For those who have found themselves belting out a birit song or shedding tears over a heart-wrenching teleserye scene, there is a good chance Jonathan Manalo’s music was the soundtrack to that moment. Manalo—fittingly called “Mr. Music” for being a multi-awarded songwriter, composer, arranger, and record producer—is the mastermind behind some of the biggest hits in Philippine music.
Now, his songs are set for a bold and spectacular reinvention in Delia D.: A Musical Featuring the Songs of Jonathan Manalo. Take a look at some of his greatest hits that may—or may not—appear in the new musical.
Gusto Ko Nang Bumitaw
Sometimes, the songs that end up becoming a pop culture phenomenon need not be meticulously engineered—they just have to hit listeners in the right place at the right time. The emotionally cathartic song “Gusto Ko Nang Bumitaw” is exactly just that. Manalo originally penned the song for Sheryn Regis’ 2022 comeback album with ABS-CBN Star Music to showcase her powerful vocal range with a birit-heavy, universally relatable track. Its impact grew even stronger when Asia’s Phoenix, Morissette, reinterpreted it for the hit series The Broken Marriage Vow, cementing its icon status in OPM.
Pinoy Ako
Nearly 20 years ago, Pinoy Big Brother first opened the doors to his house with this iconic opening theme. “Pinoy Ako,” co-written by Manalo, blasted through Bahay ni Kuya like an alarm clock, with its catchy tunes jolting housemates out of sleep. Outside the famous yellow house, the song became both a dance craze and a badge of Filipino resiliency and individuality.
Patuloy Ang Pangarap
Back in 2011, Angeline Quinto won the grand prize in ABS-CBN’s 2011 reality singing contest Star Power, and her life has never been the same since. The song that paved her path to stardom, “Patuloy ang Pangarap”, is written by Manalo, inspired by her story as a contestant chasing her dreams. In October 2011, “Patuloy ang Pangarap” earned the prestigious title of ‘Song of the Year’ at the PMPC Music Awards, while Quinto clinched New Female Recording Artist of the Year. As its popularity soared, the song became a fixture on television, serving as the theme for Maria La del Barrio in 2011 and May Isang Pangarap in 2013.
Kabataang Pinoy
For anyone who has ever tuned in to Pinoy Big Brother’s Teen Edition, the song “Kabataang Pinoy” is impossible to forget. Co-written and composed by Manalo and performed by The Itchyworms, this upbeat, infectious anthem has been the perfect track to the journey of every teen contestant since 2006. Recently, P-pop mega groups SB19 and BINI have come together for a historic collaboration as they give their spin on the iconic theme song.
Paano Ba Ang Magmahal
When “Paano Ba Ang Magmahal” first came out in 2012, no one could have predicted just how big it would get. Written by the talented Yeng Constantino and Manalo, the song was originally recorded by Liezel Garcia and Erik Santos, who infused the ballad with raw emotion. In 2015, the song found new life when Piolo Pascual and Sarah Geronimo re-recorded it for The Breakup Playlist soundtrack, with their undeniable chemistry elevating the ballad and contributing to the film’s instant success.
The music of Delia D.: A Musical Featuring the Songs of Jonathan Manalo
Audiences are about to find out which of these tracks will be featured in the next major theatrical production from Newport World Resorts’ production outfit Full House Theater Company. One thing is certain—Manalo’s songs will continue to captivate audiences, no matter which songs take center stage.
Delia D.: A Musical Featuring the Songs of Jonathan Manalo runs from April 25 to June 8 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater. It is a production that blends camp, comedy, and drama while highlighting the values of perseverance, family bonds, and the pursuit of one’s passions. Anyone who has pursued a dream will see themselves in Delia, a magnetic drag performer with a heart full of dreams and the determination to make it big, despite the unique challenges she faces.
Leading the cast is Phi Palmos in the titular role, with Shaira Opsimar and Floyd Tena taking on secondary roles. Supporting cast members are 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.
General public ticket sale of Delia D.: A Musical Featuring the Songs of Jonathan Manalo starts on February 17 at TicketWorld, HelixPay, and Newport World Resorts Box Office: PHP 3,500 (SVIP), PHP 3,000 (VIP), PHP 2,500 (GOLD), PHP 1,800 (SILVER), and PHP 1,000 (BRONZE). For inquiries, contact Customer Care at 7908-8888 or 0917-872-8237 or email info@fhtcentertainment.com. For bulk purchases and show buyers, reach out to the Newport World Resorts National Sales Team via James Rodriguez at 0917 829 2173 or Jan Paulo San Jose at 0917 810 5031.
For more information on ‘Delia D.: A Musical Featuring the Songs of Jonathan Manalo’, visit www.newportworldresorts.com and follow @newportworldresorts and @nwr.musicals on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Join Newport World Resorts Viber Community at https://newportwr.com/nwrvibercommunity for exclusive updates. Every visit is made more rewarding with an Epic Rewards membership, download the Epic Rewards Mobile App for free at the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
