Keep the Christmas spirit going with these new OPM tunes
It’s two days after Christmas. The refrigerator is still filled with Noche Buena leftovers, and you’re probably wondering if you should start taking down your decorations. But who are we kidding? As Filipino tradition dictates, our holiday season—said to be the longest in the world—stretches all the way to Jan. 6, the Feast of the Epiphany.
To keep the Christmas spirit alive, here’s a fresh batch of new OPM Christmas tracks. Again, this isn’t your standard “jingle bells” playlist—we have OPM icons teaming up for lush orchestral ballads, bands jamming to rollicking rock ditties, and P-pop soloists finding their holiday voice.
In any case, these songs stay true to the core themes of Christmas: family, faith, and togetherness. And some may well be a soothing balm for those feeling a tinge of bittersweetness or longing, whether you’re experiencing the Christmas blues or just missing someone special.
And yes, the parols and the Christmas tree can stay a little longer.
“Season’s Breeze” by Tim Pavino
Theater actor and pop singer Timmy Pavino revisits cherished holiday memories with this comforting tune, which he describes as one of his “most rewarding artistic experiences” to date. It has sophisticated jazz-inflected delivery and vocal cadence—reminiscent of Jose Mari Chan’s classics. Pavino’s theater background shines through in his expressive phrasing, while the string-laden arrangement gives the track a timeless quality that manages to feel intimate but also grand and magical.
“It’s about dancing underneath the mistletoe, laughing with family and friends, and the warm feeling or embrace of not being alone, celebrating Christmas,” he says.
“Pasko sa Ating Puso” by InnerVoices
This simple but meaningful offering for Filipino families brings lightness and respite amid the challenges the country continues to face.
The song, a fresh take on Christmas music with a subtle rock twist, is propelled by an energetic arrangement that immediately sets it apart from traditional carols. Vocalist Patrick Marcelino’s bright tone feels comforting and familiar, as if he’s just jamming along with friends or leading a lively neighborhood Christmas party.
“We just wanted something light and memorable,” pioneering band member Rey Bergado says. He adds that the track is a reminder that Christmas is ultimately about family, celebration, and faith in Jesus. “The song wishes everyone happiness, but more than that, we hope that everyone finds peace.”
“Ikaw Lang ang Hiling” by Brei
Brei’s first-ever Christmas single, “Ikaw Lang Ang Hiling,” is a tender holiday ballad, brimming with longing and hope.
Wrapped in her wispy vocals, the song imagines Christmas as a time for longing and earnest wishes. “Ngayong taon magpapakabait, kung kapalit ay yakap mo’t halik. Taun-taon ikaw lang ang hiling, sana naman ako ay marinig,” coos Brei, a former member of the P-pop girl group MNL 48.
Sweet and dreamy, it’s the perfect companion for late-night drives—if you’re not stuck in maddening Manila traffic, that is—or for gazing at twinkling fairy lights. The production is understated, with flourishes of piano and guitars, and a soft backbeat that keeps the focus on the vulnerability of Brei’s voice.
“Pasko’y Walang Katulad” by Dylan Menor
Written by OPM legend Vehnee Saturno, Dylan Menor’s first Christmas offering is a nostalgic, guitar-driven track that harkens back to early 2000s pop-rock ballads.
With his “pogi rock” twang, Menor delivers a catchy chorus that insists a loved one is the greatest gift one could wish for this holiday season, giving the modern tune crossover appeal that bridges older OPM fans and the younger P-pop generation.
And with his role in the Metro Manila Film Festival entry “Manila’s Finest,” Menor ties his music and film projects together into a festive year-ender.
“Tuwing Pasko” by Ogie Alcasid and Odette Quesada
These two legendary singer-songwriters have extended their collaboration from the concert stage into the studio with “Tuwing Pasko”—a swaying ballad that captures the bittersweet feeling of missing someone during the holidays. Quesada wrote the first verse, chorus, and bridge before passing it to Alcasid, who then added the second verse.
“We worked on it together, and we finally sang it. Marvin Querido did his magic with the arrangement,” Alcasid recalls.
The duo’s voices blend effortlessly, and their creative synergy is apparent both on paper and on the mic. Querido’s lush orchestral arrangement gives the track a cinematic quality, heightening the timeless OPM magic one would expect from Alcasid and Quesada.
“It’s a classic with a wonderful melody. Odette’s fingerprints are all over the track, and my lyrics just helped fill in the second verse. It all came together perfectly,” Alcasid says.
