Every year, ABS-CBN, more than any other network, tries to catch lightning in a bottle by coming up with a catchy Christmas jingle that could possibly enter our national consciousness, much like Jose Mari Chan’s “Christmas In Our Hearts” did since 1991 to this very day. Most of the songs do catch on during the season, but only a couple ever managed to really stand the test of time.
Here now are the 8 best ABS-CBN Christmas Jingles of all time.
8. “Family Is Forever” (2019)
This year’s current jingle continues on the family theme that’s been running for a while now in ABS CBN’s Christmas ID’s. It’s pretty catchy, but a lot of that is because it borrows very heavily from our #1 song, to the point that it does an entire medley segment into it, which makes us think that for this decade at least, Channel 2 has given up on trying to beat “Ikaw ang Star ng Pasko.”
7. “Ngayong Pasko, Magniningning ang Pilipino” (2010)
Most memorable for sounding vaguely like the #1 song in this list (as opposed to straight ripping it off), it put the Filipino in centerstage in 2010 as opposed to who the “star” should be in the #1, which made it a gradual shift in focus that never quite came back after 2009. Was it the shift in focus that resulted in less popular Christmas music? Probably not, but it’s an interesting thought exercise when you consider the songs that came after that year.
6. “Isang Pamilya Tayo Ngayong Pasko” (2016)
Doubling down on its “Kapamilya” tag, 2016’s jingle is fast-paced, filled with great blending harmonies, although the more you listen to ABS-CBN’s jingles, it feels like there’s a checklist they’re doing for nailing these songs: something about home and family, overcoming adversity, love, hope, the true meaning of Christmas, and the beauty of Christmas. As formulaic as it seems, it’s hard to get cynical about it – “Isang Pamilya Tayo Ngayong Pasko” really nails the idea of togetherness during the holidays, and how special it is.
5. “Family Is Love” (2018)
“Family” and “Love” are the two most common themes in these jingles, as there have been a total of 5 songs that involve one or the other. This 2018 Christmas ID is the one that combined both, to beautiful effect. It’s got an easy melody to sing along to, and it’s fun to do the second voice for the whole thing.
4. “Da Best Ang Pasko Ng Pilipino” (2011)
The chorus where the choir sings “Ito ang Paskooooooo (ng Pilipino)” is incredibly catchy, and memorable enough for you to vaguely remember hearing this decent hit from 2011. Maria Aragon certainly outdid herself here, even if the fact that it was a solo song instead of an ensemble piece kept this one from reaching the epic heights the best jingles did. Still, this was much better than the short “Kwento ng Pasko” theme ABS-CBN went with in the next two years, which, for some reason, just never clicked.
3. “Thank You, ang Babait Ninyo” (2014)
A fair standout song that calls to mind what carolers sing to us after we give them something, 2014’s jingle was often surrounded by a lot of feel-good images of the ABS-CBN talents and news crew giving presents to impoverished children. It was equal parts a Christmas jingle and a CSR video, and there’s nothing wrong with paying things forward and encouraging everyone to do the same.
2. “Sa Araw ng Pasko” (1998)
The only distinct ABS-CBN Christmas song that didn’t come from the 21st century, it’s also the second best of all time. With a star-studded cast that really brought their A-game, this was the jingle that really stuck with us for the rest of the ‘90s and most of the early aughts. It shouldn’t be a shocker that there’s one song that managed to surpass it, though.
1. “Ikaw Ang Star ng Pasko” (2009)
Was there any doubt this was going to top this list? The only song people still sing to this very day out of all the jingles ABS-CBN has come up with, “Ikaw ang Star” was the perfect way to cap off a year that was marked with tragedy. Remember: this was the year Francis M passed, and the year Ondoy happened.
By reminding everyone who Christmas is really about, “Ikaw ang Star” has an infectious melody, a karaoke-friendly range, and can easily be slowed down a bit to turn into a very heart-rending Yuletide ballad. All this, and the kind of lasting power only “Christmas In Our Hearts” and “All I Want for Christmas Is You” has ever managed to pull off in the last three decades is why this jingle handily tops the list.
What’s your fave ABS-CBN station ID? Let us know below!
