It’s officially Jose Mari Chan err Christmas season. At least in our beloved country — The Philippines— which is known to have the longest celebrations that start today September 1.
With so many JMC posts that started even before the so-callled Ber months, one cannot help but join in the fray.
I cannot help but yield in too. Mine is no meme nor an AI-generated image where JMC is pictured to be having heydays singing Christmas carols.
It is a tribute to the kindness of the singer-songwriter after getting a signed copy of his Christmas album.
Belated as it may seem after 11 years for a full article to be written (I made some posts though in social media on two occasions).
Waiting for our flight back to Manila at Silay-Bacolod airport in December 2014, we met JMC while looking for pasalubong at airport stores for folks back home.
I remember him neatly dressed and with his smile, we found ourselves talking to him. “We” being our group of doctors, nurses and volunteers (like me) who just concluded a medical mission.
Vividly, I could recall how he expressed thanks to World Medical Relief Inc. president George Samson for flying to Bacolod for the outreach. He was grateful on behalf of his provincemates.
Next thing I knew is he was getting our names and addresses where he could send us his latest album. I even tried to play a trick on him by giving him just my email and cellphone number. But he insisted to get a mailing address.
I must admit I was quite doubtful that he would make good his promise. Or if he ever gets to fulfill it, that would probably take several weeks down the road. Not in that year’s Christmas season which is a very busy period for almost everyone. Especially for someone of his stature, a celebrity like JMC.
But lo and behold, a parcel arrived at our home address after only four days. It was his “Going Home To Christmas” album.
The CD packet was signed in blue marker and it came with a separate note on a letterhead of BISCOM Inc. (formerly Binalbagan-Isabela Sugar Company Inc) where he is Chairman.
“With my best compliments” states the note in what looked like a elite font on typewriters. For a vintage audio enthusiast like me, the packet and note are considered treasures.
Released in 2012, Going Home To Christmas is the second Christmas album of JMC after the Christmas In Our Hearts that was released 25 years ago.
It has 22 songs which include the anthemic and uplifting Ring In The New and The Bells at Christmas. It also has a lullabyish tune in The Christmas.
“I have put my whole heart into it and had all these years to prepare every note and every word that went into the production of the CD. A labor of Love and Inspiration” says JMC in his website.
Indeed, there is always that heart of JMC. For a nobody like me, a recepient of his album, i will always cherish not just his kindness but the life and inspiration he pours not just in his songs but also onto people.
