Johnny Manahan recalls early beginnings on GMA Network

BY Robert Requintina
Jul 15, 2021 07:57 PM

Star builder and director Johnny Manahan is now a certified Kapuso!

 
Many may not know it, but star builder and director Johnny Manahan was a former Kapuso long before he joined other broadcast networks.
 
 
 
"I'm not exactly a stranger to GMA. Long time ago, GMA-7 was known as Channel 7 and I worked on many shows there and also a lot of musicals. So this is like a homecoming of sorts, and I am very proud,” said Johnny, also known in showbiz as Mr. M, during a Zoom conference with the entertainment press recently.
 
 
 
Mr. M recalled he sang at the Uncle Bob Lucky 7 Club show on GMA-7 in the 1970s. The children's show was hosted by American entrepreneur Robert Stewart who founded the Kapuso Network on Mach 1, 1950.
 
 
 
"I was a singer when I started on GMA-7. I sang in the 'Uncle Bob Lucky 7 Club' show," he said.
 
 

GMA Network welcomed “Mr. M” during the virtual contract signing ceremony held last Tuesday, July 13.

 

Executives present at the contract signing were 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, Inc. 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.

 

 
Mr. M said he is delighted to be officially part of the Kapuso Network.
 
 
 
“I'm very happy that Atty. Gozon and the rest of the executives have given me this chance, an opportunity to work with GMA-7 and become a Kapuso. I am very happy with that," he said.
 
 
 

Johnny Manahan with GMA Network executives

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.

 

Atty. Gozon, in turn, expressed his excitement in welcoming Mr. M to the Kapuso 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.”

 

Mr. 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, Mr. Yalong shared his admiration for the newest Kapuso, “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.”

 

Indeed, these are exciting times as Mr. M finally starts his journey as a Kapuso.

 

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.

 

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