Johnny Manahan
Johnny L. Manahan | |
---|---|
Born | Juan Ledesma Manahan[1] 11 February 1947 Quezon City, Philippines |
Nationality | Filipino |
Other names | Mr. M, Mr. Mystery Man[2] |
Occupations |
|
Years active | 1971–present |
Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)[1] |
Juan "Johnny" Ledesma Manahan (born 11 February 1947), also known as Mr. M,[2] is a Filipino film and television director, actor and writer.
He is known for managing actors, being the manager for ABS-CBN's Star Magic (formerly the Talent Center), as well as the senior vice-president of ABS-CBN.
Early life and education
Manahan was born on February 11, 1947 in Quezon City, Philippines. His parents were Dr. Constantino Perez Manahan and socialite and television host (Two For The Road) Elvira Ledesma Manahan. Manahan attended high school at the Ateneo de Manila in 1964, and finished his studies at the University of California, Berkeley, AB Art History, in 1969.[1]
Before becoming the director-manager, Manahan was a visual artist, painter, and sculptor. In fact, he received the "Special Citation" award at the Paris Biennale of Art in 1979.[1]
Career
Career as a freelancer, and at ABS-CBN/Star Magic
Manahan began his career directing for television soon after his studies around 1971. He was a freelancer and directed shows for the various local channels such as Two for the Road (GMA), For the Boys (IBC), The Big Big Show (BBC/City2), and Kaluskos Musmos (RPN). Right after ABS-CBN re-opened in 1986, he was appointed as a resident director at the network. He directed the leading shows of the history of local television, such as Chika Chika Chicks, Palibhasa Lalake, Tonight with Dick and Carmi, and Abangan Ang Susunod Na Kabanata.[3]
In April 1992, Manahan, then the program director, and Freddie Garcia, then ABS-CBN executive vice president and general manager, formed the idea of creating a stable of new stars exclusively for the network.[4] This gave birth to Talent Center. In its early years, the Talent Center's project was Ang TV. The show auditioned thousands of people and accepted chosen ones into the program. The series soon led to mall shows, live concerts, and record albums. It also became a springboard for the careers of Claudine Barretto, Jolina Magdangal, Camille Prats, Victor Neri, and Paolo Contis among others. The Talent Center continued its search through the launching vehicle Star Circle in 1995.
While he was busy discovering and developing new talent, Manahan continued to direct television shows, movies, concerts, and specials. In particular, he directed the first collaboration of Martin Nievera and Gary Valenciano, a major concert in September 2009 at the Mall of Asia concert grounds, as well as foreign celebrities' Barry Manilow, Diana Krall, and Andrea Bocelli's concerts in the Philippines.[5]
He is the man behind the television coverage of the Miss Earth pageants, the Christmas and anniversary specials of ABS-CBN, celebrity weddings and debut specials, election specials, and many more. In addition, he also managed the grand world tours and concerts outside the country which includes ASAP '05 in USA and Japan, Wowowee in Las Vegas, Chicago, Hawaii, Star Magic World Tour in Canada and USA, among others.[6]
Manahan held various positions in ABS-CBN management. He was the Director in the Talent Center (1992-1994); Program Director in the Production Department (1994-1996); and Vice President in the Talent Development & Management Center (1996-2003); Senior Vice President of ABS-CBN's Star Magic (2003-2007). He retired in 2007 but remained as Head and Consultant of Star Magic until 2020.[6]
Move To Brightlight Productions/TV5
In 2020, following the closure of ABS-CBN 2 for not having their renewal franchise of the TV network by both NTC & Congress, Manahan signed up as Production Consultant with Brightlight Productions, an independent company owned by former Negros Occidental 3rd District Rep. Albee Benitez. The said production outfit secured a blocktime agreement with TV5, allowing Manahan to handle two variety shows: the daily noontime show Lunch Out Loud and the now-defunct Sunday noontime musical variety show Sunday Noontime Live!. Joane Laygo filled his former directorial duties in ASAP.
