Fil-Am's song captures spirit of Paskong Pinoy

A Filipino singer-songwriter in the United States recently released a song that speaks of his longing for the Christmas festivities celebrated in the Philippines around this time of the year.   New York-based singer Dennis Sy is the voice behind the song “Sa Araw ng Pasko,” which tells of “a special longing that hits those… [who are] not able to be with the ones they love” for Christmas.   Composed by Marylene Juarez and released by DSYMusic and Serendipity Hype Productions, the song goes: “Kislap ng mga ilaw handog sa akin ay ngiti Waring nagsasabing magkikita muli Para bang kailan lang ay kasama kita Pasko pa naman nang lumisan ka.”   In an e-mail  to GMA News Online, Sy said: “It was bittersweet interpreting and creating the video for the song, as the general theme for long for something could apply not just to a person, but to other things as well—even the very experience of celebrating Christmas at home.” Asked about his memories of Filipino Christmas, Sy said in good humor that “trying to answer this question is evoking a lot of memories from Christmases past,” listing down a number of activities including shopping at a tiangge for Christmas presents and “just having fun” at a carnival.   “But in the end it’s the gathering of family and friends and sharing the love during this special season that make a Pinoy Pasko a truly special and unique experience,” he said.   According to his website, Sy, who was part of the first commercially-released Christian album of Vicor Music, moved to the US in 1994 to pursue a career in information technology.    However, his inherent love for music still shone through, urging him to engage various engagements within the years, including a solo concert at the New York Ethical Society in Manhattan. - VVP, GMA News