Jonathan Manalo was initially nervous about musical featuring his songs

Jonathan Manalo (center) with the cast and creatives of 'Delia D.' ABS-CBN News MANILA -- A new original Filipino musical, "Delia D.," is set to dazzle audiences with a compelling mix of camp, comedy, and drama, while featuring the iconic music of songwriter-producer Jonathan Manalo. 

Premiering under NWR Musicals, the show will run from April 25 to June 8 and promises to deliver a powerful story about perseverance, family, and the pursuit of dreams.

During the press conference for "Delia D." on Thursday, Manalo — hailed as the most-streamed Filipino songwriter-producer with 8 billion streams — admitted he initially felt nervous about the idea of transforming his discography into a musical. 

“Sobrang kinabahan. That’s my first reaction. And nag-hesitate ako for a few minutes when it was first asked… I was celebrating my 20th year in the industry, and then I was approached, ‘Uy, gawin nating musical 'yung songs, the Jonathan Manalo discography.’ So sabi ko, nag-yes ako agad pero kinabahan ako,” he said. 

Despite his initial apprehensions, Manalo eventually embraced the project wholeheartedly. “Walang mangyayari kung hindi lalakasan ng loob. So I said, go, let’s do it! And then, that’s four years ago… Now, seeing it develop into this big spectacle, sobrang proud ako. Hindi ako nagsisi na nagsabi ako ng ‘yes’ sa NWR Musicals to create this 'Delia D.' musical.”

Manalo, known for his hit songs and chart-topping compositions, shared his thoughts on what makes a song truly resonate with listeners. 

“I think, yung pinaka-secret weapon ko that we all have — lahat tayo may unique life stories. Kung magagawa niyong maisulat 'yan sa isang kanta, okay na, step one na 'yun to creating that future hit,” he said. 

With over 8 billion streams across multiple platforms, Manalo remains grateful for his career’s trajectory. 

“When I was writing these songs, hindi ko iniisip na kailangan ko maabot itong number of streams. I just stayed true and faithful to the craft that I was given… Talagang gawin mo lang 'yung dapat mong gawin. And kapag pinagbuti mo 'yun, the rest shall follow.”

At its core, "Delia D." follows the journey of Delia, a fierce and talented drag performer with a heart full of dreams. While she stuns audiences with jaw-dropping lip syncs and spot-on impersonations, she yearns for something greater — becoming a world-famous singer like the icons she admires.

Bringing Delia to life on stage is award-winning actor Phi Palmos, who admitted feeling immense pressure upon being cast in the lead role. 

“From the time it was offered to me, 'yun po unang pressure. The role was offered to me, I didn’t audition. So 'yun, pressure siya kaagad because I was having doubts — mag-40 na po ako. I know I don’t look like my age, pero iniisip ko, ‘Late in my career, kaya ko pa ba? Drag queen pa! Eh, fan ako ng drag queens!’”

Despite his initial doubts, Palmos recognized the opportunity to be part of something bigger than himself — an authentic representation of the LGBTQIA+ community in mainstream theater. 

“This is really big. Gusto ko, 'pag may nakapanood na maliit na batang bakla sa audience, sasabihin niya, ‘Hindi ko na aasamin na maging Kim sa 'Miss Saigon'… kasi ngayon, ang dream role ko, Delia D.”