In 2001, a young composer named Jonathan Manalo burst onto the OPM scene when his uplifting anthem Tara Tena won the top prize at the biggest multimedia Filipino songwriting competition, Himig Handog sa Makabagong Kabataan. "Parang kahapon lang when I won the grand prize winning song Tara Tena at the Himig Handog sa Makabagong Kabataan back in 2001. 'Yung Tara Tena hearing it today is still feels so fresh, youthful, and vibrant. I'm just so grateful na hindi nawala yung energy niya when I first wrote it more than 20 years ago," Manalo shares.
What started as a moment of recognition quickly evolved into a prolific, award-studded career. Over the next two decades, Manalo produced and composed a wealth of beloved hits that helped define the modern OPM sound. His name is behind Dyosa by Yumi Lacsamana, every high school kid's favorite in the 2000s; the go-to heartbreak anthem Di Ko Kayang Limutin sung by Kyla; and Patuloy Ang Pangarap, made popular by Angeline Quinto and later covered by Gigi de Lana.
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