Jose Mari Chan | Image: Screengrab from YouTube/TicTalk with Aster Amoyo
While he’s “flattered” by all the Christmas memes that had him ushering the “Ber-months,” veteran singer Jose Mari Chan said that he doesn’t want people to overdo the humorous social media postings about him as it might elicit “negative reactions.”
“They’re using the same picture every year,” he joyfully said. “I’m complimented but I don’t want them to overdo it because it could create negative reactions to it instead of being nice and positive but it could create a ‘Sus, siya na naman,’”
Chan underscored that people should not allow his memes to overshadow the real symbol of Christmas.
“I felt flattered, complimented,” he said on the first time he saw the memes. “But I always say don’t let that take away from the real symbol of Christmas — not Santa Claus, but our baby Jesus being born.”
The 79-year-old crooner emphasized that while he’s “grateful” to be called one of the symbols of Christmas in the Philippines, people should acknowledge that Jesus is only the real meaning of Christmas.
“Well, thank God, but I should not be the symbol of Christmas,” he said. “Because there’s really only one symbol of Christmas and that’s the baby Jesus, His birth. It should not be anybody else but our Lord Jesus Christ.”
The “Christmas In Our Hearts” singer then thanked his fans for their support and expressed that he’s glad that his songs have managed to touch people’s lives.
Chan recently made headlines after he turned emotional while performing “Christmas in Our Hearts” at an event, which warmed the hearts of netizens, while at the same time worrying them as they pointed out how the singer plays a significant role in the Christmas season for Filipinos.
Over the years, Chan has been dubbed the “Father of Philippine Christmas music” given his monster hits that have managed to stay relevant to this day, including “Christmas in Our Hearts,” “A Perfect Christmas,” “Beautiful Girl,” and “Please Be Careful With My Heart,” among others.
Since the release of his debut album, “Deep in My Heart,” in 1969, the King of Philippine Christmas Carols has won numerous Awit Awards, such as Best Christmas Recording, Album of the Year, and Best Jazz Recording.