What better way to celebrate the holidays than delving into the world of Filipino Christmas songs? We are excited to present the ultimate list of these heartwarming tunes, which include their enchanting lyrics. From the timeless classics to the modern hits, we’re here to ensure that your holiday playlist is brimming with that special Filipino charm.
Why do Filipinos start singing as early as September 1?
According to an article by Rappler, Filipinos celebrate Christmas in September because of our psychological perception and behavior toward countdowns. We count down to our biggest celebrations from 100 days out, but Filipinos are known for starting early.
Instead of September 15/16 (100 days before Christmas), we start earlier – the start of September.
Because of this perception and behavior, malls, shopping centers, media, and television – this was shaped by their customers’ behavior – started to sell Christmas items and do Christmas countdowns to drive up the people’s antics and sell more.
Meanwhile, according to CNBC, it’s the other way around. The proliferation of malls and holiday rush sales drive the Philippines to celebrate early. It’s a way to attract Filipino customers to purchase early.
During September, we can already see/experience the following:
- Jose Mari Chan songs in malls and online
- Trade workers start selling their Christmas parols
- More balikbayan boxes (mostly to avoid bulking up at customs)
- Christmas-themed photo areas
- Mall and downtown sales of Christmas wrappers and hampers
It shows that Filipinos are festive-loving people.
Your famous Filipino Christmas personalities
Jose Mari Chan is a beloved Ilonggo singer and songwriter, renowned for his iconic Christmas songs that have become synonymous with the holiday season in the Philippines. Born on March 11, 1945, in Iloilo City, Chan embarked on his music career in the 1960s and has since released numerous successful albums.
However, it is his heartfelt Christmas music that has truly elevated him to an iconic status in Filipino culture – with songs like “Christmas in Our Hearts.” These nostalgic and emotive melodies are often heard resonating through malls, radios, and family gatherings during the festive season.
In recognition of his remarkable contributions to Filipino Christmas songs, he has been lovingly bestowed with the title “The Father of Philippine Christmas Music,” and his music has become an integral part of holiday traditions across the country. But beyond his enchanting Christmas tunes, Chan has also explored various musical genres throughout his career.
The timeless melodies paired with authentic lyrics continue to spread holiday cheer among Filipinos year after year. Jose Mari Chan is an everlasting symbol of the Christmas spirit in the Philippines.
List of Filipino Christmas songs and their lyrics
Get ready to feel the holiday spirit with this collection of lively Filipino Christmas songs. These heartwarming melodies, sung in Tagalog, will fill your heart with joy and anticipation. From the iconic “Pasko na Naman,” this compilation truly captures the essence of the Filipino Christmas celebration.
1. Ang Pasko ay Sumapit
This Filipino Christmas song was originally composed by Vicente D. Rubi and Mariano Vestil in 1933 in Cebuano called, “Kasadya ni’ng Taknaa.” Levi Celerio translated the song into Tagalog in 1950 and was released nationwide. This is probably a traditional Filipino Christmas song other than “And Pasko ay Sumapit,” and Jose Mari Chan’s “Christmas in our Hearts” song.
Ang Pasko ay sumapit.
Tayo ay mangagsiawit.
Ng magagandang himig,
Dahil sa ang Diyos ay pag-ibig.
Nang si Kristo’y isilang,
May tatlong haring nagsidalaw.
At ang bawat isa ay nagsipaghandog,
Ng tanging alay.
Bagong Taon ay magbagong-buhay.
Nang lumigaya ang ating Bayan.
Tayo’y magsikap upang makamtan,
Natin ang kasaganaan.
Tayo’y mangagsiawit,
Habang ang mundo’y tahimik.
Ang araw ay sumapit,
Ng Sanggol na dulot ng langit.
Tayo ay magmahalan,
Ating sundin ang Gintong Aral.
At magbuhat ngayon,
Kahit hindî Pasko ay magbigayan!
2. Pasko Na Naman
Felipe Padilla de Leon (composer), Levi Celerio (lyricist), and George Hernandez (arrangement) composed this song with a pop-like melody. Probably the second most popular traditional Filipino Christmas song sung by Filipinos during the holidays.
Pasko na naman,
O kay tulin ng araw!
Paskong nagdaan,
Tila ba kung kailan lang.
Ngayon ay Pasko,
Dapat pasalamatan.
Ngayon ay Pasko,
Tayo ay mag-awitan.
Pasko! Pasko! Pasko na naman muli.
Tanging araw na ating pinakamimithi.
Pasko! Pasko! Pasko na naman muli.
Ang pag-ibig naghahari!
3. Christmas In Our Hearts
This song is often played on September 1 as a way to open the “ber” months of the holiday. Yes, it’s the opening song of the Christmas season in the Philippines! “Christmas in Our Hearts” skyrocketed to popularity, making it one of the most commonly heard songs in malls throughout the Philippines. The album also features Chan’s other remarkable Christmas tracks, including “A Perfect Christmas.”
Whenever I see girls and boys,
Selling lanterns on the streets,
I remember the child,
In the manger as he sleeps.
Wherever there are people,
Giving gifts, exchanging cards,
I believe that Christmas,
Is truly in their hearts.
Let’s light our Christmas trees,
For a bright tomorrow,
Where nations are at peace,
And all are one in God.
Chorus:
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.
