Christmas has inspired a very large collection of music and songs. With such ingenuity in music and penchant for singing, Filipinos are complete with innumerable Christmas carols to dominate the airwaves during the holiday.
M2Social explores 15 of the All-Time favorite Filipino Christmas songs. Here’s the roundup:
1. Pasko na Sinta ko
Kung mawawala ka sa piling ko sinta
Paano ang Paskong alay ko sa'yo
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 paskong alay ko sa'yo
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
A love song that tells about a heart-breaking Christmas that one endures. This has been the official anthem of OFWs who most of the time spend their Christmas away from their families. It was originally performed by Gary Valenciano in 2001.
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
Lyrics Source
Kumukutikutitap, bumubusibusilak
Ganyan ang indak ng mga bumbilya
Kikindat - kindat, kukurap -kurap
Pinaglalaruan ng inyong mga mata
Repeat Verse 1
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
This song opens with the lines “Kumukutikutitap, umubusibusilak / Ganyan ang indak ng mga bumbilya.” A very lively and merry Christmas song about how we Filipinos prepare for this one special occasion of the year. It shows how colorful Filipinos celebrate the Holiday. It was arranged and composed by the Filipino maestro, Ryan Cayabyab.
Himig ng Pasko'y laganap
Mayroong sigla ang lahat
Wala ang kalungkutan
Lubos sa kasayahan
Himig ng Pasko'y umiiral
Sa loob at labas ng tahanan
Masaya ang mga tanawin
May awit ang simoy ng hangin
Lyrics Source
Malamig ang simoy ng hangin
Kay saya ng bawa't damdamin
Ang tibok ng puso sa dibdib
Para bang hulog ng langit
Himig ng Pasko'y laganap
Mayroong sigla ang lahat
Wala ang kalungkutan
Lubos sa kasayahan.
Himig ng Pasko'y umiiral
Sa ng bawat tahanan
Masaya ang mga tanawin
May awit ang simoy ng hangin
It is a slow and warm song that melodiously pictures a very joyful celebration of Christmas. The message is full of imagery that depicts how wonderful and delightful it is to celebrate the Holiday. That’s why it is no surprise, this song popularized by APO Hiking Society made a strong appeal to every Filipino.
Sana ngayong Pasko ay maalala mo pa rin ako
Hinahanap-hanap pag-ibig mo
At kahit wala ka na
Nangangarap at umaasa pa rin ako
Muling makita ka at makasama ka
Sa araw ng Pasko...
Lyrics Source
Pasko na naman ngunit wala ka pa
Hanggang kailan kaya ako maghihintay sayo
Bakit ba naman kailangang lumisan pa
Ang tanging hangad ko lang ay makapiling ka
Sana ngayong Pasko ay maalala mo pa rin ako
Hinahanap-hanap pag-ibig mo
At kahit wala ka na
Nangangarap at umaasa pa rin ako
Muling makita ka at makasama ka
Sa araw ng Pasko...
Christmas season is gay and merry but still, there are songs especially made for the broken-hearted such as Ariel Rivera’s Sana Ngayong Pasko. The message of the song has a universal appeal: longing for your loved one. Same for Pasko na Sinta ko, this song perfectly expresses the longing of every OFW who can’t celebrate Christmas with their families, as the intro goes: “Hanggang kailan kaya ako maghihintay sayo / Bakit ba naman kailangang lumisan pa.”
5. Noche Buena
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!
Lyrics Source
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 lahat ay may handang iba’t-iba.
Its melody is catchy and the lyrics is nostalgic of the wonderful Filipino tradition of hosting a Noche Buena. The lyrics portray how the Filipino Family gathers and shares a grand feast during Christmas Eve. It goes like this: “Nagluto ang Ate ng manok na tinola / Sa bahay ng Kuya / ay mayroong litsonan pa./ Ang lahat ay may handang iba’t-iba.”
(Repeat chorus once)
Kikislap ang pag-asa
Kahit kanino man
Dahil ikaw Bro, dahil ikaw Bro
Dahil ikaw Bro
Ang star ng pasko
Salamat sa liwanag mo
Muling magkakakulay ang pasko
Salamat sa liwanag mo
Muling magkakakulay ang pasko
(Repeat chorus 3x)
Dahil ikaw Bro, dahil ikaw Bro
Dahil ikaw Bro
Ang star ng pasko!
Lyrics Source
Kung kailan pinakamadilim
Ang mga tala ay mas nagniningning
Gaano man kakapal ang ulap
Sa likod nito ay may liwanag
Ang liwanag na ito
Nasa 'ting lahat
May sinag ang bawat pusong bukas
Sa init ng mga yakap
Maghihilom ang lahat ng sugat
Chorus:
Ang nagsindi nitong ilaw
Walang iba kundi ikaw
Salamat sa liwanag mo
Muling magkakakulay ang pasko
Salamat sa liwanag mo
Muling magkakakulay ang pasko
Tayo ang ilaw sa madilim na daan
Pagkakapit bisig lalong higpitan
Dumaan man sa malakas na alon
Lahat tayo'y makakaahon
Ang liwanag na ito
Nasa 'ting lahat
May sinag ang bawat pusong bukas
Sa init ng mga yakap
Maghihilom ang lahat ng sugat
Christmas station IDs are always most awaited because of their fresh and LSS-worthy Carols and Jingles. This 2009 song reminds us about the true meaning of Christmas, and that is Jesus Christ. The song’s message is also timely because it was the same year when Typhoon Ondoy destruct most of Metro Manila and other provinces.
