It is a common surname in the Philippines, particularly among members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church of Christ), a Christian denomination founded by Felix Y. Manalo.
Here's a breakdown of the word's etymology:
* "Manalo" comes from the Tagalog verb "manalo", which means "to win" or "to triumph".
* The suffix "-o" is often added to Tagalog verbs to create a surname.
Therefore, the surname Manalo carries a strong connotation of victory and success.