Jonathan Manalo: A certified recording top seller

MANILA, Philippines - In this day and age when scoring hit singles and selling albums proved to be no longer a walk in the park, songwriter-producer Jonathan Manalo has every reason to be fulfilled in his decorated career run. Besides, he is local recording scene’s certified top seller at the moment, with eight of the 10 best-selling albums of 2012 crafted under his production.

The major accomplishment is a testament to his proven skill both as record producer and tunesmith, providing his mother label Star Records a rich catalogue of great hits coming from someone whose streak began after winning in Himig Handog. He has long dedicated his time and expertise to the record company that molded and trusted his capability as a young man who can deliver the goods. The latter couldn’t be more proud of his feat.

“Siguro po ang mga blessing sa career ko would have been impossible if wala akong mentality na ‘hindi pwede ang pwede na yan.’ Having built that reputation helped me grow as an artist behind the scenes,” shares the prolific melody maker.

Last year was a smash for Jonathan as he saw his work dominate the best-selling album chart, with 80 percent of those in the Top 10 he produced. Included in the magic eight are Angeline Quinto’s two well-followed albums, as well as two volumes of Walang Hanggan soundtrack. He is actually the songwriter behind Angeline’s super hit Patuloy Ang Pangarap, a track that sealed the singer’s fate as deserving heiress of Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez. 

Of course, everybody has seen the phenomenal Walang Hanggan series. There’s no better way to give it its soundtrack but by tapping the services of an effective producer who already produced more than 100 albums and penned around 150 songs.

Both Awit Awards and Star Awards for Music have been recognizing Jonathan’s work and in their latest editions such emphasis was given. He took home five awards as producer for various recordings including Best Ballad of the Year for the Sam Milby song he wrote and produced titled Hindi Kita Iiwan.

Star Awards, on the other hand, handed him six awards for albums and songs he created for different artists, including Album of the Year for his effort on Aiza Seguerra’s Songs From The Vault. 

Jonathan expresses, “Songs come to me everywhere I am, sa gym, sa kuwarto, habang kumakain o habang naliligo. I just keep on writing and producing kasi hindi ko alam kung saan ako dadalhin ng music. That’s the exciting part, when you just let it lead you.” 

Apparently, his mindset, hard work and humility have taken him to a spot only the finest of music-makers can get to.