Legacy
Manahan was a mentor to a number of people who went on to become well-known in show business in the Philippines; among these are Star Magic talents Piolo Pascual, Claudine Barretto, Angelica Panganiban, Diether Ocampo, Bea Alonzo, Kim Chiu, Gerald Anderson, John Lloyd Cruz.[2]
Filmography
Pre-resident director
- from 1971-1986
|
|
As a Director
- Films
Year | Film | Studio |
---|---|---|
1989 | Si Aida, Si Lorna, O Si Fe | Filmstar Productions |
1993 | Home Along da Riles da Movie | RVQ Productions, Star Cinema |
1996 | Ang TV Movie: The Adarna Adventure | Star Cinema |
1999 | Oo Na, Mahal Na Kung Mahal |
- Television series
Year | TV series | Network |
---|---|---|
1984-1991 | Chika Chika Chicks | ABS-CBN |
1987-1998 | Palibhasa Lalake | |
1991-1997 | Abangan Ang Susunod Na Kabanata | |
1992-1997 | Ang TV | |
Home Along Da Riles | ||
1993-2000 | Oki Doki Doc | |
1997 | Kaya ni Mister, Kaya ni Misis | |
1999 | Wansapanataym | |
2001 | Da Pilya en da Pilot | |
Eto Na Ang Susunod Na Kabanata | ||
2002-2003 | Klasmeyts | |
2005-2006 | Bora: Sons of the Beach | |
2006 | Komiks : "Bampy" episode | |
2008 | I Am KC: "Love 2 Dance" |
- Variety shows
Year | Title | Network |
---|---|---|
1988 | Tonight with Dick and Carmi | ABS-CBN |
1995-2020 | ASAP | |
2003 | Masayang Tanghali Bayan! | |
2005 | Wowowee | |
2006 | Sharon | |
2010 | Shoutout! | |
Pilipinas Win Na Win | ||
Star Power | ||
2011 | Happy Yipee Yehey! | |
2012 | The X Factor Philippines | |
2013 | Minute to Win It | |
The Voice of the Philippines | ||
2014 | The Voice Kids | |
2015–2016 | I Love OPM | |
2020 | Lunch Out Loud | TV5 |
Sunday Noontime Live! |
- Specials
Year | Title | Network |
---|---|---|
2005 | Bea's Wildest Dreams at 18: Birthday TV Special | ABS-CBN |
2006 | Ang Pagbabalik ng Bituin: A Mega Celebration | |
2008 | Martin Nievera's Martin XXV | |
Lea Salonga's My Life On Stage | ||
2009 | Sharon Cuneta's Mega 30 | |
2011 | Binibining Pilipinas 2011: The Pageant | |
2012 | Binibining Pilipinas 2012 | |
Miss Philippines Earth 2012 | ||
2013 | Binibining Pilipinas Gold: The 2013 Pageant | |
2014 | Binibining Pilipinas 2014: The Grand Coronation Night |
As an Actor
- Films
Year | Film | Character/Role | Studio |
---|---|---|---|
1996 | Ang TV Movie: The Adarna Adventure | Head Tulisan | Star Cinema |
1998 | Ang Babae Sa Bintana | Regal Films | |
2006 | The Bet Collector | Mang Poldo | MLR Films Inc. |
As a Writer
- Works
Year | Title |
---|---|
1996 | Ang TV Movie: The Adarna Adventure |
2002 | Kung Ikaw ay Isang Panaginip |
2005 | Bea's Wildest Dreams at 18: Birthday TV Special |
Awards
Year | Award-Giving Body | Category | Work | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1979 | Paris Biennale of Art | Special Citation award[1] | Won | |
2009 | PMPC Star Awards for TV | Ading Fernando Lifetime Achievement Award[7] | Won |
References
- ^ a b c d e "PMPC honors Johnny Manahan as 2009 Lifetime Achievement Awardee". Pep.ph. Retrieved 2014-05-14.
- ^ a b c "Dial Mr. M for Star Magic". Philstar. Retrieved 2014-05-14.
- ^ "Johnny Manahan continues to create magic". Push. Retrieved 2014-05-14.
- ^ "History of Star Magic". Starmagic.abs-cbn.com. Archived from the original on 9 March 2014. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
- ^ "PMPC honors Johnny Manahan as 2009 Lifetime Achievement Awardee". Pep.ph. Retrieved 2014-05-14.
- ^ a b "PMPC honors Johnny Manahan as 2009 Lifetime Achievement Awardee". Pep.ph. Retrieved 2014-05-14.
- ^ "ABS-CBN named Best TV Station at the 23rd Star Awards for TV". Pep.ph. Retrieved 2014-05-14.