Jose Mari Chan has not only shaped the Filipino music landscape but has also inspired numerous artists to reinterpret his timeless songs.
Known as the best-selling Filipino recording artist and the “King of Philippine Christmas Carols,” Jose Mari Lim Chan is one of the most awarded Filipino singer-composers.
In addition to his music career, Jose Mari is a sugar trader. He is the son of Antonio Chan and Florence Lim, and he is married to Mary Ann Ansaldo, with whom he has five children.
The CCP Encyclopedia credits Jose Mari Chan (JMC) as one of the country’s foremost pop music songwriters. His songs were first heard on the TV teen show he hosted for ABS-CBN in 1966. His 1967 single “Afterglow” was a major success, a significant achievement in a Philippine pop music industry then dominated by foreign music. His first long-playing album, released in 1969, included another hit, “Deep in My Heart,” which also served as the album’s title track. His second album, “Can We Just Stop and Talk a While,” featured a carrier single of the same name and was the country’s entry in the Yamaha World Popular Song Festival held in Tokyo, Japan, in 1973.
“I mainly write in English, so I usually write the lyrics and do the melody of my English songs. But since Filipino is my third language, the second being Ilonggo, I usually collaborate with Filipino writers,” he explained.
From 1970 to 1974, JMC earned a string of FAMAS nominations for his original themes and scores in 26 movies. Between 1974 and 1976, Channel 2 produced multi-awarded television specials that exclusively featured his music. While living in the United States from 1975 to 1986, he continued to write songs for local artists. In this piece, we’ll shine a light on JMC’s outstanding compositions that were interpreted by other artists.
“Minsan Pa” by Janet Basco. An entry to the 1978 Metropop Music Festival had National Artist Rolando Tinio as lyricist with JMC’s music. This was used as a theme song of the movie by Jeffrey Jeturian that starred Ara Mina and Jomari Yllana in 2004. It has since been revived by The Company and Ima Castro.
“Hahanapin Ko” by Anthony Castelo. An entry to the 1980 Metropop Music Festival with Jimmy Santiago writing the lyrics. This has been revived by Martin Nievera and Lea Salonga, and during the tribute to JMC at the Pinoy Playlist Music Festival in 2022, this song, along with “Minsan Pa,” was sung by Arman Ferrer, which JMC said was a moving and perfect rendition of his two classic OPM songs to date, capturing the essence of how he composed them. “Arman should better record them,” he said.
“Ang Nobya Kong Sexy” by the Apo Hiking Society. It was Jim Paredes who did the lyrics matched by JMC’s amusing melody, this served as the theme song of a 1975 comedy movie film starring Joseph Estrada and Gloria Diaz.
“No One Throws Away Memories” by Richard Tann. JMC wrote this for as a jingle for Hallmark cards but was released as a part of Richard Tann’s “Heart and Soul” album in 1982.
“Mamang Sorbetero” by Celeste Legaspi. The English version was “Mr. Songwriter” written and released in 1973 as a protest to the declaration of Martial Law when they closed the TV networks. The song was included in JMC’s “Golden Collection” album released in 1985. It was later given fresh Tagalog lyrics by Gryk Ortaleza which was used as a theme song of a 1979 movie starring Celeste Legaspi and Joseph Estrada that was part of the Metro Manila Film Festival.
“Please Be Careful with My Heart” by Jam Morales. First released in 1985 as a solo piece and was later revived as a duet by JMC and Regine Velasquez in 1988 as part of JMC’s bestselling “Constant Change” album. The song has had recorded version sang by Christian Bautista and Sarah Geronimo, John Prats and Heart Evangelista, Juris and Sam Milby, and later became the title of a hit teleserye with Jodi Sta. Maria and Richard Yap in the lead. Later, Jodi and Richard recorded a version of the song.
“I Remember the Boy” by Joey Albert. Recorded in 1985, it was included in Joey’s “Expressions” album. It was revived by Karylle, Sheryn Regis and even Lea Salonga. Christian Bautista also had a recorded version of it and changed “Boy” to “Girl.”
“Sing Me Your Song Again Daddy” by Cherie Gil. JMC recalled that the idea came from the actress-singer herself. “Cherie Gil and I were doing a back-to-back concert, I think that was in Cebu. During the intermission, we sat down and we began to talk about our lives. She was relating to me her relationship with her father [singer-actor Eddie Mesa]. She was special to her dad,” said JMC. “The story inspired me, I told her, ‘Cherie, you inspired me so much with your story about you and your father. I think I will write a song about that and maybe you could sing it.’ I was inspired that I was able to complete the song in two to three days.”
He fulfilled his promise to Cherie once he got back to Manila. JMC called Cherie and asked to meet her at the Santuario de San Jose Parish in Greenhills. All prepared with the lyrics, Jose Mari proudly showed Cherie the words to the song.
“Nagkita kami inside the church. We sat down together and JMC said, ‘Look at these lyrics. What do you think of these lyrics?’ Cherie said, ‘Wow, it’s so touching. This is what I would say to my father.’
“We recorded it and it became part of ‘Constant Change,’ and it was perfect,” smiled JMC.
“Sing Me Your Song Again, Daddy” would join the songs “Beautiful Girl,” “Please Be Careful with My Heart,” and “Can’t We Start All Over Again” in the “Constant Change album released in May 1989.
“Constant Change” would become the second biggest-selling album in the Philippines with more than 800,000 album sales. It trails behind another Jose Mari Chan album, “Christmas In Our Hearts,” released in 1990.
Truly, music transcends time and builds a lot of memories. In the case of JMC, he is just full of music, artistry and goodwill that he is able to share them to other people, who in turn continue to carry the Jose Mari Chan trademark sound that brings constant cheer and lasting inspiration.
