Jose Mari Chan, the iconic Filipino singer-songwriter known as the Father of Philippine Christmas Music, has revealed that he no longer receives royalty payments from record companies due to the decline of physical album sales.
Royalties Drying Up
In an interview with PEP.ph, the 81-year-old musician explained that royalties—payments or a share of revenue from song or album sales—have become scarce. "Unfortunately, since record sales are almost zero now. Nobody buys records, nobody buys CDs anymore. They download. And so, it’s hard to quantify those. So, I have not been receiving my checks from those recording companies," Chan said.
He expressed frustration not only for himself but also for younger artists. "So I feel frustrated, but more so, I feel frustrated for the young singer-songwriters in this country. What kind of future can they look forward to? You know what I mean?"
Streaming as a Lifeline
Despite the lack of physical sales royalties, Chan noted that he continues to earn from streaming platforms. However, he admitted he can no longer recall the last time he received a royalty check from a record company.
No Plans to Retire
Chan affirmed that he has no intention of retiring as long as his music reaches listeners. "You know, God willing. Yeah, because music is God’s gift to me. And expressing my songs and giving joy to people, that’s my gift back to God," he shared.
Timeless Hits
Chan's biggest hits date back to the 1960s and 1970s, including "Deep in My Heart," "Can We Just Stop and Talk Awhile," "Refrain," "Constant Change," "Please Be Careful with My Heart," and "Beautiful Girl." He is also beloved for his Christmas classics "Christmas in Our Hearts" and "A Perfect Christmas."
