Career
Gospel music career
Manalo was part of the gospel music group called Papuri! Music Ministry in the early 1990s. Some of his notable contributions to the Papuri! discography include "Tunay Nga" in Papuri! Volume 17, and "Kaya Mo" in Papuri! Volume 18. His siblings have been involved with his career, often vocalizing his compositions. He also improved his producing skills at the Far East Broadcasting Company, a local Christian radio station. [5] He was also mentored by Jungee Marcelo, a gospel songwriter who competed in songwriting festivals. [6]
Mainstream breakthrough
Manalo made his first significant break in the Philippine music industry with ABS-CBN's Himig Handog sa Makabagong Kabataan contest, which was open to amateurs and professionals alike. He won the grand prize with the winning composition, "Tara Tena", a song that centered around inspiring the youth to do more for their country, and was interpreted by Kyla, Kaya, and V3. [7] [8] Dubbed then as the "anthem of the youth" by the Filipino politician Loren Legarda, it was used as a theme song for an eponymous TV series that catered to a younger audience. [7]
In 2003, he entered and won third prize at the 7th Metropop Song Festival with "Buti Na Lang". [1]
Work with ABS-CBN Music
In 2004, he was offered a permanent position as a record producer and songwriter at ABS-CBN Music. His work with the network began with producing music for ABS-CBN shows including Wansapanataym , Search For The Star In A Million , Star Circle Quest , Pinoy Big Brother , Sharon’s May Kasama Ka, Maria Flor De Luna, and Mga Anghel Na Walang Langit . [3]
In 2007, Manalo was promoted to audio content and A&R head at Star Music. [9] He remained in this position until 2019, when he was promoted to creative director. [10]
In 2016, Manalo celebrated his 15th anniversary of composing with a concert titled KINSE: The Music of Jonathan Manalo. [11] It was held on December 3 at the Music Museum. [12]
In 2020, Manalo collaborated with other Southeast Asian musical artists to create the song "HEAL". The song was inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic and raised money to help those impacted by it. [13] [14]
'Kwento ng Alon' and 'Lyric and Beat'
In 2022, Manalo celebrated his 20th anniversary as a mainstream composer. [15] In relation to this milestone, Manalo collaborated with visual artist Kristine Lim on an art exhibit called Kwento ng Alon. This exhibit featured artworks by Lim based on Manalo's discography, including "Tara Tena", the Pinoy Big Brother theme song "Pinoy Ako", and the theme of FPJ's Ang Probinsyano . [16] [17]
Another tribute to Manalo's 20-year career was Lyric and Beat , a musical drama released on iWantTFC. It featured actors Andrea Brillantes and Seth Fedelin. The series also featured Manalo's songs. [1]
As part of this anniversary, a concert titled Mr. Music: The Hits of Jonathan Manalo was held at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resorts World Manila. Over 30 artists performed in the event, including P-pop groups BINI, BGYO and VXON, Lyric and Beat stars Jeremy Glinoga, AC Bonifacio, Darren Espanto, Angela Ken and Sheena Belarmino, My Safe Place EP artists Trisha Denise, LU.ME, KIRI, kotoji, and Marian Carmel, Idol Philippines Season 1 winner Zephanie and OPM icons KZ Tandingan, Moira Dela Torre, Erik Santos, Kyla, Angeline Quinto and many more. [18] [19]
In 2025, Manalo became a Grammy voting member. [8]
Personal life
Manalo is a Christian, [20] and his faith influences his music views. [4] While Manalo usually creates music "for the thrill of it", he maintains a dedication to creating songs that are "not against the laws of God". [3] In general, he composes primarily inspirational songs. According to him, a song is good if "it connects to a multitude of people." Manalo also considers composing music as a way to relieve stress. [3]
"Pinoy Ako" controversy
Allegations were made that "Pinoy Ako", the popular theme song of the Pinoy Big Brother franchise that Manalo composed and Orange and Lemons sang, had been copied from the 1980s Care hit "Chandeliers". Clem Castro, who produced the song with the Orange and Lemons, said that the allegations were false, and that the music was original. [21]
Awards and recognitions
In 2018, Manalo broke his own record at the Awit Awards with 21 nominations for both his songwriting and record producing. [20]
In 2021, he was chosen to be one of the recipients of the inaugural SUDI National Music Award from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, along with other musical artists including Gloc-9, Ebe Dancel, Noel Cabangon, and the Rak of Aegis cast. [22]
In the same year, Manalo also won the Best Theme Song award at the Asian Academy Creative Awards for the song "He's Into Her" sung by the group BGYO. [23]
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