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.)
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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