Jose Mari Chan

Jose Mari Chan
曾煥福[1]
Birth nameJosé Mari Chan y Lim
Also known asJoe Mari Chan, Mr. Music Man
Born (1945-03-11) March 11, 1945 (age 79)
Iloilo City, Iloilo, Philippine Commonwealth
OriginBacolod, Negros Occidental, Philippines
GenresAdult contemporary, easy listening, pop, Christmas
Instrument(s)Vocals (male alto - tenor), piano, guitar
Years active1966–present
Labels
Websitejosemarichan.com
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese曾煥福
Simplified Chinese曾焕福
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinCéng Huànfú
Southern Min
Hokkien POJChan Hoàn-hok

Jose Mari Lim Chan (Tagalog: [hoˈse mɐˈɾi ˈtʃan]; born March 11, 1945), born José Mari Chan y Lim, is a Filipino singer, songwriter, businessman and TV presenter. Regarded as one of the country’s most renowned balladeers and composers,[3] he is popularly dubbed as the "King of Philippine Christmas Carols".[4][5] As of 2001, Chan's repertoire has sold two million albums and has garnered 37 platinum records to his credit,[6] becoming one of the best-selling Filipino recording artist of all time.[7][8] He is best-known for his signature song "Christmas in Our Hearts", which is the biggest selling Filipino Christmas song in history,[9] including hits such as "A Perfect Christmas", "Beautiful Girl" and "Please Be Careful with My Heart".[10]

Chan began a career in 1967 and released his debut album Deep in My Heart in 1969.[11] He has since released 14 studio albums, most notable being Constant Change (1989) and Christmas in Our Hearts (1990). The two albums became major successes for Chan, both were certified double Diamond by the Philippine Association of the Record Industry and becoming two of the best-selling albums in the Philippines.[12] With a career spanning five decades, he has been honored by various award-giving bodies such as the Lifetime Achievement Award from PMPC Star Awards for Music,[13] and two "Album of the Year" from Awit Awards.

  1. ^ "Jose Mari Chan(曾焕福)将返桑梓为家乡小学新楼剪彩-菲信网". Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  2. ^ "International Talent Directory" (PDF). Billboard. The Billboard Publishing Company. December 28, 1968. p. 164. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
  3. ^ "Meet the Mariah Carey of the Philippines' Christmas Season". Time. December 22, 2022. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  4. ^ "How Jose Mari Chan celebrates Christmas". www.philstar.com. December 22, 2022. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  5. ^ Villano, Alexa (December 13, 2015). "The stories behind Jose Mari Chan's iconic Christmas songs". RAPPLER. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  6. ^ Katigbak, Fran (2003). He can't fill up Araneta with thousands, but he fills up thousands of hearts. Philippine Daily Inquirer. p. 30.
  7. ^ New love songs from the country's ballad king. Manila Standard. 2001. p. 20.
  8. ^ "Story behind Christmas song". www.philstar.com. December 21, 2019. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  9. ^ Leon, Marguerite de (August 10, 2022). "[Only IN Hollywood] We ask Jose Mari Chan what he thinks of each of his hit songs". RAPPLER. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  10. ^ Billones, Trishia (September 2, 2019). "PIPOL: Jose Mari Chan, the little drummer boy of Christmas". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  11. ^ "Jose Mari Chan on revival of his songs: "I'm complimented, because it means that my songs can live on to the next generations."". PEP.ph. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  12. ^ "Filipino song composers of all time (Part 2)". PEP.ph. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  13. ^ "PMPC Star Awards for Music Lifetime Achievement awardee Jose Mari Chan expresses disappointment over lack of support for local musicians". PEP.ph. Retrieved September 3, 2023.