OPM Icon Jose Mari Chan inspires PinOz Songwriters
Blacktown-NSW-Australia
December 27, 2018
(SYDNEY) MEMORY lane nostalgia is roused by our OPM icon Jose Mari (Jomari) Chan during his recent ‘Christmas In our Hearts and Lovesongs’ gig, an evening of classic romance and timeless music recently at Blacktown Workers Club’s Diamond Showroom.
OPM Icon Jose Mari Chan inspires songwriters and mentored PinOz Songwriters live on stage (photo by: Marilie Bomediano)
Mary Ann Ansaldo-Chan (4th from left) with Jose Mari Chan’s Ateneo Alumni Association Australia (AAAA) supporters: Dr Raul Amor and wife Dr Arlene Amor, AAAA President Mike Alvarez with wife Sylvia Alvarez at the Blacktown concert (photo by: Marilie Bomediano)
Sydney’s CALD diverse multicultural audience also roared with hard laughter upon hearing Jomari’s Ilonggo accent comedic act during his consecutive concerts at Blacktown Workers Club, Sydney CBD’s Williamstown Townhall, after Pabico’s Meet & Greet.
He is married to Mary Ann Ansaldo and has five children, who have inherited their musical talent from him. His daughter, Liza, has been featured in several duets with him. His son, Michael is also a singer and guitarist.
When asked about his composition ‘A Love to Last a Lifetime’ that expressed his love for his wife Mary Ann on their 7th Anniversary in 1977 while boarded on the plane to Lima, Peru for business:
“Thanks for choosing me from all the rest ..
‘though I’m far from being the best.
Most of all, I want to thank you, Love, for loving me”
To aspiring songwriters, first organize what you want to say. Let it come from the heart, says singer-songwriter Jose Mari to aspiring pinoy and multicultural composers.
This OPM lyrics regained new lease after ABS-CBN (TV Network) used it as a theme song in a recent teleserye:
“A good song is a good marriage of words and music. They have to complement each other like husband and wife. Make the lyrics sing... the rhyme should be appealing not contrived, composer Jomari added.
“My songs are like my children. Each one is unique. Conceived and born under different circumstances.
“I have no special favorites.
Every HIT is like a child becoming successful in life. A president of a Bank, etc...
“I have had songs that I felt had great potential but radio and tv did not help to promote them. They are like children that didn’t get higher education so they ended up not accomplished.
“Out of over 100 songs that I have written, I have more than 50 songs that didn’t quite make the score.
Jomari’s Blacktown concert’s special guest was Filipino-Australian vocalist-composer Crizelda Canico Guce aka Criz Guce (Radio Tagumpay Triple H 100.1 FM broadcaster) from Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Community Radio Station.
Left photo: Jomari held Criz Guze hearing challenged performer on stage as she lip-read him during their “Be Careful with my Heart!” Song duet for perfect synchrony at Blacktown Workers Club’s Diamond Showroom (photo by: Julma Oheda); Right photo: PM icon singer-songwriter Jose Mari Chan with wife Mary Ann Ansaldo-Chan during their Sydney airport touchdown with their OzPinoy Promotions show producer Carol Manaloto (middle) (photo by: OzPinoy Promotions)
Born and raised in Manila, Criz was born with speech and hearing disability but naturally gifted in singing. Amazingly, she has easily overcomed her impairment through music.
“It was really touching and I felt really blessed to be singing with him on stage with his own composition. It really meant so much for me..a gift of a lifetime, Criz said!
“My song duet with Jomari: ‘Please be Careful with my Heart’, singing it’s lyrics greatly affected me due to my divorce from my very first bf and ex husband.
“From the pain and struggles that l've been through, it scares me to move on for another relationship... it seems ‘parang ang hirap na tuloy maniwala whenever a guy says he loves me’!
From left: Jose Mari Chan’s Blacktown concert special guest: Filipino-Australian vocalist-composer Crizelda Canico Guce aka Criz Guce (Radio Tagumpay Triple H 100.1 FM producer-presenter with Sandigan Radio 88.1 FM 2RDJ producer-presenter fans: Marilie Bomediano (The Canberra Reporter) and Carmen Flowers (photo by: Marilie Bomediano)
“I have to look after my heart and my soul this time. But l believe that God has purpose for everything and l believe in destiny in God's perfect timing and will.
“So l will just continue to enjoy my life with my kids and my music journey till my destiny comes along, Criz added.
Criz was employed under AG's Talent Management and Development as vocalist of Footnotes Band, Black Satin Band and AG'S Crystallites and worked as a contract band singer in Singapore and Japan in the late 80's.
Jose Mari Chan was also supported by his co-performers VSD Dancers (Victor Valdez & team), a yuletide fun-fare blast, produced by OzPinoy Promotions. (photo by: Marilie Bomediano)
Jomari Chan was also supported by his co-performers: Vonix Connex, Albie Prias, Porsha and their back up singers Rie Manaloto, Grace & Michael, the Phil Dance Ensemble (Ms Linda Rose & team) and VSD (Victor Valdez & team), a fun fare blast, produced by OzPinoy Promotions.
All of his CD’s were totally sold out to the max, but things didn’t stop the Filipino Community (FILCOM) fans from queuing for his signature even only with their mere show tickets and photo memorabilias.
José Mari L. Chan (born March 11, 1945 in Iloilo City), commonly known as Jose Mari Chan is a Chinese Filipino singer, songwriter and businessman in the sugar industry. He is currently chairman and CEO of Binalbagan Isabela Sugar Company, Inc. (BISCOM) and A. Chan Sugar Corporation.
Jomari was coached by mentor-wife Mary Ann to hold Criz Guze, a hearing challenged fellow performer on stage for an easier lip-reading during their “Be Careful with my Heart!” song duet for perfect synchrony at Blacktown Workers Club’s Diamond Showroom (photo by: Marilie Bomediano)
He is also the chairman and president of Signature Music, Inc. He is also dubbed as the "Father of Philippine Christmas Music" because as early as September 1st of every year, his Christmas themed songs are being played in different areas in the Philippines.
Chan graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics from Ateneo de Manila University in 1967.
Proud Atenean, Jomari is renowned for his genres in Adult contemporary, Classical music, Christmas music, Easy Listening, Pop Music, he has returned to Sydney after his concert here in 2012.
-----------------------------
Discography details: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jose_Mari_Chan