Walang balak magretiro sa pagkanta ang Pinoy music icon na si Jose Mari Chan.
Kung ang ibang may edad na ay ini-enjoy ang natitirang yugto ng kanilang buhay sa pagbibiyahe, hindi raw ito sumagi sa isipan ng 81-year-old singer-composer.
Katwiran niya, hanggang may makikinig sa kanyang musika, tuloy lamang ang kanyang pagkanta.
Sabi ng King of Romantic Songs, "Ah, no. I think, for as long as the audience is there, I'm happy to sing for them."
Kaya tuluy-tuloy lamang daw siya sa pagkanta hanggang kaya pa niya.
Saad ni Jose Mari: "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."
Anim na dekada na sa music industry si Chan na nagsimula noong 1966.
Pagbabalik-tanaw niya: "To 1967, when I first came out with my recording of 'Afterglow,' and which was followed by 1969, 'Deep in My Heart.'
"1972, Can We Just Stop and Talk Awhile.' In '74, 'Refrain', but I can go on and on and on."
Ilan pa sa mga sumikat na kanta ni Jose Mari ay ang "Constant Change," Please Be Careful with my Heart," "Beautiful Girl"; at ang mga classic na ngayong Christmas songs na "Christmas In Our Hearts," "A Perfect Christmas," at "When A Child Is Born."
JOSE MARI CHAN ON ROYALTY FROM HIS SONGS
Hanggang ngayon ba ay nakakatanggap siya ng royalty payments mula sa mga pinasikat niyang kanta?
At saang record labels ito nanggagaling?
Ang royalty ay ang bayad o porsiyento sa bawat nabebentang kanta o album mula sa cassete tapes, plaka or vinyls, at CDs.
Pagbabahagi ni Jose Mari: "Vicor, for example, is one. And then, Universal Records is another.
"You know, Dyna Records, Alpha...
"Unfortunately, since record sales are almost zero now. Nobody buys records, nobody buys CDs anymore.
"They download. And so, it's hard to quantify kasi those.
"So, I have not been receiving my checks from those recording companies."
Kaya naman ikinalulungkot daw niya ito lalo na para sa mga baguhang musician.
Saad ng legendary singer: "Yes, yes. So I feel frustrated, but more so, I feel frustrated for the young singer-songwriters in this country.
"Na ano na lang future that they can look forward to? You know what I mean?
"Where can they get their income from? You see?"
Dagdag pa niya, "I feel bad for the young songwriters in our country because how can they support their families? They have to look for other jobs. How frustrating, 'no?"
Hindi naman niya maalala kung kailan siya huling nakatanggap ng royalty payments.
Read: Rene Baterbonia's mother makes emotional plea at son's funeral
JOSE MARI CHAN TRIBUTE CONCERT
Nakausap ng media, kabilang ang PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal), si Jose Mari sa presscon ng upcoming concert niyng Afterglow: Seasons of the Heart noong Martes, June 23, 2026, sa isang restaurant sa Philippine International Conventiom Center (PICC), Pasay City.
Kasama niyang humarap sa media ang mga makakasama niya sa concert na sina Kolette Madelo ng Pinoy Big Brother Gen 11, "Tawag ng Tanghalan" champion Lyka Estrella, at "Tawag ng Tanghalan" 1st Duet Grand Champion at Your Face Sounds Familiar grand winners na sina JM dela Cera at Marielle Montellano.
Ang Afterglow: Seasons of the Heart ay magsisilbi ring tribute concert para sa music legend dahil sasariwain ang mga pinasikat nitong kanta.
Ayon kay Jose Mari: "I'm deeply honored to be spotlighted on this concert and after a singer-songwriter for more than sixty years, this is a glorious event for me.
"And also to be singing with our young talents, you know the Filipino talent will never disappear on this planet.
"The Filipinos are really known for their love and talent for music. And so I'm very proud to see the next generation coming up and I wish them a great future ahead in their journey."
Ang Afterglow: Seasons of the Heart concert ay mula sa QR Events. Ang direktor ng show ay si Carlo Jan Landrito.
Magaganap na ito sa darating na July 11, 2026 sa PICC Plenary Hall.
Read: Celeste Cortesi answers breakup rumors with sweet IG photo