There's a happy dance on TikTok starring ATMs and the Philippines' favorite yuletide carol that is not "Christmas In Our Hearts."
Barely a month before Dec. 25, and with companies defying the pandemic to give employees their 13th-month pay, salaried Filipinos are dancing in front of ATMs to Aegis' "Christmas Bonus," counting the days until they get the much-awaited windfall.
"Christmas Bonus" is 20 years old, released Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg was 16, long before Friendster and MySpace. Now, it's getting a second wind on the Gen Z app along with Inoj's 90s jam "All I Want is Your Love."
MORE ON 13TH MONTH PAY:
13th Month Pay: Everything You Need to Know
To Ensure 13th Month Pay, DOLE Seeks Subsidies for Distressed Employers
"Christmas Bonus" on TikTok shows the enduring appeal of the Aegis hit, sung in videoke party style as their other hits "Luha," "Halik" and "Basang-Basa sa Ulan." Throughout their career, Aegis released just one Christmas album according to the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
ALSO READ:
Why COVID Can't Cancel the World's Longest Christmas
WATCH: Filipino Values, Parol, Star in Disney's 2020 Christmas Ad
"Filipinos are looking forward to celebrate Christmas not just from religious or cultural aspect but also from political, economic as well as social dimensions,"Joefe Santarita, Dean of the UP Asian Center, earlier told reportr.
Physical distancing will play a huge role in how Christmas is celebrated in the year of COVID-19. Street carolling is banned and people are advised to keep family gatherings small.
"Cancelling Christmas parties should not be seen as spoiler but rather as precautionary safety measure in compliance to the IATF guidelines," said Santarita. Without big parties to spend on, what's left of holiday cash can be spent on family, he said.