Julie Anne San Jose, Jona, BINI recall caroling memories

Prior to show biz, caroling around the neighborhood was one of the many fun ways some of our local singers got to express their passion and talent. Here are some of their favorite memories of going from one house to another, hoping that their wonderful voices prompt generous aguinaldo and not exasperated pleas of, “Patawad!”

Jona

Jona —FACEBOOK

We had tambourines made with tansan and drums made of milk cans. Of course, I was one of the main singers! We would visit one house after another. I didn’t really have a competitive spirit when I was young, so I just made sure that I sang the songs well.

As long as you’re in tune, people give a good amount. If we were lucky, we would get P50, P100. But more often than not, we got P1 or P2. We also got the inevitable “Patawad!” And in which case, we would start singing, ‘Thank you. Thank you. Ang babarat ninyo. Thank you!’

However, I had to stop doing it once I started joining contests and working. We also moved houses, so I stopped seeing the kids I used to go caroling with. But I’m glad I got to experience it when I was young.

Julie Anne San Jose

Julie Anne San Jose —FACEBOOK

I used to go caroling before I entered show biz. We would go out and perform for our neighbors. We would ask our godparents and relatives, our lolos and lolas for aguinaldo. And even if Christmas is over, we would still go out singing.

It was a fun time in our lives when everything was simpler. And I felt that experience made me feel what it’s like to be a kid.

Also read our Yearend Special: Celebrity weddings, engagement that headlined 2023

Jessica Villarubin

Jessica Villarubin —FACEBOOK 

We used to start caroling once December started. We sang for every house, even of those we didn’t know. And then, we’d go home happy. Our palms would be red from all the pounding of the tambourine!

Thea Astley

Thea Astley —FACEBOOK

I only got to experience it when my family and I went to Bicol for the holidays. That means I was not very close to the kids around and the neighbors. I was also quite shy. But somehow, I managed to join their caroling trips and I often get asked to hold the drums made of cans!

Hannah Precillas

Hannah Precillas —FACEBOOK

In high school, my choirmates and I would sing multiple songs along the way. And then, for one house, we thought of singing “O Holy Night.” Mataas! But my friends managed to convince me once. “Ngayon lang, ha,” I would tell them. Surprisingly enough, we got a big amount from the homeowner. After that, we went back to singing the usual songs and got the usual amount. So before I knew it, they were making me sing “O Holy Night” for every home!

Aiah of BINI

Aiah of BINI —FACEBOOK

I used to do it not just for a day, but almost every day of December. And when our neighbors would hear our voices from afar, some of them would promptly close their windows! But it was always a fun experience.

What we realized is that if you hand out an envelope, the people will be inclined to put in a bill instead of coins!

Gwen of BINI

Gwen of BINI —FACEBOOK

Kapag maganda ang gate, ’yun ang pinupuntahan namin!

Colet of BINI

Colet of BINI —FACEBOOK

When you’re part of a big group and you have a guitar—malaki ang bigayan! Or we greet them, “Merry Christmas to Mr. and Mrs. [family name]. That works, too!