Jonathan Manalo and Kristine S Lim on Celebrating God-Given Gifts of Music and Art

Just like how Manalo has always dreamed of having his songs interpreted visually, Lim also always had creative inspirations when listening to music. When she used to work for Pulp and Warner Music, she would be watching concerts and gigs and would have the desire to interpret the songs based on her "daydreams".

"Working with Jonathan was smooth sailing and I believe it's also because we are on the same boat—we both wanted to glorify God with our talents. I am comfortable enough to share my view and my faith with Jonathan so maybe that made the project work. Also, we are just truly grateful to the many people who helped us and will help us, to make this possible," Kristine shares.

For the last six months prior to their opening ceremony last September at the Cultural Centre of the Philippines, Lim was tirelessly creating paintings of mixed media out of Manalo's 20 songs. "Jonathan's songs usually have two elements: patriotic tones in pursuit of upholding Filipino culture as well as values manifested by a person who has steadfast faith," she describes.

"Jonathan's music is very diverse and brings me to different worlds. Through the colours and movements of the elements in the painting, I wanted the people to feel the emotions of the songs. These songs and paintings are reflections of the stories of the Filipino people and we hope that through these stories, we can spark hope in people all around the world," Lim shares.

Achieving both critical and commercial success, Manalo's songs that were interpreted by Lim were "Tara Tena", "Pinoy Tayo", "Raise Your Flag", "Sikat ang Pinoy", "Ililigtas Ka Niya", "Beautiful Days", "Unbreakable", "Pagbigyang Muli", "Hanggang sa Huli", "Paano Ba Ang Magmahal", "Till the End of Time", "Para Lang Sa 'Yo", "Patuloy ang Pangarap", "Unlove You", "Nasa Puso", "Hardin", "Boom Panes", It's OK Not to Be OK", and also two newly written songs by Manalo "Heal" and "Kuwento ng Alon".

Ostensibly veering from being straightforward, the paintings played with colours and movements that leave audiences to their own interpretation of how particular songs of Manalo connect to Lim's paintings.

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"The paintings that have portraits of the songs' respective singers are not just mere portraits—they have feelings. If this song is known for being a sad song, you would really feel the sorrow and grief of heartbreak," Manalo shares. "If the song is patriotic or talks about healing, you would feel the song's message but would not see representational figures that will give it away," he adds.

Manalo's straightforwardness in writing songs and Lim's abstract style blended well with the exhibition's theme song "Kuwento ng Alon", which was a product of collaboration between the two. Manalo admits that for the first time, he wrote a song that is not straightforward but imbibes Lim's poetic take on the stories of the Filipino people.

"I think both Jonathan and I share life stories where God is always with us," says Lim. "When I joined Himig Handog, all of the other contenders were professionals and established. With that, I am already honoured that I didn't need to win. Not knowing that it was my sound they were looking for," Manalo continues by sharing looking back to his story.

Manalo and Lim want to share with the people that music and visual art can break borders. With the stories they share, these artists attempt to make waves for the Filipino people and also seek better ways to glorify God.

"I am grateful for the protection and favour of the Lord," Manalo humbly says looking back to his 20 years in the music industry. "Many times I thought I would fail but God would remind me every time with His divine intervention in many moments in my life," he continues. 

"I'm grateful for my prayers, both answered and unanswered. I am grateful for hitting rock bottom and that God showed me how it is to soar," Lim, on the other hand, shares her story. "I think if I didn't experience all that, I wouldn't be as committed and dedicated to Him," she adds. "Life is really hard, let's admit it. And it's even harder to follow Him. . .to just drop everything and offer your life to Him. But that's how it works. So I am grateful for the things he has let me experience so that I can understand this important Truth in life," she concludes.

After a successful project launch at CCP last September, the exhibition started touring at Fort Santiago, Art Lounge Manila in Alabang, and Newport World Resorts. This year-long multi-venue tour will hopefully reach Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, China, Japan, London, France, the USA, Canada, and Dubai.

With the exhibition is the Kuwento ng Alon art book, which contains the artworks of Lim and essays written by Lim and Manalo, Pastor Monique Lopez-Ong (host of ABS-CBN's Real Talk), Cindel Tiausas (Art Lounge Manila's artist, curator, and managing director), Cid Reyes (acclaimed art and culture critic), and National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab.

Manalo and Lim share their appreciation and gratitude to the people in their respective industries who are helping them make this project possible. Both being faith-centred with missionary backgrounds, they made sure that this project will be a way for them to help others. Hence, part of the proceeds from the project will be donated to four beneficiaries: ABS-CBN Foundation, Artists on a Mission Workshop, OM Philippines, and Sustainable PH.

Manalo admits that this celebration of his 20 years in the industry is far from what he imagined it would be before as he was grounded by the thought that there is still a pandemic. "I thought I would just be re-recording my songs but wow. It just grew bigger and bigger," he says.

Manalo also launched a Pinoy musical series Lyric and Beat on iWantTFC and mounted a star-studded anniversary concert last October 15 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater.

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