Jonathan Manalo

Jonathan Suarez Manalo (born November 26, 1978) is a Filipino songwriter and record producer. He is currently the creative director of ABS-CBN Music, having composed numerous compositions for ABS-CBN programs. His compositions for various artists have earned him 75 multi-platinum and 100 gold certifications At age 13, he finished his first full composition entitled Aming Panginoon (Our Lord). This song was chosen as one of the ten finalists in a songfest and was included in the compilation album Ikapitong Salmo (The Seventh Psalm). He was also mentored by Jungee Marcelo, a gospel songwriter who competed in songwriting festivals.

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. 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.

In 2003, he entered and won third prize at the 7th Metropop Song Festival with "Buti Na Lang". He remained in this position until 2019, when he was promoted to creative director.

In 2016, Manalo celebrated his 15th anniversary of composing with a concert titled KINSE: The Music of Jonathan Manalo. It was held on December 3 at the Music Museum.

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.

'Kwento ng Alon' and 'Lyric and Beat' In 2022, Manalo celebrated his 20th anniversary as a mainstream composer. 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.

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.

In 2025, Manalo became a Grammy voting member. and his faith influences his music views.

Awards and recognitions In 2018, Manalo broke his own record at the Awit Awards with 21 nominations for both his songwriting and record producing.

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.

Discography

Compilation albums

2008 – Love Life (Life Songs and Life Stories) 2017 – JM 15 (Jonathan Manalo Hits) 2022 –The Music of Jonathan Manalo 20 Years

Soundtrack albums

Click, Like, Share (Original Soundtrack) EP (2021) Marry Me, Marry You (Original Soundtrack) EP (2021) Viral Scandal (Original Soundtrack) (2021) Love Is Color Blind (Original Soundtrack) (2021) The Themes of the Broken Marriage Vow (2022) Bola Bola (Original Soundtrack) (2022) He's into Her Season 2 (Original Soundtrack) (2022) Love In 40 Days (Official Soundtrack) EP (2022) Lyric and Beat, Vol. 1 (2022) Lyric and Beat, Vol. 2 (2022) Lyric and Beat, Vol. 3 (2022) Lyric and Beat, Vol. 4 (2022) Run to Me (Official Soundtrack) EP (2022) What's Wrong With Secretary Kim (Original Soundtrack) (2024) It's Okay Not to Be Okay (2025)

Singles TitleYearAlbumRef."Pinakamahal Kong Bayan"2020 "Pinoy Tayo" (with Rico Blanco)2021 "Leni Laban!" (with various artists)2022 "Sa Isang Pangarap" (with Andrea Brillantes)Lyric and Beat, Vol. 1 "Hindi Kita Iiwan" (with Seth Fedelin) "Pagbigyang Muli" (with Darren Espanto)Lyric and Beat, Vol. 2 "Must be Going Crazy" (with Jeremy G) "Free Fall Into Love" (with AC Bonifacio) "May Kasama Ka" (with Nyoy Valante)Lyric and Beat, Vol. 3 "It's Okay Not to Be Okay" (with Kyle Ecchari) "My Destiny" (with Sheena Bellarmino)Lyric and Beat, Vol. 4 "May Pag-asa Ba?" (with Angela Ken & Jeremy G) "Let it Loose" (with Kyle Ecchari) "Nais" (with Ben&Ben)2024 "Hesus Aming Hari" (with various artists)