7. Christmas in our Hearts
Whenever I see girls and boys
Selling lanterns on the street
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 our 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 the Christmas carol with one big joyful voice
Proclaim the name of the Lord
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
Repeat chorus
Lyrics Source
It's an instant hit and has been dominating the Christmas airwaves since 1989. This Jose Marie Chan single is also a meaningful song that reminds us about the wonderful meaning of this celebration. It is so popular it became a hot subject of most social media posts about Christmas song sarcastically alleging that Jose Marie Chan owns Malls' sound system during Holiday.
Ang gabi'y payapa
Lahat ay tahimik
Pati mga tala
Sa bughaw na langit
Pati mga tala
Sa bughaw na langit
Lyrics Source
Ang gabi'y payapa
Lahat ay tahimik
Pati mga tala
Sa bughaw na langit
Kay hinhin ng hangin
Waring umiibg
Sa kapayapaan
Ng buong daigdig
Payapang panahon
Ay diwa ng buhay
Biyaya ng Diyos
Sa sangkatauhan
A real Classic Christmas Song among Filipinos is this kundiman from our national artist, Felipe Padilla de Leon. The melody is so soothing and calm, it shows what a peaceful world (Payapang Daigdig) would sound like. No surprise it is often compared to the Silent Night. Interestingly, this song was originally composed in 1946 as an ode to a peaceful world after the atrocities of the second World War. Its lyrics is a cry for world peace: “Kay hinhin ng hangin/ Waring umiibig/ Sa kapayapaan/ Ng buong daigdig.”
Pasko! Pasko!
Pasko na naman muli.
Tanging araw na ating pinakamimithi.
Pasko! Pasko!
Pasko na naman muli.
Ang pag-ibig naghahari!
Lyrics Source
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.
Another Filipino Christmas Carol by national artists Felipe de Leon and Levy Celerio, “Pasko Na Naman” melodizes what everyone says when Christmas is near. It has a Spanish Paso doble rhythm and often set in Rondalla ensemble. You can often hear this song from children who sing the round, “Pasko! Pasko! Pasko na namang muli! Tanging araw na ating pinakamimithi”
Refrain:
Ngunit kahit na anong mangyari
Ang pag-ibig sana'y maghari
Sapat nang si hesus ang kasama mo
Tuloy na tuloy parin ang pasko
Repeat refrain
Tuloy na tuloy pa rin (tuloy na tuloy pa rin)
Tuloy na tuloy pa rin (tuloy na tuloy pa rin)
Tuloy na tuloy pa rin ang pasko
Tuloy na tuloy pa rin ang pasko
Lyrics Source
O bakit kaya tuwing pasko ay
Dumarating na
Ang bawa't isa'y para bang
Namomroblema
Hindi mo alam ang regalong ibibigay
Ngayong kay hirap na nitong ating buhay
Meron pa kayang caroling at noche buena
Kung tayo naman ay kapos at wala nang pera
Nakakahiya kung muling pagtaguan mo
Ang 'yong mga inaanak sa araw ng pasko.
Refrain:
Ngunit kahit na anong mangyari
Ang pag-ibig sana'y maghari
Sapat nang si hesus ang kasama mo
Tuloy na tuloy parin ang pasko
Mabuti pa nga ang pasko noong isang taon
Sa ating hapag mayroong keso de bola't hamon
Baka sa gipit, happy new year mapo-postpone
At ang hamon ay mauuwi sa bagoong
This song from APO Hiking Society is close to our hearts because the lyrics shows the implicit problem that most of us face when Christmas comes, that is, expenses. As the lyrics goes: “Meron pa kayang caroling at noche buena / Kung tayo naman ay kapos at wala nang pera.” However it reminds us that it is love and joy that we should share with one another, hence Tuloy na tuloy pa rin ang Pasko. Its jazzy and snappy beat is another factor why this is an all-time favorite Christmas song.
