On Tuesday, May 17, there was nothing else that ABS-CBN Music creative director Jonathan Manalo wanted but only more international projects.
Celebrating his 20th year in the music industry, Manalo has already worked with the country’s iconic singers, including Sharon Cuneta, Pops Fernandez, Sarah Geronimo, Martin Nievera, Gary Valenciano, and many more.
“Naku! Ako ang panalangin ko talaga, magkaroon pa ako ng mas marami pang mga foreign collaborations. Kasi sobra akong grateful. Kasi parang lahat na legends, lahat ng bagong stars, parang lahat nakatrabaho ko na,” he wished during an interview.
Suppose there is an artist he wants to do a project with, Jose Mari Chan. Manalo has yet to work with the singer on a song.
“Siguro kung may hindi pa ako nakakatrabaho na siya mismo, nag-produce lang ako ng mga songs niya
“Yung mga songs ni Jose Mari Chan. Na-produce ko na for other artists pero ako never pa ako nakapag-work directly with Jose Mari Chan.
“Sana, sana. Gusto ko siyang maka-work on a project.”
Celebrating his 20th anniversary with a bang
Manalo will have a concert, an upcoming musical series on ABS-CBN, and an album to commemorate his 20-year career.
For the concert, the Kapamilya executive revealed that it would be graced by a star-studded cast with whom he had worked in the past.
“Lahat ng mga nakatrabaho ko in the last 20 years. For sure nandiyan yung mga matagal ko ng kasama. For sure may Erik (Santos) diyan, Moira, Yeng (Constantino), Angeli (Quinto).”
His musical series, titled Lyric and Beat, will star Andrea Brillantes, Seth Fedelin, Darren Espanto, and other young artists. It is an 8-part show that will be on all ABS-CBN platforms.
“This is going to be a digital series that will be shown on ABS-CBN platforms,” he shared. “Ano po siya, musical series, narrative, may kwento po siya. Gagamitin lahat ng kanta ko, it’s all my songs and may mga sinulat din akong bago.”
He will also have his anniversary album, which will be launched on Spotify and on record. His iconic songs will be reimagined by some of the biggest musicians in the Philippines.
“Yung 20th anniversary album which is yung all star na ire-reimagine nila ang mga songs ko. Andoon sina Gary V., Regine (Velasquez), Moira, Yeng, SB19, Nina, Kyla, basta 20 plus track po siya.”
Manalo’s concert will be on October 15 at the Resorts World Manila.