In every prayer and every song,
The community unites,
Celebrating the birth,
Of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Let love, like that starlight,
On that first Christmas morn,
Lead us back to the manger,
Where Christ the child was born.
So, come let us rejoice.
Come and sing a Christmas carol.
With one big joyful voice,
Proclaim the name of the Lord.
4. Noche Buena
Kay sigla ng gabi,
Ang lahat ay kay saya,
Nagluto ang ate ng manok na tinola.
Sa bahay ng kuya ay mayroong litsonan pa.
Ang bawat tahanan may handang iba’t-iba.
Tayo na giliw magsalo na tayo.
Mayroon na tayong tinapay at keso,
‘Di ba noche buena sa gabing ito,
At bukas ay araw ng pasko.
5. Misa de Gallo
Misa De Galyo sa simbahan.
At nagtilaok na ang tandang,
Tanda ng pagdiriwang at pagmisa,
Paskong dakilang araw.
Ang awit na handog sa Mesiyas.
Mayroon pang kastanyetas,
At ang koro tuloy ang kanta,
May saliw din ng panderetas.
Misa de Gallo sa tuwing Pasko,
Nagdarasal ang bawat tao.
At nagpapasalamat sa pagsilang,
Ng Diyos na Hari ng mundo.
6. Kumukutikutitap
Kumukutikutitap, bumubusibusilak,
Ganyan ang indak ng mga bumbilya.
Kikindat – kindat, kukurap -kurap,
Pinaglalaruan ng inyong mga mata.
Kumukutikutitap, bumubusibusilak,
Ganyan ang indak ng mga bumbilya.
Kikindat – kindat, kukurap -kurap,
Pinaglalaruan ng inyong mga mata.
Iba’t – ibang palamuti,
Ating isabit sa puno,
Buhusan ng mga kulay,
Tambakan ng mga regalo.
Tumitibok-tibok, sumisinok – sinok,
Wag lang malundo sa sabitin.
Pupulupot-lupot paikot ng paikot,
Koronahan ng palarang bituin.
Dagdagan mo pa ng kendi,
Ribon, eskosesa’t guhitan,
Habang lalong dumadami,
Regalo mo’y dagdagan.
Kumukutikutitap, bumubusibusilak,
Ganyan ang kurap ng mga bituin.
Tumitibok-tibok, sumisinok – sinok,
Koronahan ng palarang bituin.
Dagdagan mo pa ng kendi,
Ribon, eskosesa’t guhitan.
Habang lalong dumadami,
Regalo mo’y dagdagan.
Kumukutikutitap, bumubusibusilak,
Ganyan ang kurap ng mga bituin.
Tumitibok-tibok, sumisinok – sinok,
Koronahan pa ng palarang bituin.
7. Pasko Na Sinta Ko
Pasko na, sinta ko.
Hanap-hanap kita.
Bakit magtatampo’t,
Nilisan ako?
Kung mawawala ka,
Sa piling ko, sinta.
Paano ang Pasko?
Inulila mo.
Sayang sinta, ang sinumpaan,
At pagtitinginang tunay.
Nais mo bang kalimutang ganap,
Ang ating suyuan at galak?
Kung mawawala ka,
Sa piling ko, sinta.
Paano ang Pasko?
Inulila mo.
Sayang sinta, ang sinumpaan,
At pagtitinginang tunay.
Nais mo bang kalimutang ganap,
Ang ating suyuan at galak?
9. Mano po Ninong, Mano po Ninang
Maligaya, maligayang Pasko kayo’y bigyan.
Masagana, masaganang Bagong Tao’y kamtan.
Ipagdiwang, ipagdiwang araw ng Maykapal.
Upang manatili sa atin ang kapalaran.
At mamuhay na lagi sa kapayapaan.
Mano po Ninong, mano po Ninang,
Narito kami ngayon.
Humahalik sa inyong kamay.
Salamat Ninong, salamat Ninang.
Sa aginaldo pong inyong ibinibigay.
10. Sa Paskong Darating
Sa Paskong darating,
Nais ko’y ikaw pa rin,
Ang aking kapiling,
At sa mga araw pang darating.
Walang ibang hinihiling,
Pangarap ko’y ikaw pa rin,
Kung ito’y panaginip ay ayaw.
Ayaw ko nang magising.
Pag-ibig ko’y iyo,
Kahit na hindi Pasko,
Ang buhay kong ito.
Ay laging laan sa ‘yo.
Sana’y ‘wag magbabago,
Ang matamis mong pagtingin,
Kahit na hindi Pasko, giliw,
Ako’y lagi mong mahalin.
Pag-ibig ko’y iyo,
Kahit na hindi Pasko,
Ang buhay kong ito,
Ay laging laan sa ‘yo.
Sa Paskong darating,
Nais ko’y ikaw pa rin,
Ang aking kapiling,
At sa mga araw pang darating.
Pag-ibig ko’y iyo,
Kahit na hindi Pasko,
Ang buhay kong ito,
Ay laging laan sa ‘yo.
Pag-ibig ko’y iyo,
Kahit na hindi Pasko,
Ang buhay kong ito,
Ay laging laan sa ‘yo.
Sa Paskong darating,
Pag-ibig ko’y ikaw pa rin.
SPECIAL
Thank you, thank you,
Ang babait ninyo, thank you!
