Jose Mari Chan writes new lyrics for 'Christmas In Our Hearts,' 'A Perfect Christmas' in light of COVID-19

The "ber" months are officially here and, as expected, Jose Mari Chan has a playlist at the ready for you.

But since the holiday season is going to be different this year, the Father of Philippine Christmas Music has come up with a new set of meaningful lyrics for some of his most  timeless Christmas songs.

He shared them on GMA-7's morning show "Unang Hirit" Tuesday, where he sang with his kids and grandchildren.

"Christmas In Our Hearts" has been a Yuletide anthem for us in the past few decades, but Chan thought of changing some words with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in mind.

The "new" version goes like so:

"Whenever I hear girls and boys
Singing carols in my mind,
I remember the past
When everything was fine.
Whenever I see people
Giving gifts to those in need,
I believe this Christmas
We should be there to lead.
Let's open up our hearts
For a bright tomorrow,
In any way we can
And drive out all our sorrow."
[Chorus]

As for his 1990 hit "A Perfect Christmas," Jose Mari Chan took into consideration those who might have to spend Christmas apart this year.

"My idea of a perfect Christmas,
is to spend it with you.
We could Facetime an hour or two,
Any app would do.
Carry with you this Yuletide season,
it would light up my life.
Though we are distant,
You'll see in my face
That my heart is with you."

Memes that have been circulating online say Jose Mari Chan "awakens" at the first dawn of September.

During his interview on "Unang Hirit," the singer revealed that he did have holiday plans, and that was to help groups of carol singers spread the joy of Christmas through music.

“I’ve had already two groups that are going to carol this Friday. They represent a foundation helping the poor and so I told them, ‘Okay. I’ll be there with you. I will sponsor. I will donate,” Chan said.

And with many Filipinos in need of relief amid the health crisis, Chan recalled some important lines from his song "Christmas Moments" and repeated them to TV viewers.

"I remember my Christmas when we went around,
My daddy took us down to some orphans in town,
He gave some goodies away,
Happy faces made our day
We learned that giving and sharing,
Is the real Christmas way."

—AOL/LA, GMA News