At the beginning of every September, malls across the Philippines switch on their festive lights, unveil dazzling holiday displays, and pipe carols into the air. It is the start of the “‘ber months,” — the unofficial start of the longest Christmas season in the world — often marked by memes of Jose Mari Chan, whose tracks “Christmas in Our Hearts” and “A Perfect Christmas” are essential listening during the holiday season.
Other ballads, like Gary Valenciano’s “Pasko na Sinta Ko,” Ariel Rivera’s “Sana Ngayong Pasko,” and APO Hiking Society’s “Himig ng Pasko” capture the sentimentality of the ‘ber months, while Mariah Carey never fails to remind us that her perennial hit, “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” will once again climb the charts in radio stations all over the country.
Filipinos embrace these traditions wholeheartedly, but the holiday soundtrack doesn’t need to end there. Music has a way of shaping memory, and there is value in broadening the ‘ber months playlist beyond the familiar standards. This year, when the holiday playlists begin to loop, consider making space for a few unexpected choices. They may not replace the classics, but they can add new dimensions to how the season sounds.
Here are five tracks worth considering when the barangay sound system starts ringing in the holidays.
Green Day, ‘Wake Me Up When September Ends’
At first glance, Green Day’s 2004 ballad may not seem like a holiday song at all. Written by frontman Billie Joe Armstrong about the death of his father, “Wake Me Up When September Ends” carries a weight of grief and personal loss. Its acoustic guitar lines and soaring chorus place it closer to a rock elegy than a Christmas anthem.
Still, the track has taken on a second life in the Philippines as an unofficial signal of the ‘ber months. Year after year, its chorus resurfaces at school programs, parties, and on social media posts that welcome September with a wink. The irony is undeniable, but so is the comfort. The song captures a sense of transition into the holiday season, making it an unlikely yet fitting soundtrack for the start of the celebrations.
ABS-CBN, ‘Star ng Pasko’
Among the annual station IDs that have become a staple of Philippine television, ABS-CBN’s 2009 anthem stands out. “Star ng Pasko” combined contemporary R&B textures with a distinctly communal message. Featuring ABS-CBN’s celebrity roster joining in the choir, the Marcus and Amber Davis’ composed song anchored its chorus in a hook that could have come straight from the local pop production houses of the time.
More than a promotional jingle, it quickly became one of the most enduring holiday songs of its generation. With its soaring chorus, layered harmonies, and message of hope, it transcended its origin as a television campaign. In hindsight, the song was both of its time and ahead of its time: catchy enough to become ubiquitous yet heartfelt enough to resonate beyond broadcast. More than a decade later, “Star ng Pasko” remains one of the strongest original Christmas entries from local media.
Michael Bublé, ‘Winter Wonderland’
Few artists are as closely associated with modern Christmas playlists as Michael Bublé, and “Winter Wonderland,” from his 2011 holiday album, exemplifies why.
Bublé’s appeal lies in his ability to capture the essence of the classic balladeers while keeping his interpretations accessible: His crooning delivery and warm arrangements are tailor-made for grand family gatherings, making Bublé’s presence in holiday playlists almost expected. For many Filipino households, his voice signals the season as much as any local carol, and “Winter Wonderland,” in particular, feels timeless, and it deserves a place in your December evening soundtrack.
Justin Bieber, ‘Mistletoe’
When Justin Bieber released “Mistletoe” in 2011, he was still in the early stages of his career, transitioning from viral teenage star to global pop figure. The track, taken from his holiday album Under the Mistletoe, captured that in-between moment perfectly. It blended the innocence of his puppy-love image with a polished pop production, turning a seasonal single into a chart presence.
“Mistletoe” resonates today as a Christmas song, but also as a snapshot of Bieber’s career. Its acoustic strums and earnest lyrics feel deliberately sentimental, but that sincerity is exactly what made it appealing. For Filipino listeners who followed Bieber’s rise closely, the song offered both a holiday anthem and a sign of an artist maturing before their eyes. Over a decade later, “Mistletoe” remains one of the more distinctive pop entries in the holiday canon.
Sex Bomb Girls, ‘Wish Ko Sa Pasko’
The Sex Bomb Girls were a cultural force in Philippine entertainment during the early 2000s, and their foray into Christmas music reflects both their signature style and the era that produced them. “Wish Ko Sa Pasko” combines upbeat variety-show energy with playful ad-libs, giving it a campy charm that sets it apart from more solemn holiday ballads.
At its heart, the song is a straightforward Christmas wish, but the execution makes it unforgettable. From its energetic vocal delivery to its cheeky references, it carries the unmistakable stamp of the group’s variety show origins. While it may not receive the same attention as Jose Mari Chan or Gary Valenciano, “Wish Ko Sa Pasko” embodies the festive excess and humor that make the ‘ber months unique. It is precisely in its gimmickry that the song finds its appeal, reminding listeners that Christmas is also about playfulness.
