It has been a decade since lead guitarist Paga Manikan left the hit band Mayonnaise for a new life in the US. His decision has become a reflection of how an artist who has already achieved success can continue to progress by stepping out of their comfort zone.
A look at the updated profile of Philip Carlo Manikan – likely the name he had written on paper as a student – classifies him as an audio engineer. He is described as “qualified to work in the audio department with substantial experience in sound designing, music arranging, audio recording, mixing, and mastering.”
Paga has come a long way since I first saw him perform in Makati, where Mayonnaise was fresh from winning the Red Horse Muziklaban competition. That was their big break before they released several hit songs. At that time, I was a budding music writer.
I recall gig host Kevin Roy of Razorback joking that he and the members of Mayonnaise weighed a total of one ton on stage. It was a harmless dig at the band’s charismatic lead singer, Monty Macalino, who must now be considered one of the coolest figures in Pinoy rock.
Paga was not obviously overweight back then, although he may have gained some pounds over the years. This change reflects his expanded resume and the wisdom he has acquired, contributing to his accomplishments.
I recently reconnected with Paga in California, where he operates a state-of-the-art studio in Orange County. He heard a new song I have written, mentioned in my latest book, And For The Record, and which I intend to record. When he heard it, he said, “Galing nito. We will work on this,” indicating his eagerness to collaborate.
Paga speaks the language of a musically gifted musician who has thoroughly studied the technical side of the craft. He suggested, “I have some ideas before the refrain parts, like a build-up before the choruses, and then in the last refrain, let’s tweak the chords to make it sound different. If you could send me a reference or idea of how you want it to sound like…”
The College of St. Benilde has reason to be proud of its former music production student, given his track record as a recording artist, songwriter, record producer, and audio engineer. His guitar work on tracks like “Jopay” and “Bakit Part 2” demonstrates a sound that helps records age well. He has also engaged in various podcasts, including The Bennet Bros Sports (UK), The Life You Crave (USA), Practical Mindset (USA), Smart Man, Smarter Woman (Canada), and Awakened Mind (Australia).
He was involved in the sound design of the full-length documentary Dreaming in the Red Light (directed by Pabelle Manikan), which was screened in France and competed in South Korea. He also worked on the Know Your Worth series of documentaries promoting Filipino artists, products, and tourism.
Paga’s Easy Audio Recording Studio is a dream come true for him, as he had envisioned having one since his high school days. He explained in a previous interview that “the process of gathering all the hardware for his studio took time” and that “it’s a process that doesn’t ever really end.”
According to Paga, it’s essential to understand the basics of music production and audio engineering before breaking the rules. Creativity can be exercised through practical application on different projects, and listening to various music genres is crucial for developing one’s style in producing sound.
Paga continues to perform and write. He wrote songs and engineered the EP of six tracks for the band Sleeping with a Gun. Although his brilliant guitar work may have overshadowed his songwriting, he co-wrote the Awit Award Best Song winner “Sabay Tayo” in 2012 for The Biggest Loser: Philippine Edition. He also wrote jingles for companies like Honda Philippines and the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation while serving as a co-writer for Mayonnaise.
Apart from his music career, Paga, like many Filipinos in America, maintains a regular job.
“Ganun talaga dito kayod lang ng kayod,” he said, relating on the hard work required.
Paga’s inspiration, aside from music, is his family. He and his wife, Maggie, will celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary this month, and their daughter, Clara, is central to their lives.
I look forward to working with a talent who continues to strive for growth. While some musicians might feel secure after joining a famous band, Paga chose to explore new opportunities. His move to California suggests a desire to expand his horizons further, continuing to spread his influence in the music industry.
