IT may not be known to many but Johnny Manahan—director, star builder and legendary impresario—got his start in entertainment with GMA by way of Uncle Bob’s Lucky 7 Club as a young singer, and then with behind-the-scenes work on his late mother Eliva Manahan long-running talk show Two for the Road.
Now, GMA has welcomed Johnny, widely known as Mr. M, back into its fold, hosting a virtual contract-signing ceremony on July 13 which was attended by GMA Network chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, president and COO Gilberto R. Duavit Jr., executive vice president and CFO Felipe S. Yalong, GMA Films president and programming consultant to the chairman and CEO Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdes, senior vice president for entertainment group Lilybeth G. Rasonable, vice president for corporate affairs and communications Angela Javier Cruz, senior assistant vice president for alternative productions Gigi Santiago-Lara, GMA Artist Center assistant vice president and head for talent imaging and marketing unit Simoun Ferrer, and assistant vice president for corporate communications Jojo Aquio.
For several decades already, Mr. M. has been widely regarded as the man behind the success of some of the biggest names in the local entertainment industry. Apart from being a star builder, he also directed classic films and television series that are still remembered up to this day.
According to Mr. M, he is delighted to be officially part of GMA: “I’m very happy that Atty. Gozon and the rest of the executives have given me this chance, an opportunity to work with GMA and become a Kapuso. I am very happy with that. I’m not exactly a stranger to GMA, so this is like a homecoming of sorts and I am very proud.”
Atty. Gozon, in turn, expressed his excitement in welcoming Mr. M to the network: “The good reputation as well as the track record of Mr. M and his team are well-known in the Philippine TV industry and for this reason, we are looking forward to a mutually satisfactory, beneficial and rewarding relationship.”
Duavit echoed his eagerness to finally work with Mr. M: “We’re very pleased, very happy to welcome you and without having to say it, your reputation precedes you and we look forward to how your participation will cascade down to the growth, development and enhanced possibilities of our talents. ’Yung maihahandog, maidudulot na karunungan, guidance, tulong ay malaking bagay hindi lamang sa kanila pero sa aming lahat. Welcome, Johnny. It’s a pleasure to have you.”
Moreover, Yalong shared his admiration for the newest addition to GMA: “I think the expertise and experience that Johnny is bringing into GMA will greatly help our Talent Development and Management Department. Johnny is one of the few persons I know who can really spot raw talent and make it one of the big stars in the country. We are looking forward to Johnny’s experience and expertise to help us in that area of entertainment. Johnny, welcome to your Kapuso Network.”
Meanwhile, Rasonable looks forward to collaborating with him in GMA: “It has been a pleasure to exchange ideas with him. So I would just like to welcome Mr. M to GMA Artist Center and we look forward to a very fruitful relationship.”