Jose Mari Chan's 'Christmas in our Hearts' is now in Filipino and will give you brand new Pasko feels
- No Christmas song is more iconic for Filipinos than "Christmas in our Hearts"
- The song heralds the start of the Pinoy Christmas season
- Now there is a Filipino version of the popular tune
An award-winning poet has translated Jose Mari Chan's classic "Christmas in our Hearts" into Filipino.
It is titled "Pasko sa Ating Puso".
Michael Coroza, a professor at Ateneo de Manila University, wrote the translation in 2016.
He decided to share his version of the song this year through social media.
His version was sung by his son, Miko Idyanale. The recording was done on at a radio broadcast on December 2016.
According to Coroza's Facebook post, he translated the song because of its popularity. He also said the melody is very Filipino despite having original English lyrics.
Coroza clarified that he is not monetizing the song and just uploaded it as a Christmas gift to Filipinos.
The original song "Christmas in our Hearts" was first released in 1990 and featured Jose Mari Chan's daughter Liza Chan on vocals.
The enduring popularity of the song has made Chan the "Father of Philippine Christmas Music".
Here's the lyrics to the Filipino translation:
PASKO SA ATING PUSO
Pag may batang nagtitinda
ng parol sa lansangan,
ang naaalala'y
ang sanggol sa sabsaban.
Kapag may bumabati
sa kapwa't nag-aalay,
ang Pasko sa puso'y
naghaharing tunay.
Ilawan ang parol
sa payapang bukas
nang sa Diyos ang lahat
magkaisang ganap.
Tayo'y magsiawit
ng "Maligayang Pasko"
At kailanman ay h'wag iwaglit
ang pag-ibig kay Kristo;
S'ya ang gagabay sa atin
sa hangáring magbago
at sa puso ay maghari
ang diwa ng Pasko.
Sa panalangin at awit
ang baya’y nabubuklod,
ipinagdiriwang
ang pagsilang ni Jesus.
Nawa ang liwanag
noong unang Pasko,
sa sabsaban ni Kristo
ay ihatid tayo.
Halina’t magdiwang,
ang lahat ay mag-awitan,
sa iisang tinig
purihin ang Maykapal!
Tayo'y magsiawit
ng "Maligayang Pasko"
At kailanman ay h'wag iwaglit
ang pag-ibig kay Kristo;
S'ya ang gagabay sa atin
sa hangáring magbago
at sa puso ay maghari
ang diwa ng Pasko.
Source: KAMI.com.gh
