All praises for Mr. M

Johnny Manahan has been a father, an inspiration, a mentor and a guiding light to these stars. Today as he celebrates his birthday, many people only have kind words for the one considered "The man".

Bida Si Mister, Bida Si Misis couple Maricel Soriano and Cesar Montano speak of how at home they are working on Mr. M’s set. Maricel has found a father in the multi-awarded director. Dating back from their Kaluskos Musmos days, she remembers how he would call her Ate Cel and talk to her about her family problems.

Even now that he has a lot more things in mind, Johnny still finds time to ask Maricel how she is before the start of every taping.

"I want him to be understood by those who don’t know him, that the true Mr. M is a father to all. I hope others would see the real loving Mr. M," she reveals.

ASAP Mania’s Kuh Ledesma, Vina Morales and Zsa Zsa Padilla are amazed at his brilliance in coming up with ideas way ahead of his time. Kuh is proud at how the director knows a lot about lighting and set design. Zsa Zsa recalls the time when he encouraged and helped her pursue a solo singing career. He eventually directed her first major concert at the Araneta Coliseum.

"There was a time, I couldn’t forget, I had surgery for my scoliosis in 1994. He sent me a letter, which was really very encouragng. Bagong opera ako pero I wanted to jump up and down ‘coz I was really happy, very thoughtful", Zsa Zsa shares.

MTB hosts Edu Manzano, Randy Santiago, John Estrada and Ai-Ai de las Alas admire Mr.M’s professionalism. Edu credits his first solo hosting job (Not So Late Night With Edu) to Mr. M’s guidance. Edu says he owes a lot of who is he today to Mr. M.

"If the taping is stopped because of other things, it’s okay with him. But if it is stopped due to the artist’s lack of preparation, rest assured he’ll talk to you in one corner, which should be the case," Edu recalls.

Randy had worked with Mr. M in his "Eyes Series" concerts in the ’80s.

"Only he sees things in certain aspects. I also call him Superman because of the enormous workload he carries," Randy says.

John is lost for words in describing the man he considers his father in ABS-CBN. He discovered that Mr. M can be cool like anybody but hard as steel if the need arises. In one of their shows abroad, John came across Mr. M’s lighter side in a rare night-out.

"Nakakagulat! Imagine Mr. M in the same table having fun with us. He can carry our jokes and be just one of the boys. That for me is an experience," John muses.

Ai-Ai agrees because she learned some jokes from Mr. M too. But she is quick to point out that she doesn’t need to be told to behave on his set because the director’s mere presence says he means business. She hopes he constructs more buildings to shelter more artists of Talent Center.

Klasmeyts’ Bayani Agbayani feels blessed to be one of the artists directed by Mr. M because he knows many want to work with the in-demand director.

These stars agree that there are not enough words to describe the important role Mr. M has played in his 20 years in the industry.