Johnny Manahan


Juan Ledesma Manahan, also known as Johnny Manahan or simply Mr. M, is a film and television director, as well as an actor and writer in the Philippines.
He is known for managing actors, being the manager for ABS-CBN's Star Magic, 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, Philippines. His parents were Dr. Constantino Perez Manahan and socialite and television host Elvira 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.
Before becoming the director-manager, Manahan was first a visual artist, painter, and sculptor. In fact, he received the "Special Citation" award at the Paris Biennale of Art in 1979.

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 became the ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation, 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.
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. 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.
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 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.
Throughout his career, Manahan's career expanded and he held different positions in the network management. He was the Director in the Talent Center ; Program Director in the Production Department ; and Vice President in the Talent Development & Management Center ; Senior Vice President of ABS-CBN's Star Magic. He retired in 2007, but remains as the Head and Consultant of Star Magic.

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 include Piolo Pascual, Claudine Barretto, Angelica Panganiban, Diether Ocampo, Bea Alonzo, Kim Chiu, Gerald Anderson, John Lloyd Cruz.

Filmography

Pre-resident director

;As Director
;As Guest 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 MahalStar Cinema

;Television series
YearTV seriesNetwork
1984-1991Chika Chika ChicksABS-CBN
1987-1998Palibhasa LalakeABS-CBN
1991-1997Abangan Ang Susunod Na KabanataABS-CBN
1992-1997Ang TVABS-CBN
1992-1997Home Along Da RilesABS-CBN
1993-2000Oki Doki DocABS-CBN
1997Kaya ni Mister, Kaya ni MisisABS-CBN
1999WansapanataymABS-CBN
2001Da Pilya en da PilotABS-CBN
2001Eto Na Ang Susunod Na KabanataABS-CBN
2002-2003KlasmeytsABS-CBN
2005-2006Bora: Sons of the BeachABS-CBN
2006Komiks : "Bampy" episodeABS-CBN
2008I Am KC: "Love 2 Dance"ABS-CBN

;Variety shows
YearTitleNetwork
1988Tonight with Dick and CarmiABS-CBN
1995-presentASAPABS-CBN
2003Masayang Tanghali Bayan!ABS-CBN
2005WowoweeABS-CBN
2006SharonABS-CBN
2010Shoutout!ABS-CBN
2010Pilipinas Win Na WinABS-CBN
2010Star PowerABS-CBN
2011Happy Yipee Yehey!ABS-CBN
2012The X Factor PhilippinesABS-CBN
2013Minute to Win ItABS-CBN
2013The Voice of the PhilippinesABS-CBN
2014The Voice KidsABS-CBN
2015–2016I Love OPMABS-CBN

;Specials
YearTitleNetwork
2005Bea's Wildest Dreams at 18: Birthday TV SpecialABS-CBN
2006Ang Pagbabalik ng Bituin: A Mega CelebrationABS-CBN
2008Martin Nievera's Martin XXVABS-CBN
2008Lea Salonga's My Life On StageABS-CBN
2009Sharon Cuneta's Mega 30ABS-CBN
2011Binibining Pilipinas 2011: The PageantABS-CBN
2012Binibining Pilipinas 2012ABS-CBN
2012Miss Philippines Earth 2012ABS-CBN
2013Binibining Pilipinas Gold: The 2013 PageantABS-CBN
2014Binibining Pilipinas 2014: The Grand Coronation NightABS-CBN

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">Screenwriter">Writer

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

Awards