MANILA, Philippines – Most famous artists in the local recording scene have one thing in common: They have the hits to boasts.
Successful songwriting propels performers to the top. With Side A, it turned the group into the “Toto of the Philippines,” with its famed power ballads keeping the band in action to this day regardless of the singer on board. In Jonathan Manalo’s case, it made him into a respected figure in the mainstream circle, as proven with the recent tribute concert for his 15 years of solid success as a songwriter and producer.
The STAR recently witnessed that the loss of Joey Generoso in the lead vocalist spot did not make the band irrelevant. In fact, no one in the packed Chaos Night Club in the City of Dreams Manila seemed to care that it’s no longer Joey singing when the band performed early on a November Wednesday. Just hearing those famous songs played live obviously made their night complete, though in fairness with current vocalist Yubs Esperat, he does a job well done on stage with his voice sounding confident going through melodies easily identified with Joey’s.
“We’re still doing it because the crowd is still there. They keep coming back,” said Naldy Gonzalez, Side A keyboardist and ultimate mainstay having been in the group since 1985.
He then wittily noted, referring to the fact that they actually lost two Joeys, “Mas kinabahan pa kami nang mawala yung other Joey kasi we lost a gifted songwriter.”
Naldy’s referring to Joey Benin whose best contribution to the band was coming out with Forevermore at a time when they needed a hit song to keep them afloat.
The writing and bass playing Joey left some years ago and was replaced by Ned Esguerra who as if by cue became the group’s main tunesmith. His piece Die Just A Little released with Joey G. still with the band is a sample that he got the Side A formula right.
The band is coming out with a digital single called Wish That You Were Here. For them releasing the new song is a way of “coping with the change.” Yet the bottom line is the attempt to score a new hit song.
It’s also great songwriting that makes Wednesday nights at Chaos a tribute to Original Pilipino Music (OPM). Side A played back-to-back with Freestyle last Nov. 9 and with True Faith last Nov. 30. All three bands have remained in the gig scene, thanks to their multitude of hit songs.
“Side A is the sum of all parts and not about personalities,” added Naldy. “For people to come and spend their time and money watching us is proof that good songwriting, coupled with carefully orchestrated performances, is a key to longevity.”
Credit goes to the band for rendering well its versions of Tell Me and Tuloy Pa Rin. But one can’t deny the beauty of both songs barebones that it’s hard to go wrong with them.
Strong songwriting output, too, has made Jonathan into a star on his own even if he’s technically just behind the scenes all the time.
He’s behind Angeline Quinto’s Patuloy Ang Pangarap; Kyla’s Tara Tena which won in 2001 Himig Handog, and Pinoy Ako, the original theme to Pinoy Big Brother which he created with Orange & Lemons. The songs meant to him much that he singled them out when asked to pick his baby songs.
He’s done more than that definitely and the gathering of stars paying him tribute is a testament to his heavy loaded arsenal of achievements. “I want to give back all the credit to the Lord,” he said. “The fact they all confirmed to come to a show put up for me is just Him making it happen.”
When he said they he’s referring to a stellar line-up that includes Gary Valenciano, Lani Misalucha, Vice Ganda, Sam Milby, Juris, Yeng Constantino, Kyla, KZ, Jona, among others.
The Cornerstone Concerts and Star Events show which took place at the Music Museum last Dec. 3 was titled Kinse: The Music of Jonathan Manalo. That music means popular, consistent, relevant and enduring. A veteran scribe uttered that he believes songs Jonathan writes are inspiring that you get a dosage of positive feelings listening to them.
That Jonathan has long been affiliated with ABS-CBN and Star Music ensured that he’s within arm’s length to some of the biggest singing stars in the land. Yet, without his professionalism and no-nonsense skill as producer and melody maker, he wouldn’t have survived the pressure of being around the finest. He endured and he’s got 15 years to celebrate.
“My songs are inspiration-driven,” he said. “The Lord didn’t give me much personal pain and I turned that into an advantage. Nung bata ako, I would write songs every night before sleeping.”
Jonathan got the talent. But equally important for him is valuing relationship with people he works with. “Dapat laging may respect sa iba. Hindi lang kasi ikaw ang magaling,” he said.
Well, that’s humility. In the field of songwriting, humility is good melody.