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Director, starmaker, mentor, father, second father,
showbiz icon—these are just a few appellations that
Johnny Manahan, or Mr. M, wears. Having been in showbiz
for more than 30 years, he has witnessed many stars rise
and fall. For the longest time, he has dealt with stars
on a director-talent level and, for the past 15 years,
as manager-talent, being ABS-CBN Star Magic’s (formerly
the Talent Center) senior vice president.
Piolo
Pascual says this of him, “I met Mr. M more than 10
years ago. He is really strict. Hindi marunong
ngumiti kaya intimidating. As a mentor, he stands
for what he knows is right. He is not the type who would
comprise. He’s always for the good of the talent. He’s
like a real parent and very compassionate. He doesn’t
care about your personal life but as long as you’re
on-cam, you should be the person and the character that
you should be.” For his part, Diether Ocampo says, “I’ve
known him since 1996. I said to myself then, ‘Ang
laking lalaki nito ah.’ When he asked me my name,
hindi niya naintindihan sagot ko. Sabi niya kay
Chris Violago, ‘Addict ba yan?’ So in my first
audition, hindi ako natanggap. He is very
protective of his talents. He can make you tremble and
break down without uttering any word. But I would say
that he is a very fair person, a man of wisdom. Never
hide anything from him, just trust him.”
But what
does Johnny Manahan say of them and his other stars? We
get to ask him that and many more in this very EXCLUSIVE
conversation with the elusive man—and man of a few
words—behind the stars.
You’re a
director, talent manager, network executive all rolled
into one. But what are you first and foremost?
Director
The
group of Lauren Dyogi also formed their own talent
management arm, Dream Big Productions. Your comments?
No
comment.
Celebrities you have directed are in awe of you. What
can you say about this?
Why? I’m
so nice.
But some
are truly scared of you. Any comment?
Why are
they scared when I’m so lovable?
Let’s
talk about some of your talents. What was your initial
impression of Claudine Barretto when you first saw her?
I knew
she would be a monster... Some took that negatively but
what I actually meant was that she will become a big
star of monstrous proportions.
Piolo
Pascual?
I knew
that he was a very nice guy.
Diether
Ocampo?
First
time I met Diet, I asked his name and I couldn’t
understand his answer. I asked the person beside me if
he was a drug addict....
Sam
Milby?
Sam is
more complicated than others. It takes awhile for him to
give you an answer as he thinks about it thoroughly.
Gerald
Anderson?
He will
be a star.
Angelica
Panganiban?
There’s
a strangeness in her but I’ve always believed that
“there’s no beauty without strangeness”.
Bea
Alonzo?
She was
very young then but she already had this Town and
Country beauty.
John
Lloyd Cruz?
An actor
in every sense of the word, a moody actor
Is there
anyone you wish you’d manage?
Boy
Abunda.
How
personal do you get with regard your talents? Do you
meddle with their private affairs?
I really
don’t get into their personal affairs, if I can help
it. For me, just do your job and do it well.
What can
you say about the notion that Star Magic is getting too
overcrowded?
It’s not
a notion. It’s a fact that it is overcrowded!
What is
the best advice you think you’ve given?
Don’t
mind what other people think about you as long as you do
your thing, find your own niche and do your best. You
always do your best because you never know how long
you’ll last.
What
does the “M” in Mr. M really stand for you?
You
choose... marvelous or murderous? |
