You know that it’s already Christmas Season in the Philippines when you start to hear the songs of Jose Mari Chan in shopping malls, market, and even in your house. You might also hear children sing these Christmas songs together with their tamborines and drums every night asking for a simple token.
Here are the top 10 Christmas Songs you might want to include in your playlist this Holiday Season:
1. Kampana ng Simbahan
Ang kampana’y tuluyang nanggigising
Upang tayong lahat ay manalangin
Ang bendisyon kapag nakamtan na
Tayo’y magkakaroon ng higit na pag-asa
This song reflects to a Filipino Tradition during Christmas Season – Simbang Gabi also known as Misa de Gallo. Going to church 9 days before the Christmas Day has been part of the annual celebration of Filipinos way back then and it is believed that if you completed the 9-day novena mass, your wish would be granted. It’s an invitation to people to wake up early and attend the mass.
2. Noche Buena (Kay Sigla ng Gabi)
Tayo na, giliw, magsalo na tayo
Mayroon na tayong tinapay at keso.
‘Di ba Notse Bwena sa gabing ito
At bukas ay araw ng Pasko!
Filipinos’ Christmas celebration won’t be complete without Noche Buena, the perfect time to bond with your family. This song depicts that no matter how simple or elegant your Noche Buena is, the important thing is that you are with your loved ones.
3. Sa Maybahay ang Aming Bati
Ang sanhi po ng pagparito
Hihingi po ng aginaldo
Kung sakaling kami’y perhuwisyo
Pasensya na kayo’t kami’y namamasko.
This is probably one of the favorite songs of the children as it is sang in a fun and polite way whenever they carol and ask for aginaldo – a Christmas present usually in form of money.
4. Kumukutikutitap
Kumukuti-kutitap, bumubusi-busilak
Ganyan ang indak ng mga bombilya
Kikindat-kindat, kukurap-kurap
Pinaglalaruan ang iyong mga mata
The Philippines is one of the many countries in the world that has the longest Christmas celebration. It is felt as soon as the Ber months approache and we start decorating our homes and surroundings with Christmas elements.
5. Sa Araw ng Pasko
Ang pasko ay kay saya kung kayo’y kapiling na
Sana pagsapit ng pasko, kayo’y naririto
Kahit pa malayo ka, kahit nasaan ka pa
Maligayang bati para sa inyo sa araw ng pasko
This song empathizes to Filipino families whose members are not complete this coming Christmas . It is very sad to celebrate holidays without our loved one since we all know that Filipinos are family-oriented and all we want for Christmas is to be together.
6. Christmas in Our Hearts
Let’s sing Merry Christmas and a happy holiday
This season may we never forget the love we have for Jesus
Let him be the one to guide us as another new year starts
And may the spirit of Christmas be always in our hearts
This is very popular song by the one and only Jose Mari Chan that pinpoints a very important thing not only during Christmas but also everyday – sharing, love and unity for one another.
7. Give Love on Christmas Day
Give love on Christmas Day
No greater gift is there than love
What the world needs is love
Yes, the world needs your love
For the past months, we were filled with some negativities. And to release these negativities, we have to spread Love because love will make the world go round.
8. Mano po Ninong; Mano po Ninang
Mano po Ninong, mano po Ninang
Narito kami ngayon
Humahalik sa inyong kamay
Salamat Ninong, salamat Ninang
Sa aginaldo pong inyong ibinibigay
It is also a song used to sing by the kids during caroling. This shows the unique way of Filipinos of greeting the elderly – pagmamano. And after this, a gift is waiting for you.
9. O Magsaya
O magsaya at magdiwang
Pagka’t sumilang na
Ang Hari ng lahat (ang Hari ng lahat)
Kaya’t ating buksan (kaya’t ating buksan)
Ang pinto ng ating pagmamahal
This is the Tagalog Version of the song Joy to the World. It is a song celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus. This is the time to happy for the gift of God has come.
10. Star ng Pasko
Ang nagsindi nitong ilaw
Walang iba kundi ikaw
Salamat sa liwanag mo
Muling magkakakulay ang pasko
This is the Christmas Station ID of ABS-CBN way back 2009. It tells that the savior is the star – the light and guide of everyone.
These are just some of the songs that we usually hear during Christmas Season. May these songs not only entertain us but also serve as reminders on the things that we should focus on and value during this special celebration.
Lester de Castro
Writer, Website Team - Media Ministry
To those who know him, no words are required. To those who do not, no words will suffice. Lester R. de Castro is a “scholar ng bayan” at Polytechnic University of the Philippines taking up Accountancy, Business, and Management. Lester belongs to his batches’ "Cream of the Crop" dominating to a remarkable vision of the future. Currently, as a website writer of DSPNSDA’s Media and Public Information Ministry, the talents and skills he received from the Almighty above are being used and shared not only for his own good but for the good of others as well. He believes that in life, God must be the center who guides us towards the right path.
