Jose Mari Chan sees music as his ‘gift back to God’

MANILA, September 2 ------ As the “ber” months usher in the Philippines’ extended Christmas season, OPM icon Jose Mari Chan reflected on his decades-long music career and the talent he believes was given to him by God. Appearing in Melai Cantiveros' show "Kuan On Juan," Chan, 81, shared how he began writing songs at 13 and why he continues to make music despite also being active in his family’s sugar business, saying his songs are his “gift back to God.”

"God has blessed me as a songwriter because He gave me my talent. I was only 13 years old when I started composing," Chan said, translated from Bisaya. "You know I cannot read notes; I cannot write notes because I never learned," added Chan, who said he got his love for music from his grandmother, who's from Cebu.

As a teen, Chan volunteered to perform a radio program and joined school programs singing songs of The Platters. Then in 1965, ABS-CBN got him to host a television show. "They saw me emceeing and singing in school concerts, they approached me and said: 'We would like to do a TV show, would you like to host it?' But I was still in college at that time. ... So, I did the show called '9 Teeners,'" Chan recalled. "In 1967, they produced my first-ever record 'Afterglow,'" he continued. "Well, it did not really become a hit, but it was an original song that created a stir."

The following year he was approached by a recording company to record his other songs. After working abroad for years, Chan returned to the Philippines in 1986 where he released his songs including "Tell Me Your Name," "Beautiful Girl," and "Please Be Careful With My Heart."

After his return, Chan was asked to make a Christmas song and recorded the Yuletide hit “Christmas in Our Hearts,” a collaboration between Chan and songwriter Rina Cañiza. Recorded by Chan and his daughter Liza, it went on to become one of the biggest selling OPM songs in history.

In the program, Chan recalled that even his father, who was a businessman, supported his hobby of writing songs, he was reminded he cannot make a living from it, noting that he needs to be practical. "That's why I'm active in my business but I can never forsake God's gift of music to me. And I'm happy with my music and my music brings joy to people. I've written many, many Christmas songs and all my other hits in the past," he said.

According to Chan, he has a daily job working for a sugar company in Negros, producing muscovado, brown sugar, and white sugar. Chan said that he is really taking good care of his health by watching his diet. "I don't eat pork anymore, I don't eat beef, and I exercise every morning, 45 minutes. It's important for your health. Nobody lives forever, but you try to protect and preserve your health for your children and your grandchildren," he said.

On the program, Chan also expressed amusement at the hilarious social media memes that had Filipinos eagerly anticipating his annual “appearance” even before September arrived. "In Ilonggo, we call that 'nagalingling' or I'm peeking. ...I don't know who created that. I did not create that, I swear. Well, I feel flattered, I feel complimented but most of all I give thanks to God every day. Every day I thank God for the gift of music that He has gifted me with. So, the songs that I've written they bring joy to people, that's my gift back to God," Chan said.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com