Middle class professionals whose December were once booked with countless parties and reunions with families and friends would have to adjust to a quieter, frenzied-freed, and no-frills Christmas celebration.
But karaoke singing will remain a favorite past time during the holidays, albeit live performances will only be with immediate families or via any virtual platform. So, let us start practicing our karaoke piece and choose from any of these Top 10 Original Pilipino Music (OPM) that will definitely spark a last song syndrome (LSS). The intro and chorus of each song is here. Start singing!
1. HIMIG NG PASKO
This song was originally written and performed by APO Hiking Society. The opening line describes the cool air called Amihan that starts around December.
Malamig ang simoy ng hangin
Kay saya ng bawa’t damdamin
Ang tibok ng puso sa dibdib
Para bang hulog ng langitChorus:
Himig ng Pasko’y laganap
Mayro’ng siglâ ang lahat
Wala ang kalungkutan
Lubós ang kasayahan
2. PASKO NA SINTA KO.
One of the most widely known romantic OPM songs popularized by Gary Valenciano. My friends dub it as the theme song of members of SMP or “Samahan ng malalamig ang Pasko” or those who will be spending Christmas, heart-broken.
Pasko na sinta ko hanap-hanap kita
Bakit magtatampo’t nilisan akoKung mawawala ka sa piling ko sinta
Paano ang Pasko, inulila moChorus:
Sayang sinta ang sinumpaan
At pagtitinginang tunay
Nais mo bang kalimutang ganap
Ang ating suyuan at galak
3. KUMUKUTIKUTITAP.
Composed and arranged by Filipino music maestro, Ryan Cayabyab, this very lively Christmas song shows how we celebrate the holidays with lights and ornaments that create a festive atmosphere. This is a favorite song in choir competitions.
Kumukutikutitap, bumubusibusilak
Ganyan ang indak ng mga bumbilya
Kikindat – kindat, kukurap -kurap
Pinaglalaruan ng inyong mga mataChorus:
Repeat Verse 1
Iba’t – ibang palamuti
Ating isabit sa puno
Buhusan ng mga kulay
Tambakan ng mga regaloTumitibok-tibok, sumisinok – sinok
Wag lang malundo sa sabitin
Pupulupot-lupot paikot ng paikot
Koronahan ng palarang bituin
4. NOCHE BUENA.
The wonderful Filipino tradition of preparing a grand feast to welcome Christmas by 12 midnight is featured in this catchy and nostalgic song written for hosting a Noche Buena.
Kay sigla ng gabi,
Ang lahat ay kay saya
Nagluto ang Ate ng manok na tinola
Sa bahay ng Kuya
ay mayroong litsonan pa
Ang lahat ay may handang iba’t-iba.
Chorus:
Tayo na, giliw, magsalo na tayo
Mayroon na tayong tinapay at keso.
‘Di ba Noche Buena sa gabing ito
At bukas ay araw ng Pasko!
5. SANA NGAYONG PASKO.
For Titos and Titas like me who used to run after Ariel Rivera when he did campus rounds during his heyday, this song will always be part of our top OPM Christmas songs. Made for the broken-hearted, this song expresses longing for a loved one who cannot celebrate Christmas together.
Pasko na naman ngunit wala ka pa
Hanggang kailan kaya ako maghihintay sayo
Bakit ba naman kailangang lumisan pa
Ang tanging hangad ko lang ay makapiling kaChorus:
Sana ngayong Pasko ay maalala mo pa rin ako
Hinahanap-hanap pag-ibig mo
At kahit wala ka na
Nangangarap at umaasa pa rin ako
Muling makita ka at makasama ka
Sa araw ng Pasko…
6. CHRISTMAS IN OUR HEARTS.
Singer-songwriter Jose Marie Chan is an icon of Filipino Christmas. Memes of him peeking from a door turns viral in social media as soon as the “ber” months start. This is one of his most popular Christmas songs since 1989 that reminds us that Christmas is a wonderful season of love, joy, and hope.
Whenever I see girls and boys
Selling lanterns on the street
I remember the child in the manger as he sleeps
Wherever there are people
Giving gifts exchanging cards
I believe that Christmas is truly in our hearts
Let’s light our Christmas trees for a bright tomorrow
Where nations are at peace,
And all are one in GodChorus:
Let’s sing Merry Christmas and a happy holiday
This season may we never forget the love we have for Jesus
Let him be the one to guide us as another new year starts
And may the spirit of Christmas be always in our hearts
8. PASKO NA NAMAN.
National artists Felipe de Leon and Levy Celerio composed this upbeat song that makes everyone jump to dance. Who among us did not experience joining a caroling group with this as the primary song?
Pasko na naman
O kay tulin ng araw
Paskong nagdaan
Tila ba kung kailan lang
Ngayon ay Pasko
Dapat pasalamatan
Ngayon ay Pasko
Tayo ay mag-awitan.Chorus:
Pasko! Pasko!
Pasko na naman muli.
Tanging araw na ating pinakamimithi.
Pasko! Pasko!
Pasko na naman muli.
Ang pag-ibig naghahari!
9. MISS KITA KUNG CHRISTMAS.
This 1975 song for the heartbroken was first popularized by Susan Fuentes but recorded later on by several artists like Carol Banawa and Sarah Geronimo. It is also one of the anthems of members of SMP along with Sana Ngayong Pasko.
Ang disyembre ko ay malungkot
Pagkat miss kita
Anumang pilit kong magsaya
Miss kita kung christmasKahit nasaan ako
Pabaling-baling ng tingin
Walang tulad mo
Ang nakapagtataka’y
Maraming nakahihigit sa iyoHinahanap-hanap pa rin kita
Ewan ko kung bakit ba
Ako’y iniwan mong nag-iisa
Miss kita oh giliwChorus:
Pasko’y sasapit
Di ko mapigil ang mangulila
Hirap n’yan mayro’n ka ng iba
Hirap n’yan mayro’n ka ng iba
10. ANG PASKO AY SUMAPIT.
Another anthem for Christmas carolers with its snappy beat and easy-to-sing lyrics. The song tells of how Christmas is celebrated in the Philippines – prayerful, exciting, and festive.
Ang Pasko ay sumapit
Tayo ay mangagsi-awit
Ng magagandang himig
Dahil sa ang Diyos ay pag-ibig.
Nang si Kristo’y isilang
May tatlong haring nagsidalaw
At ang bawa’t isa ay nagsipaghandog
Ng tanging alay.Bagong Taon ay magbagong-buhay
Nang lumigaya ang ating bayan
Tayo’y magsikap upang makamtan
Natin ang kasaganahan.Chorus:
Tayo’y mangagsi-awit
Habang ang mundo’y tahimik
Ang araw ay sumapit
Ng sanggol na dulot ng langitTayo ay magmahalan
Ating sundin ang gintong aral
At magbuhat ngayon
Kahit hindi Pasko ay magbigayan!
Christmas is a once-a-year season that reminds us that there is much love, happiness, and joy to share with each other. After all, singing to our heart’s content is one of the best ways to fight the blues during this pandemic.
