Flonique Guimary

OPM Hitmaker Jonathan Manalo weighs in on AI use in music and warns against displacement of real creatives

Article (news)

Alyana De Guzman

Push Team

<p>ABS-CBN Music’s Creative Director and songwriter-producer Jonathan “Mr. Music” Manalo has weighed in on one of the industry’s most pressing conversations today — the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in music. </p><p>In a Facebook post on March 28, Jonathan recognized both the potential and the pitfalls of AI as it continues to take place in creative spaces. </p><p>“AI isn’t the problem. It’s a tool. </p><p>&quot;And if existing IP laws are to be applied, ‘original’ but fully AI-generated works should automatically be considered public domain, not eligible for copyright or any IP claim protection, then that should already set clear boundaries,” he said. </p><p>READ: https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/music/2026/3/24/sb19-s-pablo-urges-protection-of-artists-rights-on-ai-use-in-the-music-industry-1324  </p><p>While acknowledging AI’s place in modern production, Jonathan did not hold back in calling out what he sees as a growing concern where individuals “with no proven background, no credentials” claim ownership over works that are clearly AI-generated which “even untrained ears can spot.”  </p><p>“That’s where the line gets crossed,” he maintained.  </p><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fweb.facebook.com%2Fjonathan.s.manalo%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0kkNBcTmfTwPXZ36Q97635oJZC5SBTMVb29tmPYJ5oGoeFVRerxhNseiXeKFmpgAml&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="250" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>For the OPM hitmaker, the issue goes beyond authorship, but also touches on fairness and the livelihood of artists who have spent years honing their craft. </p><p>“It becomes a serious issue of displacement of real creatives who have put in the years, the work, the craft. The ones who should be getting the opportunities, and the economic benefits that should rightfully go to real human creators.”  </p><p>Jonathan called out those whom he described as a “con artist,” “even charging for sync and other licenses on work” that is AI-generated, although he did not disclose who he was referring to.  </p><p>“Wow. ‘Tu devrais avoir honte.’ That’s Mahiya ka naman in French.😬” </p><p>With these concerns, he stressed the urgency for industry-wide measures. “The industry must contain this with clear rules, real accountability, and no room for con artists,” he said. </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-6" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DWRsT0wk8a1/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A6%2C%22os%22%3A2432162.6999998093%2C%22ls%22%3A125856.69999980927%2C%22le%22%3A126088%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="844" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-6" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;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="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>Jonathan’s perspective carries weight, shaped by more than two decades of experience and an extensive body of work that has helped define OPM.  </p><p>He is best known for producing and writing timeless hits such as “Tara Tena,” “Gusto Ko Nang Bumitaw,” “Pagbigyang Muli,” “Patuloy Ang Pangarap,” and “Pinoy Ako,” earning multi-platinum success and widespread recognition. </p><p>Among his more recent works are hit tracks for BINI, including “Lagi,” “Strings,” “Blooming,” and “Paru-paro,” further cementing his relevance in today’s evolving music landscape. </p><p>Over the years, he has crafted enduring songs for artists like Erik Santos, Kyla, Yeng Constantino, KZ Tandingan, Angeline Quinto, and more. He has also produced theme songs performed by icons such as Gary Valenciano, Regine Velasquez, and Sarah Geronimo, among many others.  </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-7" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DR_wUIvkhWH/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A7%2C%22os%22%3A2432704%2C%22ls%22%3A125856.69999980927%2C%22le%22%3A126088%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1035" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-7" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;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="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>Beyond recordings, his music has also found new life on stage. In early 2025, several of his iconic songs were featured in <em>Delia D: A Musical Featuring the Songs of Jonathan Manalo</em>, which ran from April to June at the Newport Performing Arts Theater. </p><p>His impact continues to resonate across platforms, with over 9.5 billion streams recorded on Muso, a music credit database, and more than 18 billion streams across various video platforms. As he prepares to celebrate his 25th anniversary in the music industry this year, his influence remains deeply embedded in the local music scene.</p>

<p>Renowned OPM hitmaker Jonathan Manalo calls Artificial Intelligence as a useful tool while warning against misuse that undermines real creatives.</p>

Renowned OPM hitmaker Jonathan Manalo calls Artificial Intelligence as a useful tool while warning against misuse that undermines real creatives.