The Christmas in our Hearts is upon us

The song is old. It has been around for over two decades. Of course, since it is a Christmas song, it is expected to resurface come holiday time every year. Just like the way that Silent Night and White Christmas do. Still, the way Christmas in our Hearts exploded in the media last Sept. 1 is something we have never seen before.

As it had been these past months, the day was sunny but the atmosphere was bleak. The COVID-19 virus continues to rage. The world is in fear. The future remains uncertain. Will we be able to celebrate Christmas like we used to this year? After all, there are only three months to go until the blessed day. Then Christmas in our Hearts, the duet by Jose Mari Chan and his daughter Lisa started playing.

The song played and played and played wherever music was usually played on that day. The malls remained closed. The shops, too. The restaurants served only take-outs. But there was this Christmas song. Christmas on Sept. 1! Foreigners out here probably thought us strange. Fall is not even here yet. More so, if they had come across the newspaper items hereabouts and the posts on social media.

The news shows and papers of the day found the recycled tale of Christmas in our Hearts good copy, even as front-page material. A lot of them lauded Chan as our very own Mr. Christmas or the Father of Philippine Christmas Music.

We read again about how Chan met aspiring songwriter Rina Caniza after hearing Sunday Mass. To give her a break, he gave her a melody to write lyrics to and this became Christmas in our Hearts. It was retold how Lea Salonga, the original choice for the duet, was not allowed to record the song by her US record label. Lisa stepped in at the last minute and did a great job.

But it was on the Internet where Christmas in our Hearts really had a blast. The posts ranged from the sublime to the inane, funny even absurd. There were cover versions by unknown singers including families. One or two came up with parodies. One was COVID-19 in our Hearts. Would you believe there was even a suggestion to make Sept. 1, Christmas in our Hearts day, the official start of the Philippine Christmas Season!

The memes that came out were just incredible. My favorite is still the Winter is Coming inspired by the TV series Game of Thrones from a few years back. Too bad strict copyright laws prevent me from sharing it here. But several new ones came out this year that were good for a lot of laughs and some screams. “Here’s Johnny.” Eeeek!

Christmas in our Hearts came out in November 1990 as one of the cuts in the album of the same title. The songs were classics Mary’s Boy Child, theater, A Christmas Carol, oldies pop, Count Your Blessings and Chan originals, Perfect Christmas. But Christmas in our Hearts easily stood out. It had this infectious, sparkling quality and although written with English lyrics so embodied the Filipino sentiments during the Christmas Season.

Part of that is giving. We like to give, to share what we have, most especially during Christmas time. This was not lost on store owners who made sure that they played Christmas in our Hearts to encourage people to shop for presents.

They did it first in November. After all, during those days, Christmas out here did not begin until after All Saints Day. It worked beautifully. So, the next year, to do better business, they played it earlier. And earlier. And earlier. Until we came to this point.

Can’t really blame them. It was good for business. Besides, the song does evoke feel-good feelings. Think joy, peace, hope, love. At a time like this when we can use all the help we can get, there is Christmas in our hearts.