Kapamilya artists and Star Magic talents joined the magical celebration for Johnny “Mr. M” Manahan’s fiftieth year in the show business.
In a YouTube premiere, several artists who have worked with Mr. M expressed their gratefulness and sent congratulatory messages for his milestone in the film and TV industry.
Herbert Bautista who was part of the cast of Kaluskos Musmos remembered how Mr. M opened the doors of the showbiz industry for him.
“Siya ang nagbigay ng break sa akin, binigyan niya ako ng opportunity na maging artista as a child actor when I was 10-years old.
“Ang unang dialogue na binigay niya sa akin, pilot episode ng Kaluskos Musmos, Jose Rizal”
“Inabot kami ng 17 takes, pero that’s how patient Tito Johnny is sa mga nagsisimulang mga artista.”
He then expressed his sincerest gratitude to Mr. M who played a big part in his career.
“Tito Johhny, thank you very much. Hindi mo nga ako minanage pero hindi ako nawawala sa mga television shows mo. I’m very honored to work with you and hopefully to be working with you again.
“I may not have reached this point of my life, without you.”
Actor turned politician Richard Gomez shared his memorable moments while working with Mr. M on the famous TV sitcom, Palibhasa Lalake, Richard loves Lucy and ASAP, which were all directed by Manahan.
“I have so many memories of you, you’re our director sa Palibhasa Lalake and other shows like Richard loves Lucy, ASAP, ninong ka pa namin sa kasal.
“I remember we had a collaboration sa pag build ko ng house sa Greenhills we are actually the main designer and architect of that beautiful house.
“Bilang artista, he allows you to be yourself as an actor, he allows you to build up your character in the show, he allows you to do adlib, he is a very open-minded director and he loves to share his knowledge as a director.”
Gomez shared how Manahan guided and influenced him to be a director too.
“In fact, when I studied in UP and NYU for directing, siya talaga yung pinaka-mentor ko.”
Meanwhile, Claudine Barretto who was among the first batch of artists launched by Star Magic talent center, recalls how Mr. M stood not just as a director but also as a second father.
“I just wanna thank you for all the years that you’ve been my second dad, for being a protector, my hero, and my strength during the time I was so down and so low.
“Everything I have achieved in life, all my success I owe it all to you and God.
“In show business, we will never be show business without Mr. Jonny Manahan.”
Mr. M founded ABS-CBN talent center, now known as Star Magic, together with Freddie M. Garcia.
He mentored several celebrities like Bea Alonzo, John Lloyd Cruz, Piolo Pascual, Angelica Panganiban, Diether Ocampo, Kim Chiu, and Gerald Anderson, to name a few.
Following the non-renewal of the ABS-CBN franchise, he is now working as a Production consultant at Brighlight productions which has a block time agreement with TV5.
