Jose Mari, Gerphil in Jack’s show

MANILA, Philippines – Jose Mari Chan, whose track record is marked by a number of hit duet songs, is capping off the year with a live duet with veteran international star Jack Jones. He is scheduled to perform with Jones the Grammy-winning piece Wives and Lovers at the latter’s upcoming shows in Araneta Center’s Kia Theater and Novotel Manila.

“It’s my honor and pleasure to share the stage with a music legend like Jack Jones. I can name you 30 of his songs if only to show how I regard him,” stated Chan in a recent chat with the press held at Mango Tree in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

Chan, along with Asia’s Got Talent star Gerphil Flores, is special guest at the two-night leg titled Jack Jones Sings Songs From The Heart, scheduled on Dec. 29 (Kia Theater) and Dec. 30 (Novotel Manila). Both shows, Jones’ first Holiday gigs in the Philippines, begin at 8 p.m.

The visiting singer himself is extra excited, saying “This is the first time I will be spending the holidays in the Philippines. I heard that Filipinos are one of the best in celebrating the season.”

Both Chan and Jones are friends, with the idea of doing a duet coming off after Jones gave him a call upon learning that he will be on his show as a guest performer.

“We might rehearse on the day of the first show itself,” mused Chan, “But you can expect us to do it in style.”

Known for having done duets with the likes of Regine Velasquez and Janet Basco, Chan will share the stage with a voice best known for the inspiring classic Impossible Dream as his own legend himself finds itself the toast of today’s Internet generation following the viral meme that his voice “controls” the speakers of malls in the country this time of the season. Thanks to a couple of enduring Christmas tunes which he wrote or co-wrote, recorded and released two and a half decades ago.

Chan, who originally wanted to have Tony awardee Lea Salonga to sing Christmas in Our Hearts with him, related, “I feel blessed and lucky that my music is associated with the Christmas season because of an album that we actually rushed to produce after the success of Constant Change.”

Likely to sing Please Be Careful with My Heart with Flores as teaser for his Jack Jones moment, Chan relayed his story of how the now-classic Christmas In Our Hearts was initially taken by record executives as too much of a preachy Christian song rather than a potential radio hit.

He shared, “I remember the late Bella Tan requesting for a romantic Christmas song and I came back with A Perfect Christmas which she liked; but then the press picked Christmas in Our Hearts as lead single.”

After realizing that Salonga wouldn’t be able to commit herself to singing the chorus of Christmas In Our Hearts because she was from another record label, Chan contacted another stage star Monique Wilson for the privilege. However, Wilson called up one morning with a sore throat and asked if the recording could be moved a week later. Of course, it couldn’t be pushed further as the deadline neared.

“I went to my daughter’s room and reluctantly asked her to study the demo and that she will record the song with me by tomorrow,” Chan recalled with a smile. “It turned out that the father and daughter tandem gave the song extra impact as a family theme for Christmas.”

Small wonder that Chan likes the fact that the Jones shows will give part of the proceeds to Kaagapay ng Tagaligtas, Inc. which devotes itself to raising funds for the benefit of orphans and dependents of those 44 soldiers killed in Mamasapano, Maguindanao early this year.

He said, “We are in the season of giving and sharing so this endeavor is just perfect.”

Jack Jones Sings From The Heart, where Kilyawan Consortium of Voices will also perform, is made possible by ManCo Productions, Inc. and Royale Chimes Concerts and Events, Inc. The A-list performer is also expected to sing tracks from his Frank Sinatra tribute album Seriously Frank.

Interestingly, Flores sang Impossible Dream in Asia’s Got Talent, her version highly-applauded and long discussed among amazed spectators. She stated, “I can’t wait to meet Jack Jones in person. I’m thankful for this opportunity.”

(Tickets are available at Ticketnet box office (911-5555), as Banco de Oro cardholders and Accor Plus members are advised to call 0918-4972121 or 0906-4180786 for special discount.)