Why Christmas in Our Hearts is an answered prayer for Jose Mari Chan

MANILA, Philippines — A young lady knocked on Jose Mari Chan’s car window after he attended Mass and asked if he would be interested in collaborating with her on a song. That encounter would eventually lead to Jose Mari teaming up with Rina Cañiza to create the iconic song Christmas in Our Hearts.

As Christmas Day draws near, singer-songwriter Jose Mari recalled how the holiday anthem came to be in the 1990s.

At the time, he was already enjoying the success of his hit songs Beautiful Girl, Please Be Careful With My Heart and My Girl, My Woman, My Friend, which were big sellers in 1989. Jose Mari was asked by his record producer to come up with a Christmas song, with the holiday season just three months away.

“I remember going to church. I heard Mass and I was praying to God, the Holy Spirit and asking God to inspire me to write a Christmas song. I mean, I don’t want to just write a ho, ho, ho, ho, ho. I want it to be meaningful,” Jose Mari shared during the album launch of his good friend, former senator Joey Lina, at The Manila Hotel, where he was a special guest.

“So, coming out of church, I went into the car to go home na. Close the door. And then there was a young lady who came to the car and she knocked on my window. And I turned down the window.

“She said, ‘This is my card. My name is Rina Cañiza. And it is my dream one day that you and I can collaborate on a song. You and I could write a song together.’ I said, ‘Oh, OK, Rina Cañiza. Thank you.’”

When he got home, Jose Mari began to wonder if the encounter was the answer to his prayer. So he called Rina, who later visited his house and met his wife and children. Their meeting paved the way for a musical collaboration, with Jose Mari composing the melody and co-writing the lyrics of Christmas in Our Hearts.

“So, now when I think of it, it was really an answer to my prayer. First of all, when you say Rina Cañiza, the initials are RC. Rex Christus (meaning) Christ the King. I’m Jose Mari Chan, Joseph, Mary. And so, we came up with that song, Christmas in Our Hearts. And it became a big hit. Thank God for the gift of music and for the gift of that song.”

Reflecting on the message of his beloved Christmas song, he emphasized, “The spirit of Christmas should be in our hearts day after day after day, each day of the year. You know, the spirit of Christmas is giving and sharing. Sharing our blessings, giving to those who need our help. I think that’s the real meaning of Christmas.

Joey’s Maluwalhating Pilipinas album features 10 original songs created in collaboration with his nephew, songwriter and music arranger Robert David.

“It’s not just, ‘Ho ho ho Santa Claus,’ you know, Christmas tree. Of course, the family is the central point of our Christmas celebration, but the Christmas tradition is giving and sharing.”

Jose Mari feels blessed to have become a Christmas icon thanks to his timeless holiday songs. Beyond Christmas tracks, he has also composed local hits such as Mamang Sorbetero, Philippine Airlines’ Love at Thirty Thousand Feet and Hahanapin Ko, among others.

Jose Mari’s message to Filipinos this Christmas is simple: “Pray for our country.”

“There’s such a big divide between the rich and the poor. And there are so many poor Filipinos out there who need our help. And those of us who have the means, we try every day to share our blessings,” he reflected.

“But our country should also do something to create jobs. You know, not only dole out, but to create jobs for our brothers and sisters. Create more job opportunities for them. So, that’s my message. And I hope we can do that, not only this year, but for the coming years ahead. So that our children will have a better future. They will be better educated. They’ll have more opportunities in the future.”

Meanwhile, Jose Mari was thrilled to be part of Joey’s album launch, where he also shared the stage with him.

Titled Maluwalhating Pilipinas, the album features 10 original songs created in collaboration with Joey’s nephew, songwriter and music arranger Robert David. These include You Are My Home, Himig ng Pasko, Sana Ako Rin and Dios ang Pag-asa, among others.

The album’s title track, Maluwalhating Pilipinas, reflects Joey’s enduring love for the country and his hope for the nation’s future.

“Maluwalhating Pilipinas expresses my belief that if we truly love our beloved Philippines, we need to return to God, who alone can transform our country into one where justice, peace and prosperity reign,” Joey said.

The net proceeds from the album will benefit the Children’s First 1,000 Days Coalition, the country’s largest alliance of non-governmental and government organizations working to promote proper nutrition and care during the crucial first 1,000 days of a child’s life.