M
Man on a Mission
After almost four decades, Johnny Manahan finds himself in a familiar but unfamiliar territory – it’s the same place where he started his career over 50 years ago, but it’s an entirely new environment with new characters and players he’s yet to know.
Text by: Aaron Brennt Eusebio
When the deadly COVID-19 (COVID-19) gripped the world, the government put the entire country into a lockdown, forcing many companies to adapt to a new remote work reality.
The once busy roads were practically clean, trains empty, and tourist spots a ghost town. Ships remained docked, and airplanes were grounded. All the things and scenarios that we never thought were possible became the new normal.
Everyone was asked to stay at home; even overseas workers came back.
And just like everyone else, Johnny Manahan, or Mr. M as he is fondly called in the industry, made his homecoming to GMA during the pandemic.
“This is like a homecoming of sorts,” Mr. M. remarked after his virtual contract signing with GMA Network Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, President and COO Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr., and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Felipe S. Yalong on July 13, 2021.
“And I’m very proud.”
M for Multifaceted
Unknown to many, Mr. M started his extensive career in show business in GMA when he was 22 years old, fresh from finishing his AB Art History degree from the University of California, Berkeley in the United States.
“I’m not exactly a stranger to GMA,” he shares. “A long time ago, GMA-7 was known as Channel 7, and I worked on many shows there with the late Elvira Manahan, and also a lot of musical shows under the father of Jimmy, si Mr. Bibit [Duavit].”
In 1969, Mr. M appeared as a folk singer in Uncle Bob's Lucky 7 Club, the children show of GMA’s then-owner and founder, Robert “Uncle Bob” Stewart.
Soon after, he began to work with his mother, the late Elvira Manahan, in her talk show Two for the Road, and with future National Artist for Film Lino Brocka.
During those times, exclusivity to a TV network among on- and off-cam talents was not yet a thing, and Mr. M enjoyed being a freelancer, doing projects for multiple TV stations.
Everything changed in 1986 when Mr. M was asked to join and help rebuild the then-newly-reopened ABS-CBN, and for almost four decades, Mr. M became exclusive to the company, both as a director and a starmaker.
Now that he’s back to where he started his journey, Mr. M can now say that his life has come full circle.
“I’m glad nakabalik din ako, parang bilog na ’yung circle, ’yung circle of life kung tawagin.”
M for Momentous
At 74 years old, Mr. M already has the reason to pass the baton to the younger generation, but as a “showbiz gypsy,” he admits he still looks forward to working where his services and expertise are needed.
Mr. M resigned from ABS-CBN in October 2020. After leaving the company, he either produced or directed variety shows for the television production company Brightlight Productions.
“For the past year, I’ve been a freelancer, doing shows for Channel 5,” he shares. “After that, I thought about retiring already but not so because I still have that itch to be in showbiz.”
“I consider myself to be a gypsy, showbiz gypsy. We go where there is work, we go where we are needed, we go where we are respected.”
As a consultant to GMA Artist Center, Mr. M has been tasked to make a difference and discover new actors that could someday make it big, working with GMA Senior Assistant Vice President for Alternative Productions Gigi Santiago-Lara, and GMA Artist Center Assistant Vice President and Head for Talent Imaging and Marketing Unit Simoun Ferrer.
“If you put it another way, matigas na ’yung ulo nila,” he explains, breaking into a laugh.
For aspiring actors, Mr. M identifies that one quality that could help them to succeed in the business.
“They should have a love for what they are doing, a love for their craft,” he told GMANetwork.com when asked what he thinks makes a great actor.
“Dapat ginagalang nila ’yung work ethics and ’yung hours of work kasi ’pag meron silang ganun, they can keep that for the rest of their lives. So, it’s the work ethic, ’yun ’yung pinakaimportante na katangian.”
But before joining the industry, Mr. M warns aspirants to think twice, or even thrice, about their decision.
“I think they have to think about it really well, whether they want to be in this business, in show business. Mahirap ito, e. Maraming nangyayari dito na hindi kanais-nais. Kailangan matibay ang loob nila. A lot of people think it's all about the glamour and glitz pero trabaho 'yan, e.
“’Pag pinasukan mo ’yan, maraming pipintas sa’yo. Marami ’yung nagbibigay pugay pero I think there are more slings and arrows in show business than praises. They have to think whether they want to be an actor. They should keep thinking if they really want to.”
M for Memorable
For someone who learns how to build a star just from experience, it is not surprising to know that Mr. M’s memorable moments are hearing the "Thank yous" from celebrities he helped build their careers.
“My most memorable moment? Marami, e, but usually kapag pupunta sa’yo ’yung mga baguhan at magpapasalamat,” he admits. “Malaking bagay ’yun sa’kin, e. ’Yung nagpapasalamat sila kasi nakapagensayo sila, nakapag-training, alam nila kung ano gagawin nila sa harap ng camera.
“More often than not, sila ang dumadating at nagsasabing ‘Maraming salamat,’ and malaking bagay ’yun sa akin, nakakatuwa.”
Mr. M has spent most of his life in show business building the careers of celebrities that spanned generations and helping ordinary people become superstars.
But when asked about his legacy, Mr. M pauses for a few moments before answering, a candid expression that shows he never once thought about the legacy that he hopes to leave behind.
“Oh my God,” Mr. M says, followed by a laugh. “That’s nice, it’s a nice question. I think it demands a little thought. I haven’t thought about that.”
In a tone more calm this time, he continues, “I would be satisfied, I suppose, if people remember me as a good grandfather, even if it's only a small circle, like my family. I hope people remember me as humble. Even if I don’t look humble, I’m humble. They could remember me as [someone who is] working hard, as hard as they work, working hard for their careers, working hard to show off the respect of the public.”
In a country where celebrities come and go, one remains a towering figure for over five decades. And we all know him by his single letter name: Mr. M.
