Johnny Manahan

Film Director and Talent Manager, GMA

This veteran director and star manager who goes by the moniker, “Mr M”, has helped shape the Philippines’ popular celebrities we know today

For 50 years, Johnny Manahan has worked in show business as a man with many hats; he has acted, written and directed films, as well as produced variety shows and television series.

He also created opportunities for stars in the Philippine entertainment industry, especially when he and his colleague, Freddie Garcia established ABS-CBN's talent centre, Star Magic. Managing the talent centre had him cross paths with now industry heavyweights like Bea Alonzo, Piolo Pascual, Kathryn Bernardo, and Daniel Padilla, to name a few.

But after the closure of ABS-CBN in 2020, Manahan became a consultant as he joined GMA Artist Center in 2021, the same media company he once worked at in the earlier years of his career. As an important figure in the entertainment industry, Manahan has earned the respect of various people—personalities and professionals on and off-screen—for his grit and dedication in being a starmaker.

Impacted Industries

Entertainment

Awards

2021: Asia's Most Influential (Philippines)
2009: PMPC Star Awards for TV – Ading Fernando Lifetime Achievement Award
1979: Paris Biennale of Art – Special Citation Award

Did You Know?

Also a painter and visual artist, Johnny Manahan received a Special Citation award in 1979 at the Paris Biennale of Art. It did not take long until Manahan was also recognised by the Cultural Center of the Philippines and became a recipient of the Thirteen Artists Awards.