Jose Mari Chan takes back meme spotlight from VP Sara

MANILA, Philippines — Like clockwork, the country’s de facto herald of the Christmas season is back on everyone’s timelines.

And Jose Mari Chan is back with a vengeance, taking over popular social media platforms in the Philippines in time with the start of the “ber months” – that is, the beginning of what many dub as the longest Christmas season in the world.

For many years now, Chan, known for his signature classic “Christmas in Our Hearts,” has become the face of the Yuletide season in this largely Catholic nation.

His songs are on the loop at malls and other establishments, and he is once again a sought-after guest in television and online shows.

“He’s back,” several posts read, accompanied by the timeless “peeking” photo of the 79-year-old crooner.

One edited photo showed wanted pastor Apollo Quiboloy trying to push Chan out of the image, with the text “hindi pa nga ako lumalabas, lalabas ka na naman (I haven’t even come out yet, and you’re here again.)”

One photo showed Chan going out of a manhole, in reference to ongoing police operations at Quiboloy’s properties in Davao City.

Police alleged that the wanted religious leader is hiding in a bunker, prompting them to search for possible secret entrances, including manholes.

A number of posts also referenced Vice President Sara Duterte, who became meme fodder over the past week following her standoff with lawmakers during the budget hearings.

“Move over shiminet,” one post read, in reference to the way Duterte repeatedly pronounced “she may not” during the Aug. 27 hearing.

Technology is also at play, with one meme showing an AI-edited video of Chan and American singer Mariah Carey dancing to holiday tunes.

Like Chan, Carey also became a face of the season with her 1994 classic “All I Want For Christmas Is You.”

Time Magazine even described Chan as the “Mariah Carey of the Philippines’ Christmas Season.”

Not everyone, however, is happy with Chan being the face of the Christmas season. Several posts noted his business interests, including his family’s sugar milling and trading companies.

Some are simply just tired of the recurring memes.

Still, in an interview on One News in 2022, Chan said he feels complimented with the recognition he receives every year.

He brushed off criticisms and maintained that “the real message of Christmas is there” in his song.

But he described some memes as “a little bit irreverent” and expressed hope that these are taken out.

“I feel complimented that my Christmas songs are now relevant, not only to people of our age, but also to the younger people, to the young kids,” he said in the interview.

“It’s like a crowning glory that after 55 years, God has given me this blessing of writing a song that delivers the real message of Christmas to our countrymen,” he added.

This year, Repertory Philippines will bring his music to the stage with “Going Home To Christmas: A Jose Mari Chan Musical.”

The production featuring Chan’s songs will open on Nov. 29 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza in Makati.

“Thank you, Repertory Philippines, for honoring me with this project,” Chan said.