Now it can be told. Prolific songwriter Jonathan Manalo initially did not want to celebrate his 20th anniversary in showbiz.

“Two years ago, bago nagkaroon ng pandemic, bago nag-shutdown ang ABS-CBN, sabi ko sa sarili ko, hindi ako magse-celebrate ng 20th anniversary kasi nag-celebrate naman ako ng 15th anniversary. Malaki rin ‘yung ginawa kong celebration noong 15th anniversary ko so sabi ko hindi ako magse-celebrate ng 20th,” Manalo said in an interview last Friday, July 15.

(Two years ago, before the pandemic, before ABS-CBN was shut down, I told myself I will not celebrate my 20th anniversary because I already celebrated my 15th anniversary. My 15th anniversary celebration was big so I said I won’t celebrate my 20th.)

But it was fated for Manalo to make a grand celebration for his 20th year of existence in the industry, starting with an eight-part series, “Lyric & Beat,” starring Andrea Brillantes, Seth Fedelin, Kyle Echarri, Darren Espanto, AC Bonifacio, Nyoy Volante, Agot Isidro, Joanna Ampil, Sheena Belarmino, Jeremy Glinoga and Angela Ken.

“Noong nag-announce ako ng 20th anniversary ko, sinelebrate sa ‘ASAP.’ The week after, nag-set ng meeting si sir Deo (Endrinal) and said, ‘Ito ‘yung gagawing series.’ Nangyari ito nang hindi ko siya plinano. Kusa siyang dumating,” he shared.

(When I announced my 20th anniversary, it was celebrated in “ASAP.” The week after, sir Deo (Endrinal) set a meeting and said, “This is the new series to be made.” It happened when I did not plan it. It just came.)

jonathan manalo ig — Image: Instagram/@jonathanmanalo

With that, Manalo is forever grateful to the network.

“Hindi matatapos ‘yung feeling of gratitude. Nakakatuwa lang na it all happened during my celebration of 20th anniversary. Sabay-sabay, ang daming nangyayari. Nagkaroon pa ng musical ang Dreamscape where all of my songs are featured in an eight-part series,” he noted.

(The feeling of gratitude will not end. It is heartwarming that it all happened during my 20th anniversary. It all came simultaneously, a lot of things happened. Dreamscape even had a musical where all of my songs are featured in an eight-part series.) JB

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