Jose Mari Chan turns emotional performing his hit song “Christmas in Our Hearts” | Image: Screengrab from TikTok/@rodmagaru
Jose Mari Chan’s recent emotional performance of “Christmas in Our Hearts” trended online ahead of the ‘ber’ months as netizens pointed out how the singer plays a significant role in the Christmas season for Filipinos.
In a video posted on TikTok, which now has 2.1 million views as of this writing, Chan made his earliest appearance before this year’s Christmas season and was in tears as he performed his hit song “Christmas in Our Hearts” at a recent event.
He also sang his other hits, “Beautiful Girl” and “Please Be Careful With My Heart.”
But his emotional performance appeared to have worried some internet users.
Images from TikTok.
Still some expressed their appreciation for the veteran singer, mentioning how Chan is one of the Christmas symbols in the country.
Image: TikTok
“Lord, Salamat sa buhay ni (thank you for the life of) Jose Marie Chan. He is a big factor in our childhood and Christmas as well,” wrote one netizen.
“Napakaswerte ng generation natin kase inabot natin sya (Our generation is lucky because we were able to reach him). Imagine the next generation? All they will hear are the stories about how Jose Mari Chan is one of the symbols that the holiday season is here,” expressed another netizen.
“Matanda na si Jose Mari Chan (he is old already). It means matanda na din tayong batang 90’s (meaning us 90’s kids are old as well). Ang bilis ng panahon (time flies). Ganun lang pala lilipas ang panahon, noh? (Is that really how time passes?)” reflected one TikTok user.
“Nanood lang din ako, pero naiyak din ako! (I was just watching, and yet I cried too.) The best talaga ang mga Christmas songs ni Mr. Jose Marie Chan! (His songs are the best)” added another online user.
“Mas manibago tayo pag wala na JMC na kakanta ng Christmas song, kaya i-appreciate natin siya (it will be a different feeling once JMC is gone, so we better appreciate him now.)” said one fan.
Image: TikTok
Given his contribution to the local music industry, the 79-year-old was recently nominated by the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FFCCCI) to be one of the country’s national artists.
Chan was first nominated in 2022 by the same organization, as they affirmed that the Filipino-Chinese singer is “long overdue to be a national artist given that his songs aren’t just for the elite and everyone has been inspired by him.”
Over the years, Chan has won numerous Awit Awards in different categories, such as Best Christmas Recording, Album of the Year, and Best Jazz Recording.
Since the release of his debut album, “Deep in My Heart,” in 1969, the King of Philippine Christmas Carols has sold millions of copies of his albums and is one of the best-selling Filipino recording artists of all time.