Mr. M wants to develop a new breed of Kapuso artists
Johnny “Mr. M” Manahan will continue building and developing stars now that he is officially a consultant to the Kapuso Network’s GMA Artist Center. His expertise — and magic — in shaping talents and making their careers viable will be seen again. Mr. M is always ready to develop a new breed of stars.
“Yes, I am a consultant to the Artist Center,” said the famed star-maker of his new post and career milestone in a virtual media call. “As of now, I’m not going to do any directing, just consulting with the Artist Center and entertainment.”
After the big reveal with a teaser that read “A Pillar in Philippine Entertainment is Making a Move,” posted on the GMA Network social media accounts a day before, the former head and co-founder of ABS-CBN’s Star Magic is getting himself familiarized with the GMA Artist Center system by looking at its set-up. “But overall, I suppose, what we want to do is to develop a new breed of GMA artists and a new breed of ambassadors of GMA,” said he. “Yun ang main goal. But the immediate thing is just to see how we can work with that GMA team, kung ano ang kailangan nila, kung ano ang hihingin nila sa amin. If we can do it, of course, we are the consultants, that’s what we want to do eventually, (to) develop a new breed of Kapuso artists.” When he says “we,” Mr. M is referring to his team in charge of carrying out the task.
“Bago lang kami ngayon,” he added. “We just (came) and we hope to meet with the artists one by one or groups… meron na kaming idea on what we want to do to certain people. I don’t want to say what it is now. Katulad nang sinabi ko, we want to develop a new breed of GMA artists.” What’s clear is Mr. M will help in the management and development of GMA Artist Center’s roster of young stars. He is taking on the role of building the careers of up-and-coming stars from the ground up.
Although the veteran stars have known already what they want to pursue in their careers, Mr. M will also be available to guide them in improving their foothold in showbiz.
“(The) established (stars) medyo alam na nila kung ano yung gagawin nila, alam nila kung anong dapat,” said he. “I want to get to know these people also and become friends with them. That’s what I hope to become, friends with (the) artists and friends with the people behind the scenes.” By doing so, he implied, it will lead to a certain magic among people, who work together, and create “nice results.”
Part of his responsibilities are to look into issues of styling, imaging and marketing the artists better. The younger stars will create the persona and image that are authentic and bearing the stamp of glitz and glamor.
With this latest development, GMA stars like Heart Evangelista, Benjamin Alves, Rayver Cruz, Pokwang, Iya Villania, Khalil Ramos, Jackielou Blanco, Gabbi Garcia, Rocco Nacino, Yasmien Kurdi, Kyline Alcantara and Kelvin Miranda, welcomed Mr. M and expressed their excitement on social media. Also joining them were Cassy and Mavy Legaspi, Winwyn Marquez, Gil Cuerva, and directors Gina Alajar, Joey Reyes and LA Madridejos (of First Yaya).
Prior to his becoming a Kapuso consultant and after leaving ABS-CBN, Mr. M recalled that he worked freelance and did shows for TV5 last year. After that, he even entertained the idea of retiring from doing TV but “nanduon yung itch whenever I think about it. It’s hard not doing anything, you know, lalo na sa pandemic. Wala akong magawa sa bahay.”
Good thing was, some friends from GMA brought up the idea of him working again. “Sabi ko, ‘Sige, let’s talk’ and that happened. We talked, maganda naman ang nilatag nila. In a way, I could not refuse that offer. It’s work, I go where there’s work, where people need us… After certain points, it was so easy to say yes.”
His post at GMA Artist Center will also allow Mr. M to give his inputs on which stars will be assigned to a certain teleserye.
“They have a very good system na, maganda na ang latag ng sistema nila,” he said of the artist center, whose day-to-day operations are being managed by senior assistant vice president for Alternative Productions Gigi Santiago-Lara and GMA Artist Center assistant vice president and head for Talent Imaging and Marketing Unit Simoun Ferrer. “But they gave me a wide scope.” Mr. M, as he put it, will be happy to help.
“Parang nabuhay ako ulit,” said Mr. M when asked about the “second wind” in his career, “I have this passion for training artists, for, you know, bringing up these young artists, at gagawin namin ang lahat para umusbong ang kanilang mga personalities, mga authentic self nila.” He considered this milestone a nice reset, in which he banks on his rich experience, and hoped that it will be a fruitful and joyful ride for both GMA and him.
The star-maker-director started his TV work in GMA during martial law. At that time, the network then had only two studios.
“I’m glad na parang naka-balik din ako, parang bilog na yung circle of life, kung tawagin,” said Mr. M.
As for the possibility of other Kapamilya stars to transfer to GMA and Bea Alonzo’s decision, Mr. M said, “Di ko masasagot ngayon eh, alam naman nila kung ano ang gusto nilang gawin. But we’ll never know. Katulad ni Bea, nagkataon lang na gusto niyang lumipat. Hindi naman kami nag-usap… For the others, ang sinasabi ko parati kailangan pag-isipan nila kung saan talaga ang gusto nila, and to find work where people can appreciate (them), abangan na lang natin yun.”
During the media conference, Mr. M also gave his pieces of advice to newbies, who dream to make a name for themselves in the entertainment industry. “I think, first of all, for qualities, perseverance, you know, they should make up their minds,” said he, who cited work realities such as working long hours, waiting around on the set and the intrigues being hurled at them. “That’s what they have to examine. They should love their craft.” That’s the one thing, added Mr. M, that will help them surpass troubled times and go on.
Mr. M also acknowledged the role of magic or luck in a talent’s or everyone’s destiny.
“As far as I’m concerned 60 percent yun,” said he. “We train them… kung paano sila lumakad, paano sila umarte, paano sila mag-project sa publiko, sa press… but in the end, talagang magic yan. Parating sinasabi ko, ‘Magic yan.’ Yung magic parang luck yun. If you’re in the right place at the right time, timing yan.”
Mr. M, the star-maker, has just restarted his journey to discover new talents and mentor them in reaching their potential and peak.
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