Prolific songwriter Jonathan Manalo is ecstatic over the outcome of “Lyric and Beat” as he believes his catalogue of songs perfectly fits the musical’s requirements.

“Hanggang ngayon, sa totoo lang, hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na nangyari ito kasi sobrang quality noong naging output. Nakaka-proud na lahat ng elements were perfectly woven together,” Manalo said during the face-to-face grand mediacon for the musical last July 19.

(Until now, honestly, I still cannot believe that this has happened because the output is extremely of good quality. I am so proud that all the elements were perfectly woven together.)

Manalo marveled at the powerhouse cast composed of Andrea Brillantes, Seth Fedelin, Kyle Echarri, Darren Espanto, AC Bonifacio, Sheena Belarmino, Jeremy G and Angela Ken.

“Ang galing umarte, ang gagaling kumanta, ang gagaling mag-perform. Ang ganda ng story ni direk Dolly (Dulu). Sabi ko nga, ‘yung mga songs ko have been there. It’s been twenty years worth of songs,” Manalo said. “Pero ‘yung 20 years worth of songs ko, song vault lang iyon. Hindi ko masasabi na it’s a musical without the story of direk Dolly.”

(They were very good at acting, singing and in performing. The story by director Dolly Dulu is great. As I said, my songs have been there. It has been 20 years worth of songs, but that 20 years worth of songs is only a song vault. I cannot say they make up a musical without the story of director Dolly.)

Manalo also believes it has been fated that he and Dulu crossed paths since the musical was born effortlessly.

“Noong nag-usap kami ni direk Dolly, sabi niya, ‘kailangan ko ng ganitong song.’ Ay, meron,” Manalo recalled. “Kahit ‘yung specific scenes, ‘yung malalim na back story ng parents nila, meron din pala akong nagawang kantang parang ganoon. Grabe, super nag-shoot lahat.”

(When I talked with director Dolly, he said, “I need a song like this.” “Oh, I have that.” Even for specific scenes, like the deep back story of their parents, I have written a song that was like that. Wow, it all fell into place.)

“Lyric and Beat” will start streaming on iWantTFC on Aug. 10. JB

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