Jose Mari Chan and the ‘Ber’ months

WHEN the “Ber” months come, OPM icon Jose Mari Chan’s “Christmas In Our Hearts” is in vogue in Philippine AM and FM radio stations.

I remember I was the one requested by Mr. Chan each year to help him distribute the presents he would give to the different radio stations in Metro Manila during the yuletide season.

For years, the songs of Jose Mari Chan have served as landmarks of original Pilipino music because he has been a consistent hitmaker. Perhaps, much of the blessings he has now in life must have come because there was a time that his wife Mary Ann and he served in Japan as lay missionaries. “God expects you to do your best… Life is short, and we cannot always just think of ourselves. The quality of our lives will be measured by how much we have shared with others and by what we have contributed to society,” said Joe, who enjoys what he does and gets a great deal of satisfaction from it.

Asked what he would want his legacy to be, Jose Mari Chan, promptly said, “As a businessman, to substantially improve the lives of all those who work for me. As a father, to bring to this world responsible citizens who will constructively contribute to our society. As an artist and songwriter, to be able to write songs that not only touch lives but will live on long after I’m gone.”

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DZRH’s Radyo Balintataw host Cecile Guidote-Alvarez joined with Volt Bohol of ATOM, Atty. Chel Diokno of Bantayog ng mga Bayani Foundation, Patrick Claudio of Human Rights Violations Victims’ Memorial Commission, Karl Patrick of Project Gunita, Rebecca Quijano (the lone witness who saw Ninoy Aquino shot by a soldier), National Historical Commission of the Philippines officers Alvin R. Alcid and Gina Batuhan, and MIAA officials Arnel B. Atis and Feliciana Santos in laying wreaths of flowers to observe Ninoy Aquino’s death anniversary at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 in Pasay City. Other groups who joined were the Spirit of EDSA Foundation and the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation.

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Gymnastics had molded a Filipino Canadian athlete, Anna Gamelo, to be hardworking. “I’ve developed the need to persevere through the challenges presented in gymnastics.” At 11, she won her first international medal (bronze) in 2008 at the International Gymnix Cup competition in Montreal, Quebec. Years later, she placed 3rd at the Canadian National Championships. As a national senior, she moved to Gemini Gymnastics under the guidance of her two coaches, former Olympic all- around gold medalist Elena Davydova and Valery Yahchybekov, who honed her to win 4 All-Around National Open Championship Titles, specifically at the Ontario Provincial Championships and at the Canadian National Championships in 2014.

As a scholar at USA’s Michigan State University, she pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree major in Experience Architecture and minor in Chinese, and graduated with honors in 2019, the year she retired from gymnastics. Since then, she has been hiking in places across Canada with her big sister. She did some jujitsu,
kickboxing, swimming, and ran 5K/10K races with the family to stay active. She is proud of her Filipino heritage. “I’m proud that Filipinos are known for their talents, being innovative, hardworking and humble. And I love Filipino foods and desserts…I’ve been to Manila for a couple of weeks with my family.”

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House Speaker Martin Romualdez described Carlos Yulo as a “once-in-a-century Filipino athlete” following his exceptional double gold victory in France. “Carlos’ achievements have not only brought glory to the Philippines but have also highlighted the potential of our athletes to excel in the international arena… We will continue to support and invest in our sports programs to nurture and develop more world-class athletes like Carlos. His success is a shining example of hope and a source of inspiration for all of us,” said Romualdez.

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The recent 1st Sovereign Seal of Business Triumph and Remarkable Achiever awards ceremony at Dusit Thani Manila was well-organized with a press conference attended by some media persons, like Peps Bernardo of Malaya Business Insight, Cheska Itable of Amazing Manila Journal, blogger Mac Vasquez, Yuan Santos of Business World, Queenie Ostulano of Philippines Graphic Magazine, Carlo Abalos of Business Mirror, Vivian Yjares and Cha-Cha Bantug of People’s Television Network, blogger Rain de Ocampo, James Humarang of Tech and Lifestyle Journal, and Guia Cruz Buenaventura of Media House Express.

Video messages of congrats for SSBTRA awardees came from Sen. Jingggoy Estrada, former Sen. Bam Aquino and Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian. My heartfelt thanks to La Visual Corp., Ms. Lalaine Geronimo, awards chairman Nirro Marcelo of Sirbisu Channel, the awards production staff as well as to singers Lae Manego with her supportive daughter Mica Chely and RTU Himig Rizalia, entrepreneur Salvie Collado Paparon (with the support of her hubby Raymond Pedroso and children Sheanne Marie Faye and Shawn Raymond Lue), and Wej Cudiamat of Net 25 Radyo Agila 1062 KHZ.

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Thanks to Australia-based Blarneystine Serrano and Ms. OJ Arci for the kindness they extended to this columnist and child actress Elia Ilano (co-host of People’s TV Network’s Artsy Craftsy show every Saturday) during the 50th birthday celebration of Vince M. Tanada in Tagaytay City. All guests were ready for “The Golden Shindig: A Masquerade Ball.” As my friend Ymman Biaco wrote:

“Vince made a grand entrance on horseback before entering the hotel’s grand ballroom. Everyone dressed in their finest white outfits for this royal and Greek mythology-inspired event.” To brings joy to the night, Generation Z singers Pia Caduyac and Regin Lanz entertained the guests with their powerful voices that caught my eyes’ cynosure. Later, Vince made an address that night that left an indelible mark in my mind. Despite being a “renaissance man,” he remains humble and knows how to look back to thank people, from his parents Emy and the late Tony and his siblings Anna, Elaine and Cocoy, his son Peter Parker, to the members of Philstagers who have been with him through thick and thin. Celebrities like former Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, Dindo Arroyo, Mon Confiado, Eric Quizon, Mercedes Cabral, Ynez Veneracion, Snooky Serna, Gazini Ganados and overseas Philstagers sent him video birthday greetings, and some friends from other sectors greeted him and presented gifts. As a highlight, everyone sang the happy birthday song to the golden boy who still looks young and strong. Members of Philstagers continued to make splendid performances that evening of continuous music, dance, food and drinks. OJ Arci was the person in charge of the overall preparation, stage design and event execution.