MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – It’s the ‘ber’ months — the unofficial start of the Christmas season in the Philippines — and once again, Filipino shoppers will be treated to the time-honored tradition of malls playing Jose Mari Chan’s Christmas carols.

This year, President Rodrigo Duterte has declared September 1 as a special non-working holiday to enable Filipinos nationwide to pay tribute to the singer for all seasons and all decades.

The proclamation was signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, urging young and old to troop to the malls and experience this Christmas tradition that’s unlike anything, anywhere in the world.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!