Nobody truly does Christmas like Filipinos do, with holiday jingles both local and international blasting in every mall around the country; and parols (Christmas star lanterns) and fairy lights decorating said malls, neighborhoods, and city streets as early as September. We can’t blame you if this extra-early Christmas spirit is one of the many things you miss about being back home in the Philippines. While Christmas anywhere in the world is always a blast, it’s just more fun—and several months longer—in the Philippines.
If you’re feeling extra nostalgic for home now that we’re halfway through the ‘ber months and you can’t wait until the next time you spend the holidays in PH, you can always turn to music to transport you to that time and place in the meantime. Apart from planning your Noche Buena menu and holiday presents wherever you’ll spend Pasko this year, make sure to add these all-time most popular songs Pinoys love to play and listen to during Christmas to your playlists (if you haven’t yet).
1. “Tuloy Na Tuloy Pa Rin Ang Pasko” (APO Hiking Society)
Regularly cited as the originators of the OPM genre with so many timeless Pinoy ballads to their name, APO also created some of the most popular Pinoy Christmas songs to date in their 1991 album PaskonAPO. Festive percussion beats and an upbeat melody pair with lyrics that speak of how, despite all the troubles (especially with money being kapos or lacking) that a lot of Filipinos may be all too familiar with, there’s no stopping Christmas, “kahit na ano’ng mangyari” (whatever happens).
2. “Kumukutikutitap” (Joey Albert)
This song was originally composed by Ryan Cayabyab in 1983 for the musical Bituin (The Star of Bethlehem) and was first recorded by Joey Albert. While a mouthful to perform, the playful use of words like “kumukuti-kutitap, bumubusi-busilak” and “tumitibok-tibok, sumisinok-sinok” mimic how Christmas lights and tree decor sparkle and dance, perfectly conveying how over-the-top decorations are truly part of Filipino Christmas.
3. “A Perfect Christmas” (Jose Mari Chan)
You didn’t think we’d have a Pinoy Christmas playlist without Jose Mari Chan, did you? Dubbed the “King of Philippine Christmas Carols” and the punchline of Pinoy Christmas memes, Chan’s most popular album is Christmas in Our Hearts, which features the classic single of the same name. We know that’s already in every Pinoy’s Christmas playlist, so here’s another one from the album that never fails to bring to mind fond memories of Christmas: the more romantic and nostalgic “A Perfect Christmas.” Doesn’t this song just make you want to come home and snuggle up to your special someone this holiday season?
4. “Fruitcake” (Eraserheads)
There’s a Pinoy Christmas song for everybody, just as “there’s a fruitcake for everybody,” as Ely Buendia croons in this Eraserheads hit from the album with the same name. Not all Christmas songs have to be happy and festive. A lot of Pinoys like theirs with a bit of slow alternative rock, especially if it’s from one of our all-time favorite bands.
5. “Pasko Na Sinta Ko” (Gary Valenciano)
Christmas is not necessarily a jolly time for everyone: Some may be going through heartbreak while everyone around them is joyfully celebrating, and this ‘90s classic ballad perfectly captures the bittersweet mood of the season for them. Gary V’s sentimental track has become the anthem of every Pinoy painfully longing for a loved one who has left right at Christmas. It’s definitely on the list of everyone needing a cathartic sing-along session at family reunions—or perhaps a good hagulgol (sob).
6. “Sana Ngayong Pasko” (Ariel Rivera)
Another Yuletide song that’s not all about festivity and cheer, this Ariel Rivera ballad from the ‘90s expresses the nostalgia and passionate yearning one feels for that special someone who got away whom they’re missing terribly during Christmas. This is another soulful track that should be on every Pinoy’s Christmas breakup playlist—and reunion karaoke lineup of “feel na feel” songs.
7. “Ang Pasko Ay Sumapit”
No other song brings to mind images of Pinoy Christmas and values better than “Ang Pasko Ay Sumapit,” originally composed in Cebuano (“Kasadya Ning Taknaa”) by Mariano Vestil (lyrics) and Vicente D. Rubi (music) in 1933 and later translated to Tagalog. This joyful traditional song (with its many versions) is a favorite among choirs and carolers, and as background music at family reunions, Christmas parties, and shopping centers.
8. “Christmas Bonus” (Aegis)
Aegis is to karaoke sessions as Christmas bonus is to, well, a merry Christmas indeed. If the pop rock band’s biritan staples like “Halik” and “Basang Basa sa Ulan” are on your videoke song list during reunions back home, you might want to also start singing along to this lighthearted bop about asking employers for our 13th month pay and Christmas bonus “pambili ng regalo, panghanda sa lahat ng gastos” (for buying gifts and all expenses). Any Pinoy working hard to have money to spend on their families, whether back home in PH or overseas, can definitely relate to this song.
9. “Pasko Na Naman” (Janet Basco)
A caroling and Christmas party staple among Filipinos everywhere, this upbeat song may not change its lyrics much, but from its opening drums and tinkling accompaniment to its marching rhythm, it gets every Pinoy in the mood for Pasko.
10. “Thank You, Ang Babait Ninyo”
When kids go caroling in the Philippines, they always end with the jingle, “Thank you, thank you, ang babait ninyo,” after receiving some money. This jingle of gratitude is such a strong part of Pinoy Christmas tradition that broadcast company ABS-CBN created an uplifting Christmas Station ID around it back in 2014, featuring various young artists. You may have seen it if you had TFC. Add it to your Spotify here:
And watch the video of this heart-tugging song again here:
Bonus track: “All I Want for Christmas is You” (Mariah Carey)
This may be a Pinoy Christmas playlist, but it won’t be complete without this Mariah Carey hit from 1994. The song remains a holiday staple and continues to top Billboard charts every end of the year. With its catchy melody, festive bell chimes, angelic backing vocals, and Mariah’s satisfying birit that Pinoys love to cop, it’s no wonder this song is on loop in malls and all Christmas parties. Pinoys’ love of the song is no secret to Mariah: She recently tweeted that she’s willing to make an exception for “my Filipino lambs” to start streaming the Christmas staple as early as September.
🗣️🗣️🗣️ Not yet!!!!
I’ll allow it for my Filipino lambs though! 🐑❤️ (I don’t make the rules! 🤷♀️) https://t.co/qgyHI6lq37
— Mariah Carey (@MariahCarey) September 2, 2023
