” added Sassa, who dreams of having a popular Christmas song that will be played for years to come.

“That’s something many singers would want. But I’m happy with how my career is going right now,” she said. “I’m thankful that I get to do the things I do. But what I achieve in the future is also up to God.”

Sassa, who counts Ariana Grande and Beyoncé among her musical inspirations, related that some of her most memorable experiences happened during Christmas. “When I was a kid, my family would light a lot of fireworks. And my mother would invite our neighbors to celebrate with us,” she said.

“We even played games… My favorite was when people had to use their mouth to search for coins in a tub filled with flour,” Sassa recalled, giggling.

“@ Christmas Time” is an album that contains six remakes and two original compositions. Aside from “Ang Pasko ay Pasko,” the other songs are: “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” (recorded by Bamboo); “Litrato Ngayong Pasko (TJ Monterde); “Sana Ngayong Pasko” (Chan Millanes); “All I Want for Christmas is You” (Sassa and Chan); “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” (Juan Miguel Severo); “The Christmas Song” (Izzeah); and “Last Christmas” (Drei Raña).

Drei Raña

Singing for charity

For his first Christmas recording, Drei, a newbie acoustic artist, put his own spin on the Wham! classic. “This one’s a bit different. I don’t think I have heard an acoustic version of the song yet,” related the singer-songwriter, who got his start in the biz by utilizing social media to share his song covers with internet users.

Audience members and CD buyers at the show, which was mounted in cooperation with Yamaha Motor Philippines, brought school supplies, canned goods, toiletries and medicine that will be donated to the Caring for the Future Foundation—an institution that helps neglected children.

“I was very excited to perform it in front of the crowd; it was as if I was caroling,” Drei mused.