6 Filipino Christmas Songs to Add to Your Playlist
Written By Niko Del Rey
What truly kicks off the Christmas season in the Philippines? Bibingka? Hanging up Parols? Wrong, the answer is Christmas music! And we all know that the appropriate time to start listening to Christmas music is September 1st 12:00 am. Of course we can name hundreds of Christmas songs that should be on every playlist but today at Kollective Hustle, we want to highlight Christmas music made by Filipino artists to truly get any Filipino into the Christmas spirit, so here is our list of 6 Filipino Christmas Songs to Add to Your Playlist.
1. Fireplace - Filharmonic
Nothing more romantic than sitting by your significant other by the fireplace sipping on a cup of hot chocolate or even a glass of wine if you’re feeling in the spirit. This Filharmonic OPM paints a sweet and intimate picture of two lovers creating an unforgettable night by the fireplace, getting to know each other, warming up, not letting the winter freeze out their love. Think of ‘Baby It’s Cold Outside’ but the 2020’s version without the peer pressure.
2. Christmas Song - Jay R
The classics will never go out of style but that doesn’t mean we can’t re-stylize it and make it a little more modern. That’s exactly what the king of R&B, Jay R, did on this holiday classic. This track is the ‘Christmas Song’ we all remember listening to growing up, with more soothing melodies, a dash of syncopated percussion, jazzy guitar riffs, and of course R&B vocals from Jay R, to set the mood to any winter evening. Add this to your playlist for some Filipino R&B winter music.
3. Unang Pasko - Jason Marvin
Just released this past winter, Jason Marvin brings a Christmas OPM that is sure to hit you right in the feels. ‘Unang Pasko’ talks about dealing with grief and sorrow as we go through the motions of the holidays after losing a loved one. In a social media post, he comforted his followers by saying “I want you to know that you are not alone in what you’re going through. I also want you to know that no matter how overwhelming your circumstances can be, you have the strength to keep on going. I know you can because I did”. If you’re looking for a Christmas song to help put into words and resonate all the emotions you are feeling, add this song to your playlist and remind yourself that we remember our loved ones with full hearts and cherish their memories through the toughest of times, even the holidays.
4. Give Love on Christmas Day - Daniel Padilla, Kathryn Bernardo
In light of the news that our favorite “Kathniel” has officially split up, we’d like to at least pay homage to these two as a duo one last time. Another Christmas cover originally made popular by Jackson 5, former love team Kathryn Bernarndo and Daniel Padilla deliver a sweet duet to remember that the true meaning of Christmas isn’t gifts but selflessness and compassion which holds far greater worth than money can buy. A song encouraging everyone to embrace the true spirit of Christmas, this might be one of the most underrated songs on any Christmas playlist. And while they no longer are a couple, knowing this song still exists will ease our spirits!
5. Believe In Christmas - Darren Espanto
If you’re a fan of Justin Bieber’s Christmas song ‘Mistletoe’, then I think you’ll enjoy this Christmas OPM ‘Believe in Christmas’ by Darren Espanto. Releasing this song during the height of the pandemic, Espanto reflects on what Christmas during lockdown was like and what the holidays really mean to him. In an interview with ABS-CBN, Espanto talks about how ‘Believe In Christmas’ is a message that talks about “joy, love, faith and gratitude,".
6. The Prayer - Morisette, Jej Vinson
The last song on our list is another cover but I can speak from firsthand experience that it’s like nothing you’ve ever heard. Originally performed by Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli, ‘The Prayer’ is a song that has become popular during the Christmas season that talks about guidance, hope and safety in a world that lacks these things. Powerhouses Morisette Amon and Jej Vinson collaborate at ASAP Natin ‘To sa Bay Area, to deliver a spine chilling version that will surely pull on all your heart strings and realize what Christmas is really about, the birth of Jesus and how much we need God at this time.
Kamren Fabiculanan was born to Alex and Kathy Fabiculanan who both are originally from Paoay and Manila, Philippines, making Kamren Fabiculanan one of the only full Filipino athletes not only in all of professional football but in all of professional sports as a whole.
He is the University of Washington’s sixth year safety and team captain
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