Johnny “Mr. M” Manahan is now a Kapuso as he officially signed with the network on Tuesday, July 13.
Former Kapamilya star Bea Alonzo is also with the GMA Network since she transferred on July 1.
As the iconic director and Starmaker transferred to the GMA Network just 2 weeks since Bea Alonzo transferred, does Mr. M have something to do with the earlier transfer of the actress?
In his virtual mediacon as a newly transferred Kapuso with the hashtag #WelcomeToGMAMrM, Mr. M clarified that Alonzo’s transfer has nothing to do with him.
When asked if Kapamilya artists are planning to transfer to the GMA Network as well, Mr. M said that it’s up to the artists to decide just like how Alonzo made her transfer.
“‘Di ko masasagot ngayon eh. Alam naman nila [Kapamilyas] kung ano ‘yung gusto nilang gawin.
“But you never know, katulad ni Bea [Alonzo]. Nagkataon lang na gusto niyang lumipat. Hindi naman kami nag-usap,” he said.
Mr. M then gave a message to all the Kapamilya artists who are planning to transfer to other networks.
“For the others, ang sinasabi ko parati, kailangan pag-isipan nila kung saan talaga ang gusto nila. Find work where people would appreciate them. ‘Yun lang naman ‘yun. Abangan na lang natin,” said the director.
He also said that the Kapamilya artists are free to do what they want and are welcome to the GMA Network.
Speculations said that Bea Alonzo is only the start of a massive exodus of Kapamilya artists.
With Mr. M signing a contract with the Kapuso network, rumors say that a lot more Kapamilya artists will follow through especially the artists that the director honed as a founder of Star Magic.
After ABS-CBN was forced to shut down in July 2020, Mr. M signed up as a Production Consultant with Brightlight Productions. He handled two variety shows which are Lunch Out Loud (LOL) and the now-defunct Sunday musical variety show Sunday Noontime Live! (SNL).
Prior to his official transfer to the GMA Network, he did a project with the network through Willie Revillame’s production firm Wilfredo Buendia Revillame (WBR) after his stint in TV5.
