EXCLUSIVE: Jonathan Manalo is excited about 'Delia D.' musical: ‘Sobra akong na-proud!’
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EXCLUSIVE: Jonathan Manalo is excited about 'Delia D.' musical: ‘Sobra akong na-proud!’
Rhea Manila Santos,
Push Team
Published Apr 24, 2025 06:19 PM PHT
Jonathan Manalo has been hailed as the most-streamed Filipino songwriter-producer with 8 billion streams to his name this year. This was why he could not contain his excitement for the upcoming NWR Musical Delia D., which will feature his well-loved songs and new compositions.
Jonathan Manalo has been hailed as the most-streamed Filipino songwriter-producer with 8 billion streams to his name this year. This was why he could not contain his excitement for the upcoming NWR Musical Delia D., which will feature his well-loved songs and new compositions.
The musical follows the story of a drag queen named Delia, who joins the country’s biggest televised singing competition called Idols of the Galaxy to pursue her dream of being a world-famous singer while facing the challenges she encounters through her journey as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community.
The musical follows the story of a drag queen named Delia, who joins the country’s biggest televised singing competition called Idols of the Galaxy to pursue her dream of being a world-famous singer while facing the challenges she encounters through her journey as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community.
“Kakapanuod ko lang nung isa sa mga technical run throughs and sobra akong na-proud. Maganda yung musical. I can confidently say na hindi kayo magsisisi kapag pinanuod niyo. So please get your tickets na. 40+ of my compositions will be part of it plus 10 new songs na woven in this musical. Kaya sobrang saya,” he told PUSH ABS-CBN in an exclusive interview.
“Kakapanuod ko lang nung isa sa mga technical run throughs and sobra akong na-proud. Maganda yung musical. I can confidently say na hindi kayo magsisisi kapag pinanuod niyo. So please get your tickets na. 40+ of my compositions will be part of it plus 10 new songs na woven in this musical. Kaya sobrang saya,” he told PUSH ABS-CBN in an exclusive interview.
With all the songs he has produced in his more than two-decade long career, Jonathan revealed how he keeps himself from experiencing burnout.
With all the songs he has produced in his more than two-decade long career, Jonathan revealed how he keeps himself from experiencing burnout.
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“Hindi dapat nawawala yung fire eh. And you cannot invent that fire. It should exist. Thankful ako that yung fire (ko) has always been burning and yung desire to create and create and create nandun lang. Tulog lang pag na-stress at napagod. Pagkagising, the fire has always been there.
“Hindi dapat nawawala yung fire eh. And you cannot invent that fire. It should exist. Thankful ako that yung fire (ko) has always been burning and yung desire to create and create and create nandun lang. Tulog lang pag na-stress at napagod. Pagkagising, the fire has always been there.
"At saka working with many people, ang dami kong nakakatrabaho, halos lahat, that fact alone fires me up to do more. Kasi ang sarap makipagtrabaho when it comes to music with so many people. Kaya ako, sabi ko sa pag katrabaho ko sa lahat, meron akong matututunan,” he explained.
"At saka working with many people, ang dami kong nakakatrabaho, halos lahat, that fact alone fires me up to do more. Kasi ang sarap makipagtrabaho when it comes to music with so many people. Kaya ako, sabi ko sa pag katrabaho ko sa lahat, meron akong matututunan,” he explained.
Juggling his duties as the creative director of ABS-CBN Music, music producer, songwriter, and mentor to numerous artists, Jonathan said he still makes sure to prioritize his health by always getting enough rest.
Juggling his duties as the creative director of ABS-CBN Music, music producer, songwriter, and mentor to numerous artists, Jonathan said he still makes sure to prioritize his health by always getting enough rest.
“Pag tulog talaga, nagpapatay ako ng phone. Kailangan meron akong seven to eight hours na tulog. Kapag umaga, hindi mo talaga ako ma-ko-contact kasi I’m sleeping (laughs). So nakakatulog naman ako. Pero sanay ako ng puyat,” he added.
“Pag tulog talaga, nagpapatay ako ng phone. Kailangan meron akong seven to eight hours na tulog. Kapag umaga, hindi mo talaga ako ma-ko-contact kasi I’m sleeping (laughs). So nakakatulog naman ako. Pero sanay ako ng puyat,” he added.
For those aspiring to achieve his level of success in the industry, Jonathan shared these tips.
For those aspiring to achieve his level of success in the industry, Jonathan shared these tips.
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“I would advise sa mga young singers and songwriters, artists and performers, just keep doing what you’re doing. Kasi nothing beats practice. Practice makes perfect and hindi ka naman kagad magiging instant na expert or magaling in your field kapag hindi mo siya ipa-practice. So keep on writing, keep on singing, keep on perfecting your craft, and then you’ll get to a point na sobrang excellent na lahat ng ginagawa mo.”
“I would advise sa mga young singers and songwriters, artists and performers, just keep doing what you’re doing. Kasi nothing beats practice. Practice makes perfect and hindi ka naman kagad magiging instant na expert or magaling in your field kapag hindi mo siya ipa-practice. So keep on writing, keep on singing, keep on perfecting your craft, and then you’ll get to a point na sobrang excellent na lahat ng ginagawa mo.”
Catch Delia D.: A Musical Featuring the Songs of Jonathan Manalo which will begin its run from April 25 to June 8 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater. Phi Palmos will be playing the title role of Delia, with Shaira Opsimar as Kiki and Floyd Tena as Sir T. The supporting cast includes Tex Ordoñez-de Leon, Omar Uddin, Sweet Lapus, Joann Yap Co, Joshua Cabiladas, Mimi Marquez, Rapah Manalo, Miah Canton, Alfritz Blanche, Natasha Cabrera, and Chaye Mogg.
Catch Delia D.: A Musical Featuring the Songs of Jonathan Manalo which will begin its run from April 25 to June 8 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater. Phi Palmos will be playing the title role of Delia, with Shaira Opsimar as Kiki and Floyd Tena as Sir T. The supporting cast includes Tex Ordoñez-de Leon, Omar Uddin, Sweet Lapus, Joann Yap Co, Joshua Cabiladas, Mimi Marquez, Rapah Manalo, Miah Canton, Alfritz Blanche, Natasha Cabrera, and Chaye Mogg.
Tickets are now available via TicketWorld, HelixPay, and the Newport World Resorts Box Office.
Tickets are now available via TicketWorld, HelixPay, and the Newport World Resorts Box Office.
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