Flonique Guimary

Jonathan Manalo confident Filipino music will shine on Eurovision Asia stage

Article (news)

Nikka Avegail Sabio

Push Team

<p>ABS-CBN Music creatives, content, and operations head Jonathan Manalo is confident that the Philippines has what it takes to make a strong impression on the global stage as the country prepares to choose its representative for the Eurovision Song Contest Asia 2026.</p><div> </div><p>Speaking during the press conference for the Eurovision Asia Philippines Selection Night <em>Pili, Pinas</em>, Jonathan expressed excitement over the opportunity to showcase Filipino music and artistry to an international audience.</p><div> </div><p>“Ako confidently, putting our best foot forward, alam natin na magiging malakas ang laban ng Pilipinas dahil magaling tayo sa musika. I hope na yung energy na yun — yung music talents na mayroon tayong mga Filipino — madala natin sa global stage. Pag-pray natin yan kasi kaya natin,” Jonathan said.</p><div><br/></div><script async="" src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1787903127408IMG_4176.JPG" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div><strong> </strong></div><p>He also highlighted what he considers one of the Philippines’ biggest advantages: “Super advantage kasi kung ano yung naririnig ninyo sa studio, we can translate it or even top it or even better it sa live. Ganoon kagagaling. And I think very unique iyon to Filipinos. Talagang totoo yung sinasabi nila na all Filipinos can sing. It&#x27;s not an overstatement, and mapapakita natin yan sa buong mundo.”</p><div> </div><p>For Jonathan, the natural talent of Filipinos when it comes to music and live performance is something the country can demonstrate on the Eurovision stage happening on November 14 in Bangkok, Thailand.</p><div> </div><p>“The natural talent that Filipinos have for music, kasi authentic tayo doon, it’s inherent, natural. Kapag nakita nila kung gaano yung naturalesa ng Pinoy pagdating sa talento sa music. Hindi natin kailangang ipilit, hindi natin kailangang i-overproduce. You just see it lalo na kapag nag-perform yung mga artist at ininterpret itong beautiful songs na kinompose ng ating mga composers doon in full display. Talagang masho-showcase natin,” he stated.</p><div> </div><p>He went on: “What a great opportunity for us to showcase yung galing ng Filipino talent, and confidently, alam ko buong Pilipinas magchi-cheer para sa mga artist natin, talents natin. And yun ang ipapakita natin sa buong mundo.”</p><div> </div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-25" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DcI_Q2Nif0t/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=642&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A25%2C%22os%22%3A18315138%2C%22ls%22%3A118127.59999990463%2C%22le%22%3A118138.79999995232%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="588" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-25" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:658px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><strong> </strong></div><p>The Philippines will choose its Eurovision Asia representative from 10 entries, bringing together established and emerging Filipino composers and performers.</p><div> </div><p>Among the entries are “Between Bituin,” penned by Jungee Marcelo and performed by DNA; “Broken Beyond Repair,” written by Angelo Gonzales and interpreted by SAGA; and “Cheri(e),” composed by Nar Cabico, who also performs the song alongside Elha Nympha, Esang de Torres, and Lance Reblando.</p><div> </div><p>Also competing are “Di ’Yan (Red Flag),” written and composed by Jason Marvin Hernandez and performed by Jason Dy and Sassa Dagdag; “Good For You,” written by Hazel Faith and interpreted by Ryssi Avila; and “Make It Exist,” composed by Angelo Calucin and performed by AJAA.</p><div> </div><p>Completing the lineup are “Mapadama,” composed by Jungee Marcelo and Jeremy Glinoga and sung by JM dela Cerna and Marielle Montellano; “Reason to Leave,” written by Stephen Tan and interpreted by KHIMO; “Round N’ Round,” composed by Julius James de Belen and John Michael Conchada and performed by Vvink and WRIVE Russu; and “Sobra-Sobra,” penned by Nica del Rosario and Mat Olavides and performed by Carmelle.</p><div> </div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-22" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DcIFilNp0GU/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=642&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A22%2C%22os%22%3A18260865.399999857%2C%22ls%22%3A118127.59999990463%2C%22le%22%3A118138.79999995232%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="920" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-22" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:658px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><strong> </strong></div><p>With the entries coming from different musical backgrounds, Jonathan said the selection reflects the wide range of Filipino artistry.</p><div> </div><p>“Ang process natin dito sa Eurovision Philippines and other Eurovision countries is we engage all of the best of the best,” he explained. “Nakita talaga kung gaano kagaling at gaano ka-varied ang mga Pilipino, ang Filipino composers and artists also pagdating sa music. Kumbaga 10 songs pa lang yung napakinggan ninyo pero nakita niyo na kung gaano tayo kaiba-iba and gaano kagaling ang mg Filipino pagdating sa musika.”</p><div> </div><p>While the team studied previous Eurovision winners and competitors to understand the competition’s sound and identity, he stressed that the goal was never to simply replicate what had already worked for other countries.</p><div> </div><p>“Ang pinakaimportante dito hindi natin gagayahin. We’ll put our own Filipino flavor, our twist into it. Yes, we are guided kung ano yung naging distinct flavor na mayroon ang Eurovision. Pero lalagyan natin ng sarili nating flavor. Ano ba yung interpretation natin nun as Filipino musicians, as Filipino music makers,” he continued.</p><div> </div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-23" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DcBDGY-TMPL/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=642&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A23%2C%22os%22%3A18261911.599999905%2C%22ls%22%3A118127.59999990463%2C%22le%22%3A118138.79999995232%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="528" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-23" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:658px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><strong> </strong></div><p>Catch <em>Pili, Pinas!</em> Philippine Selection Night this August 30, Sunday, 9:45 PM on iWant, ABS-CBN ON ALLTV2, A2Z, Kapamilya Channel, and Kapamilya Online Live. Also available via TFC with a delayed telecast on MYX.</p>

<p><b>Jonathan Manalo is excited to showcase Filipino talent and music globally through the PH official entry on the Eurovision Song Contest Asia 2026.</b></p>

Jonathan Manalo is excited to showcase Filipino talent and music globally through the PH official entry on the Eurovision Song Contest Asia 2026.