In the Philippines, the Christmas season dawns with the turn of the calendar to September, a cultural hallmark that transforms the archipelago into a festive wonderland of twinkling parols, hot tsokolate, and cherished holiday melodies. Leading the charge this year is Asia’s Romantic Balladeer, Christian Bautista, who ushered in the 2025 festivities with a soul-stirring remake of Jose Mari Chan’s beloved classic “Let Love Be the Gift.” Released on September 1, this enchanting duet, featuring the Philippines’ “Lumpia Queen” Abi Marquez, blends timeless vocals with fresh charm, capturing the essence of Filipino holiday spirit. With lyrics by Freddie Santos and music by the iconic Chan, the track, arranged by legendary musician Homer Flores and produced by Bautista himself under Signature Music Inc., is a radiant celebration of love and togetherness, blessed by Chan himself. The project’s announcement, accompanied by a playful social media photo of Bautista, Marquez, and Chan peeking out with infectious joy, set the tone for a season brimming with warmth.
The collaboration between Bautista and Marquez, both artists under NYMA Talent Management—where Bautista also serves as CEO—was a natural fit, born from a shared passion for spreading holiday cheer. As Bautista planned his annual Christmas project, he sought a duet partner who could embody the season’s magic. Abi, a close friend and rising star, emerged as the perfect choice. Known as the Lumpia Queen for her culinary content that has captivated millions online, Marquez harbors a lesser-known love for music, having honed her vocal skills before her internet fame. Her natural charisma, engaging presence, and sincere, sweet voice brought a vibrant sparkle to the recording, complementing Bautista’s velvety, timeless vocals. Under his gentle guidance, Abi blossomed in the studio, their chemistry crafting a duet that feels like a warm embrace, evoking nostalgia and the joy of Filipino Christmases past and present.
The recording process was a labor of love, with Bautista, a seasoned artist with hits like “The Way You Look at Me,” coaching Abi to unlock the full potential of her voice. The result is a rendition of “Let Love Be the Gift” that radiates heartfelt emotion, blending Flores’ lush arrangements with the duo’s harmonious interplay. “Christmas is about love, family, and sharing joy,” Bautista shared. “Singing this song again, now with Abi, feels like a gift in itself. She’s proving herself as a multidimensional talent, and I hope listeners feel the magic we poured into it.” Abi, still marveling at the opportunity, added, “I never imagined recording a Christmas song with Christian! It’s a dream come true, and I hope people feel the joy we did making it.” Their duet transforms Chan’s classic into a fresh yet familiar anthem, inviting listeners to bask in the season’s glow.
Beyond their vocal synergy, Bautista and Marquez represent a fusion of Filipino artistry—his from the stage, hers from the kitchen—that resonates deeply with the nation’s cultural heartbeat. Abi’s rise as a content creator, blending culinary creativity with infectious charm, mirrors the grassroots spirit of Filipino storytelling, while Bautista’s decades-long career as a balladeer embodies the country’s love for soulful music. Together, they’ve crafted a holiday offering that bridges generations, reminding Filipinos that Christmas thrives on kindness, connection, and shared traditions. The song’s release on all streaming platforms marks the start of the festive season, encouraging fans to light their Christmas lights, hang their star-shaped parols, and sip tsokolate while the melody fills their homes.
The celebration promises to extend beyond the single, with an eagerly awaited music video set to debut as the holidays approach, alongside other surprises designed to amplify the Christmas spirit. Bautista, whose holiday albums like My Christmas Album have become seasonal staples, and Marquez, a newcomer to music but a beloved figure in Filipino pop culture, are poised to make this duet a cherished addition to the nation’s Christmas canon. As the Philippines embraces its famously long holiday season—often dubbed the “-ber months”—“Let Love Be the Gift” stands as a beacon of togetherness, proving that whether through a heartfelt ballad or a perfectly rolled lumpia, the true gift of Christmas is the joy of shared moments, wrapped in music that warms the heart.
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