Kahit nasaan ako
Pabaling-baling ng tingin
Walang tulad mo
Ang nakapagtataka'y
Maraming nakahihigit sa iyo
Hinahanap-hanap pa rin kita
Ewan ko kung bakit ba
Ako'y iniwan mong nag-iisa
Miss kita oh giliw
Pasko'y sasapit
Di ko mapigil ang mangulila
Hirap n'yan mayro'n ka ng iba
Hirap n'yan mayro'n ka ng iba
Lyrics Source
Ang disyembre ko ay malungkot
Pagkat miss kita
Anumang pilit kong magsaya
Miss kita kung christmas
Kahit nasaan ako
Pabaling-baling ng tingin
Walang tulad mo
Ang nakapagtataka'y
Maraming nakahihigit sa iyo
Hinahanap-hanap pa rin kita
Ewan ko kung bakit ba
Ako'y iniwan mong nag-iisa
Miss kita oh giliw
Pasko'y sasapit
Di ko mapigil ang mangulila
Hirap n'yan mayro'n ka ng iba
(Ang disyembre ko ay malungkot)
Pagkat miss kita
(Anumang pilit kong magsaya)
Miss kita kung christmas
Another homesick and heart breaking Christmas is this 1975 hit by Susan Fuentes. It is dubbed as the first Filipino Christmas song done in the 70s Manila Sounds and mixed with Tagalog and English lyrics. From then, it was recorded by numerous artists like Carol Banawa, and Sarah Geronimo. And for more than 4 decades, it remains the anthem of SMP (Samahan ng mga Malalamig ang Pasko).
Tayo’y mangagsi-awit
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 hindi Pasko ay magbigayan!
Lyrics Source
Ang Pasko ay sumapit
Tayo ay mangagsi-awit
Ng magagandang himig
Dahil sa ang Diyos ay pag-ibig.
Nang si Kristo’y isilang
May tatlong haring nagsidalaw
At ang bawa’t isa ay nagsipaghandog
Ng tanging alay.
Bagong Taon ay magbagong-buhay
Nang lumigaya ang ating bayan
Tayo’y magsikap upang makamtan
Natin ang kasaganahan.
Its snappy beat and easy-to-sing lyrics can easily get you giddily swinging. It is a staple song for many children who do Karoling when the 16th of December comes. The lyrics tells a complete story of how Christmas is celebrated in the Philippines: from the start of Christmas season in September to New Year when Christmas is still celebrated.
13. Mano Po, Ninong
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
Lyrics Source
Admit it or not, paying respect to our godparents used to be a little more special during Christmas time, because of the expected Aguinaldo. This song, perfectly captures that scene. The lyrics picture the Filipino tradition of giving respect for the elders, Mano; and the tradition of giving aguinaldo to godchildren. It ends with a heart-filled gratitude, "Salamat Ninong, Salamat Ninang / Sa aginaldo pong inyong ibinibigay."
[English Translation]
Our greeting is Merry Christmas
and a prosperous new year
Christmas is a celebration
A day for the noble
We have to maintain
a peaceful life
So that our Mother Country
May become truly happy
Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas
Christmas how fun
Happy New Year, Happy New Year
New year vitality
And if you're happy
When Christmas arrives
You can bet we'll be delighted.
Bati nami’y Merry Christmas
At bagong taong sagana
Pasko ay pagdiwang
Pang-araw na dakila
Dapat tayong manatili
Sa buhay na mapayapa
Upang lumigayang tunay
Ang ating Inang Bansa.
Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas
Paskong anong saya
Happy New Year, Happy New Year
Bagong taong sigla
At kung kayo’y lumigaya
Pagdating ng Christmas
Kayo’y makakaasang kami’y magagalak.
Lyrics Source
Reminiscent of Filipino folk songs this one by Sylvia la Torre is a classic that is not short of being one of he all time favorites. Despite having a mix of Tagalog and English lyric, this song by the Queen of Kundiman sounds idyllic and nostalgic of the past rural celebration of Christmas.
Why don't you give love
On Christmas day
(On Christmas day)
Oh the man on the street
And the couple upstairs
All need to know
That someone who cares
Give love
On Christmas day
(Christmas day)
No greater gift
Is there than love
What the world
Needs is love
Yes, the world
Needs your love
Why don't you give love
On Christmas day
(On Christmas Day)
Oh, every little child
On Santa's knee
Has room for your love
Underneath his tree
Give love
On Christmas day
(Christmas day)
No greater gift
Is there than love
What the world
Needs is love
Yes, the world
Needs your love
Give love
On Christmas day
(Christmas day)
People making lists
Buying special gifts
Taking time to be kind
To one and all
It's that time of year
When good friends
Are dear
And you wish you
Could give more
Than just presents
From a store
Why don't you give love
On Christmas day
(On Christmas day)
Oh, even the man
Who has everything
Would be so happy
If you would bring
Him love
On Christmas day
(On Christmas day)
No greater gift
Is there than love
People you don't know
Smiling out hello
Everywhere there's an air
Of Christmas joy
It's that once a year
When the world's sincere
And you'd like
To find a way
To show the things
That words can't say
Lyrics Source
The only American song on this list, however, we Filipinos have welcomed this 1970 hit of the Jackson 5 much like our own. This song has been recorded by Filipino artists such as Sarah Geronimo. With the sweet voice of young Micheal Jackson, this catchy song has always been part of the radio playlist when September comes.
Have we mentioned your favorite Filipino Christmas song? Share us your thoughts by commenting below.