Johnny Manahan transfers to GMA Network

Johnny Manahan, a.k.a. Mr. M, transferred to GMA Network, the rival of his former station, ABS-CBN.

“I’m very happy that Atty, [Felipe] Gozon, and the rest of the executives have given me this chance and opportunity to work with GMA-7 and become a Kapuso,” Mr. M said during his contract signing, Tuesday, July 13.

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“This is like a homecoming of sorts, and I’m very proud,” he said.

Johnny Manahan expressed his excitement to work with GMA Artist Center.

“Ang main aim is to develop a new breed of GMA artists,” he said.

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“Kung ano pa ‘yung kulang sa kanila, we hope to develop that and give them a brighter shine. So abangan niyo, mga Kapuso,” he told GMA reporters.

“Maybe in six or seven months meron na kaming bagong mga artista sa GMA, and to the other artists who have been there a long time, I think I can learn from them, and I hope they can learn from us, also,” he added.

Johnny Manahan transfers to GMA Network

Mr. M clarified that he won’t be doing any directing for now. “Just consulting with Artist Center and Entertainment,” he said.

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Johnny Manahan held various positions in ABS-CBN management. He was the Director in the Talent Center (1992-1994); Program Director in the Production Department (1994-1996); and Vice President in the Talent Development & Management Center (1996-2003); Senior Vice President of ABS-CBN’s Star Magic (2003-2007). He retired in 2007 but remained as Head and Consultant of Star Magic until 2020.

In 2020, following the closure of ABS-CBN for not having their franchise renewed by the congress and National Telecommunications Commission, Manahan signed up as Production Consultant with Brightlight Productions, an independent company owned by former Negros Occidental 3rd District Rep. Albee Benitez.

The said production outfit secured a block time agreement with TV5, allowing Manahan to handle two variety shows the daily noontime show Lunch Out Loud and the now-defunct Sunday noontime musical variety show Sunday Noontime Live!. Following his departure, Joane Laygo, an assistant director ASAP, replaced Johnny Manahan as the director of ASAP.

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