LEA SALONGA AND PENTATONIX COLLAB LEADS CHRISTMAS RELEASES
With the Yuletide season in full swing, Lea Salonga and Pentatonix have collaborated on a new version of the Jose Mari Chan classic Christmas In Our Hearts. Other Christmas-themed singles are also starting to come in.
Lea Salonga, Pentatonix’s
Christmas in Our Hearts
Filipina Broadway icon Lea Salonga has joined American pop group Pentatonix in lighting up the holiday season with their rendition of Christmas In Our Hearts.
The new version of the Yuletide classic is part of Pentatonix’s sixth album, Holidays Around The World, out via RCA Records. Christmas In Our Hearts was originally written and performed by Diamond-certified Filipino artist Jose Mari Chan.
Brimming with effervescent harmonies and powerhouse vocals, the collab cover revisits the Christmas season with a comforting spin.
“I had the most wonderful time recording this classic Filipino Christmas song with Pentatonix,” Lea wrote on Instagram a few weeks ago. “And yes, this is the Christmas In Our Hearts you think it is.” The song is currently making rounds on local mainstream radio and streaming platforms.
Meanwhile, the a cappella ensemble brings their global vision back to life as they collaborate with some of the biggest pop stars and idols from different parts of the world. Besides Lea, Chinese pianist Lang Lang, Congolese gospel singer Grace Lokwa, Lebanese singer Hiba Tawaji, Latin band La Santa Cecilia, Indian superstar Shreya Ghoshal, Japanese YouTubers HIKAKIN & SEIKIN, British a cappella ensemble The King’s Singers and American superstar Meghan Trainor are part of Holidays Around The World.
To further promote the newlyreleased album, Pentatonix is set to embark on a multi-city tour in North America and Asia.
Holidays Around The World is now available on all digital music platforms via RCA Records/ Sony Music Entertainment.
Hazel Faith’s Pasko Kasama Mo
Hazel Faith helps spread the joy of the season with the release of her upbeat Christmas tune Pasko Kasama Mo via WATERWALK RECORDS and Sony Music Entertainment.
With its funky chords, and ‘80s city pop lilt, Pasko Kasama Mo finds the rising songstress reminding listeners why it’s the best time of the year.
“My mother has been asking me to write Christmas songs since forever,” said Hazel Faith. “But I had a hard time writing my own because I felt like all the great Christmas messages had already been made. For that reason, and the truth that I only saw Christmas as a tradition, left me uninspired. “But after the Lord renewed my faith, it’s like my vision turned technicolor. Suddenly, I was excited to celebrate Christmas. Not because of the parties, the foods or the gifts but because I was finally looking at the One whom Christmas is all about. Truly, Christmas felt hollow without Christ himself. And that led me to writing Pasko Kasama Mo. This was finally something I had a unique perspective to.”
Written by Hazel Faith herself, the track was arranged, produced, mixed and mastered by the gospelpop singer’s friend, Albert Tamayo.
She added, “When it came to the vibe, it was probably influenced by my feeling of nostalgia and then looking forward to all that is new. But honestly, I just told kuya Albert to make it sound like a station ID.”
With guidance by award-winning composer Jungee Marcelo and a rap verse by WATERWALK RECORDS artist Jericho Arceo, Pasko Kasama Mo captures the spirit and glow of Christmas with a retromodern appeal. Hazel Faith’s Pasko Kasama Mo is now available via https://lnk.to/HFxJA-PaskoKasamaMo.
Eich Abando’s Ngayong Pasko
From the Tawag ng Tanghalan (TNT) stage to the recording studio, Eich Abando continues to shine as an artist. He just released his debut single, a Christmas track titled Ngayong Pasko, under Curve Entertainment, featuring label-mate Duff Uno of Kawago fame. The single is now available in all digital streaming platforms worldwide.
Eich is a five-time defending champion of It’s Showtime’s Tawag ng Tanghalan and holds the record as the highest scorer among all the contestants of the show’s sixth season. His soulful renditions of popular songs all went viral on social media.
But long before joining TNT, Eich was already an awardwinning singer-songwriter, music producer, voice coach and sound engineer. He was also recognized with the Saludo Excellence Award for Best Musical Director of 2022.
Eich is now finalizing the release plans for his debut album which is due in early 2023.
Papa Obet’s Regalo
Barangay LS 97.1 disc jock Papa Obet has released Regalo, his newest self-composed Christmas ballad under GMA Music.
The song is about what’s going on in people’s minds and the feeling as Christmas draws near. It’s not about wanting material things, but being in the presence of one’s family, friends, co-workers or even pets in this season of giving.
Papa Obet is delighted to release another Christmas song, saying: “This is my second Christmas song and gusto kong mag-ipon ng Christmas song so masaya talaga ako to release this. Matagal ko na kasi itong naisulat at nalagyan ng tono.”
He added that if the song had to be connected to a specific situation, he could say that the song was made with OFWs in mind. “This is not just for any romantic relationship, this could refer to the relationship with your family, friends or things we treasure in life,” he said. “Yung parang last Christmas, kasama kita pero ngayon bakit wala ka na. (What I’m saying here is) I don’t want material things, what I want to receive is you — your presence. That’s the message I want to send across, that presence is more important than material gifts this Christmas.”
Meanwhile, Papa Obet expressed excitement over the possibility of collaborating with various Kapuso singers. Regalo is now on all digital streaming platforms worldwide.