Johnny Manahan, or Mr. M to his many wards, is known to be a exceptional director, producer, and star maker, who worked with ABS-CBN for about 35 years of his 50-year career in the local showbiz industry.
He co-founded the ABS-CBN’s talent management arm, Star Magic, and remained as its consultant and head honcho after retiring in 2007.
He is the man behind the successful careers of stars Claudine Barretto, Piolo Pascual, Bea Alonzo, John Lloyd Cruz, Angelica Panganiban, Liza Soberano, Enrique Gil, Kathryn Bernardo, Daniel Padilla, and a lot more.
Mr. M has finally revealed in a virtual conference with Summit Media Group journalists why he left ABS-CBN.
At the age of 73, Manahan simply wants to rest and have a life after his career, which he started at the age of 25. He also said that his reason has nothing to do with the franchise denial.
However, he has convinced by Brightlight Productions’ chief Albee Benitez, who signed a block time deal with TV5 network, to put his broadcast hat back on.
Through this, he has also helped ABS-CBN employees who were retrenched after NTC’s closure order to the network.
Mr. M produced and directed Sunday show Sunday Noontime Live which featured former talents he worked with on ABS-CBN.
However, the said show lasted for only 3 months.
So, what’s next for Mr. M?
Is he open to work on other network, specifically on GMA-7, ABS-CBN’s rival network?
“No. Right now, no,” he answered during an exclusive interview with PEP.ph.
Johnny Manahan does not rule out the opportunity to work for another network, especially now that he is already a free agent.
“But that doesn’t mean that I’ve ruled it out. Kasi pwedeng mangyari yun,” the star builder added.
Manahan has also decided to keep mum and teased the media with “My lips are sealed…” when asked if he already received an offer from GMA Network.
He has also mentioned that he was given an offer by his friend, Lawrence Tan, chief marketing officer of Viva Entertainment, to work with them.
Mr. M has agreed that if he remains a freelancer, it will be an easier job for him with less expectations.
