ABS-CBN Music creative director Jonathan Manalo was recognized by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) as one of the awardees of its first-ever SUDI Awards, which seeks to honor the most outstanding musical achievements in the Philippines in the past two decades.

“My utmost gratitude and sincerest thanks to the NCCA and everyone in the selection committee led by our beloved National Artist for Music, Maestro Ryan Cayabyab,” Jonathan said in a Facebook post. “It is my greatest honor to belong in this highly esteemed group of awardees.”

The national music award “aims to recognize outstanding contributions of Filipino musical works, creators, institutions, and researchers across genres and modes of productions with the highest standard and artistic excellence.” ‘Sudi’ is an Ilokano adjective that means ‘illustrious renowned’, ‘celebrated’, or ‘famous’.

Jonathan was honored for the 2010-2020 decade alongside Acapellago, the Ateneo Chamber Singers, Ebe Dancel, Gerard Salonga, Gloc-9, Noel Cabangon, Rak of Aegis, the Philippine Madrigal Singers, and The 70’s Bistro Bar.

A prolific and multi-awarded songwriter, composer, arranger, and record producer, Jonathan first emerged in the local music scene when he won 2001’s “JAM: Himig Handog sa Makabagong Kabataan” for the now-iconic song “Tara Tena.”

Since then, he has produced and commercially released over 200 albums with 75 multi-platinum and 100 gold Philippine Association of the Record Industry (PARI) certifications with notable pop hits such as “Pinoy Big Brother’s” emblematic theme song “Pinoy Ako,” Gary Valenciano’s “Ililigtas Ka Niya,” Aiza Seguerra’s “Para Lang Sa ‘Yo,” Piolo Pascual and Sarah Geronimo’s “Paano Ba Ang Magmahal,” and Angeline Quinto’s “Patuloy Ang Pangarap.”

He is also the creative mind behind the key albums and full discographies of some of the country’s respected music artists like Erik Santos, Kyla, Charice, Piolo Pascual, Juris, Toni Gonzaga, Jed Madela, KZ Tandingan, Inigo Pascual, Yeng Constantino, and Moira Dela Torre.

The SUDI Awards will hold an awarding ceremony for the honorees this 2021 that will be streamed across the NCCA’s social media platforms.