Johnny Manahan

Johnny L. Manahan
Born Juan Ledesma Manahan[1]
11 February 1947
Quezon City, Manila, Philippines
Nationality Filipino
Other names Mr. M, Mr. Mystery Man[2]
Occupation Director, Actor, Writer
Years active 1971-present
Height 6'2"[1]

Juan Ledesma Manahan (born 11 February 1947), also known as Johnny Manahan or simply Mr. M,[2] is a film and television director, as well as an actor and writer in the Philippines.[3]

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.

Biography

Early life and education

Manahan was born on February 11, 1947 in Quezon City, Manila, Philippines as a Roman Catholic. He is the child of Dr. Constantino Perez Manahan and Elvira Ledesma Manahan, who was also known for her television series, Two For The Road. Manahan attended high school in 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 first became a visual artist, paintor, and sculptor. In fact, he received the "Special Citation" award at the Paris Beinnale of Art in 1979.[1]

Career

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, For the Boys, The Big Big Show, and Kaluskos Musmos. Right after BBC-2 re-opened in 1986 and becomes the ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation, he was appointed as a resident director at the network. He is the director of the leading shows of the history of the local television, such as Chika Chika Chicks, Palibhasa Lalake, Tonight with Dick and Carmi, and Abangan Ang Susunod Na Kabanata.[4]

In April 1992, Manahan, then 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.[5] 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 is busy discovering and developing new talent, Manahan is still doing his directing duties for television shows, movies, concerts, and specials. In particular, he directs the first collaboration of Martin Nievera and Gary Valenciano's 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.[6]

He is the man behind the Ms. Earth pageants, the Christmas and anniversary specials of ABS-CBN, celebrity weddings and debut specials, election specials, and many more. In addition, he also manages the grand world tours and concerts outside the country which includes ASAP '05 in USA and Japan, Wowowee in Las Vegas, Chicago, Hawaii, and more, Star Magic World Tour in Canada and USA, among others.[7]

Throughout his career, Manahan's career expanded and he has held different positions in the network management. He had been 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). In 2007, he stepped down from his position and retired in 2007, and stayed as the Head and Consultant of Star Magic.[7]

Legacy

Manahan is one of the Philippines' prominent and esteemed key people in the showbiz industry. In fact, he has helped many aspiring talents to become well-known and great artists, making him an influential person in the showbiz world. Some of the talents under his mentorship through Star Magic include Piolo Pascual, Claudine Barretto, Angelica Panganiban, Diether Ocampo, Bea Alonzo, Kim Chiu, Gerald Anderson, John Lloyd Cruz among others, and became household names.[2]

Filmography

Pre-resident director

from 1971-1986

As Director
  • The Big, Big Show (BBC-2)
  • Mana (BBC-2)
  • 2+2 (BBC-2)
  • Julian Talisman (RPN 9)
  • Kaluskos Musmos (RPN 9)
  • Alab ng Lahi (RPN 9)
  • Model (RPN 9)
  • Musmos Pa Si Boss (IBC 13)
  • For the Boys (IBC 13)

As Guest Director
  • Two for the Road (GMA 7)
  • In the Money (IBC 13)
  • Mga Kwento Ni Lola (RPN 9)
  • Dina (BBC 2)
  • Late Hour with June & Johnny (GMA 7)

As a Director

Films
Year Film Studio
1989 Si Aida, Si Lorna, O Si Fe Filmstar Productions
1993Home Along da Riles da MovieRVQ Productions, Star Cinema
1996 Ang TV Movie: The Adarna AdventureStar Cinema
1999Oo Na, Mahal Na Kung Mahal
Television series
Year TV series Network
1984Chika Chika ChiksABS-CBN
1987Palibhasa Lalake
1991 Abangan Ang Susunod Na Kabanata
1992 Ang TV
Home Along Da Riles
1993Oki Doki Doc
1997Kaya ni Mister, Kaya ni Misis
1999Wansapanataym
2001Da Pilya en da Pilot
Eto Na Ang Susunod Na Kabanata
2002Klasmeyts
2005Bora: Sons of the Beach
2006Komiks : "Bampy" episode
2008I Am KC: "Love 2 Dance"
Variety shows
Year Title Network
1988Tonight with Dick and CarmiABS-CBN
1995ASAP
2003Masayang Tanghali Bayan!
2005Wowowee
2006Sharon
2010Shoutout!
Pilipinas Win Na Win
Star Power
2011Happy Yipee Yehey!
2012The X Factor Philippines
2013Minute to Win It
The Voice of the Philippines
2014The Voice Kids
Specials
Year Title Network
2005Bea's Wildest Dreams at 18: Birthday TV SpecialABS-CBN
2006Ang Pagbabalik ng Bituin: A Mega Celebration
2008Martin Nievera's Martin XXV
Lea Salonga's My Life On Stage
2009Sharon Cuneta's Mega 30
2011Binibining Pilipinas 2011: The Pageant
2012Binibining Pilipinas 2012
Miss Philippines Earth 2012
2013Binibining Pilipinas Gold: The 2013 Pageant
2014Binibining Pilipinas 2014: The Grand Coronation Night

As an Actor

Films
Year Film Character/RoleStudio
1996 Ang TV Movie: The Adarna AdventureHead TulisanStar Cinema
1998Ang Babae Sa Bintana Regal Films
2006The Bet CollectorMang PoldoMLR Films Inc.

As a Writer

Works
Year Title
1996Ang TV Movie: The Adarna Adventure
2002Kung Ikaw ay Isang Panaginip
2005 Bea's Wildest Dreams at 18: Birthday TV Special

Awards

Year Award-Giving Body Category Work Result
1979Paris Beinnale of Art Special Citation award[1] Won
2009PMPC Star Awards for TVAding Fernando Lifetime Achievement Award[8] Won

References

External links