Johnny Manahan

Juan "Johnny" Ledesma Manahan (born 11 February 1947), also known as Mr. M,[2] is a Filipino film and television director, actor and writer.

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Ledesma and the surname or paternal family name is Manahan.

Johnny L. Manahan
Born
Juan Ledesma Manahan[1]

(1947-02-11) 11 February 1947
Quezon City, Philippines
NationalityFilipino
Other namesMr. M, Mr. Mystery Man[2]
Occupation
  • Film and television director
  • actor
  • screenwriter
Years active1971–present
Height6 ft 2 in (188 cm)[1]

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
YearFilmStudio
1989Si Aida, Si Lorna, O Si FeFilmstar Productions
1993Home Along da Riles da MovieRVQ Productions, Star Cinema
1996Ang TV Movie: The Adarna AdventureStar Cinema
1999Oo Na, Mahal Na Kung Mahal
Television series
YearTV seriesNetwork
1984-1991Chika Chika ChicksABS-CBN
1987-1998Palibhasa Lalake
1991-1997Abangan Ang Susunod Na Kabanata
1992-1997Ang TV
Home Along Da Riles
1993-2000Oki Doki Doc
1997Kaya ni Mister, Kaya ni Misis
1999Wansapanataym
2001Da Pilya en da Pilot
Eto Na Ang Susunod Na Kabanata
2002-2003Klasmeyts
2005-2006Bora: Sons of the Beach
2006Komiks : "Bampy" episode
2008I Am KC: "Love 2 Dance"
Variety shows
YearTitleNetwork
1988Tonight with Dick and CarmiABS-CBN
1995-2020ASAP
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
2015–2016I Love OPM
2020Lunch Out LoudTV5
Sunday Noontime Live!
Specials
YearTitleNetwork
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
YearFilmCharacter/RoleStudio
1996Ang TV Movie: The Adarna AdventureHead TulisanStar Cinema
1998Ang Babae Sa BintanaRegal Films
2006The Bet CollectorMang PoldoMLR Films Inc.

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

Awards
Year Award-Giving Body Category Work Result
1979Paris Biennale of ArtSpecial Citation award[1]Won
2009PMPC Star Awards for TVAding Fernando Lifetime Achievement Award[7]Won

References
  1. "PMPC honors Johnny Manahan as 2009 Lifetime Achievement Awardee". Pep.ph. Retrieved 2014-05-14.
  2. "Dial Mr. M for Star Magic". Philstar. Retrieved 2014-05-14.
  3. "Johnny Manahan continues to create magic". Push. Retrieved 2014-05-14.
  4. "History of Star Magic". Starmagic.abs-cbn.com. Archived from the original on 9 March 2014. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  5. "PMPC honors Johnny Manahan as 2009 Lifetime Achievement Awardee". Pep.ph. Retrieved 2014-05-14.
  6. "PMPC honors Johnny Manahan as 2009 Lifetime Achievement Awardee". Pep.ph. Retrieved 2014-05-14.
  7. "ABS-CBN named Best TV Station at the 23rd Star Awards for TV". Pep.ph. Retrieved 2014-05-14.
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