When the “BER” months arrive, you can be sure that photos of pop singer Jose Mari Chan will be flashing all over everyone’s social media timeline to remind everyone that Christmas is coming.

I met him in person in 2002 when he visited a patient at a Pampanga hospital where I happened to be work at back then. I was so excited when I saw him in the lobby.

I mustered the courage to approach him and ask him for his autograph. He was so gracious, smiled at me and spoke with his trademark voice. That was my first-ever autograph from an artist.

I remember his famous song “Beautiful Girl” from when I was a teenager. Every debutant wanted that song to be sung on their debut. Everyone fell in love when they heard “Tell Me Your Name” and “Perhaps Love”.

“Christmas in Our Hearts” is everyone’s favorite song during Christmas that carollers’ repertoires would not be completed without the song.

When I watched his concert in 2019 at the Holy Angel University, he sang Christmas in Hearts upon the audience’s request in July! Everyone was warmed and calmed by the song.

Photos taken by the author of Jose Mari Chan during his 2019 show at the Holy Angel University

I was surprised that even at his age, he was so conversational and I was not bored as we listened to him. Aside from his endearing voice, he shared the story about every song he sang. I was surprised that he is a comedian too.

Meeting him this afternoon during the Selrahco PR agency-organized “An Afternoon with Jose Mari Chan” brought excitement and I got the chance to talk to him.

He was so kind and greeted everyone who attended the zoom meeting this afternoon. He even knew the meaning of some of the attendees’ surnames. Despite being in his 70s, he is still sharp and clever. His wisdom is overflowing and with every topic we opened, he had a lot to say, admitting he was actually loquacious.

Jose Mari Chan is a genius as he related that he composes a song when a melody strikes him at any moment. He said that when a melody comes to him, he writes the song at once. Even at night when he is asleep, he would wake up and write it down, which he describes as “a song in the night”.

He said he had a melody in mind while driving his car in New York City. Then he saw a beautiful lady. He went over to introduce himself but the lady had gone. The incident later came out as the song “Beautiful Girl”.

A participant asked the singer what he thinks about him being “the symbol of Christmas”. He said he is blessed to be associated with and linked to Christmas but rejected the tag. He said that for him, the Christmas parol (lantern) is the very symbol of Christmas here in the Philippines and pointed out that the most important event during Christmas is the birth of Jesus.

He also reminded the attendees to be prayerful and listen to homilies.

“We need to be connected to God and our faith in Jesus will save us from our sins. I hope you finish your journey here on earth with charity and kindness towards other,” he said.

Based on his experience, he always believed that kindness is equal to generosity. He even does that to his fans. He sees to it that whenever a fan approaches him, he will entertain them graciously. Like what I experienced during our brief meeting 19 years ago; and just like what Sunstar columnist Noel Tulabut experienced when they met at the Bacolod airport a long time ago. He even sent Noel autographed CDs!

He also mentioned that he had recorded an international album a long time ago, entitled Manhattan Connection with the Manhattan Transfer.

Being married for 51 years, he advised the married attendees to maintain mutual respect and to keep trying to make the relationship better. He added that married couples should be best of friends in their journey.

He asked me how many kids I have and told me to raise my boys right for them to be good persons. He also told the attendees to keep adapting at all times, like himself that has a business to support him and his family in case his music career wanes; be connected to God; and, get inspiration from the homilies. He said to listen is wisdom.

He is a singer, composer, businessman and a legend. I am sure you will never forget him in an orange suit and his adorable dance for a Shopee advertisement.

The two-and-a-half-hour afternoon meeting with Jose Mari Chan was not enough.

Thank you, Sir Charles Lim and the SELRAHCO family for including me in the meeting. Thank you, Mr. Jose Mari Chan. You made my childhood happy with your music which warms my heart still.