The man behind the image

MANILA, Philippines - To many, Johnny “Mr. M” Manahan is seen as a stern taskmaster, disciplinarian and perfectionist. He built ABS-CBN’s Talent Management and Development Center (now called Star Magic). He launched the careers of dozens of stars — and you don’t achieve that kind of excellence or reputation in the industry without a bit of fear mixed in.

But ask the stars whose careers Mr. M has crafted, and they’ll be the first to tell you that behind that imposing height — 6’1” — and often severe expression is someone who genuinely cares for the stars under his care. He tries to be as hands-on as he can in matters relating to his artists. When they find themselves beset by some intrigues or other, he is quick to run to their defense. He takes a personal interest in what’s going on in their careers. He dispenses career advice like a father, but he does it with just the right amount of discipline to keep them in line. Sometimes he gets mistaken for being suplado, but it’s all in a day’s work for him. One thing you can say about Mr. M is that he knows how to strike the balance between being serious and being concerned.

Jed Madela, who is part of Star Magic and ASAP Rocks (also directed by Mr. M) admits the Star Magic mentor is a man of few words, and because of this he is often misinterpreted. But one thing is sure: He always has his artists’ best interests at heart.

 “Sometimes he gets misunderstood as stern and suplado. But he is actually the complete opposite. Though he may be strict, he is actually a funny guy. The best advice he has given me is to keep doing what I enjoy doing and give it my all. My happiness and satisfaction as an artist and as a person is what matters. The rest follows.”

Sabel star Jessy Mendiola is one of the young stars benefiting from Mr. M’s vast experience. Now that her career is on the rise, she welcomes the guiding hand he has extended. Jessy says Mr. M often tells her to stay focused on what she is doing. “Hindi lang siya masalita masyado. He’s the sweetest ever, and you can really feel he is a father to you. And even if he doesn’t talk, you know he is proud of you.”

But don’t think that he is all business. Sometimes, from out of the blue, he will say something to an artist that might be construed as cryptic, but which is valuable advice. AJ Perez remembers Mr. M telling him, after seeing some of his publicity photos, to “Smile, with teeth.” It apparently suited AJ better. The fact that AJ is now one of the network’s budding primetime male leads proves that it wasn’t just an offhand remark. Mr. M knew what he was talking about.

So whenever it is the artists’ turn to honor Mr. M — like this month, when he celebrates his birthday — they are quick to stand up and be counted.

 Mr. M’s instincts for what works and what doesn’t have been sharpened by more than 30 years in the business, many of which he spent as TV director. And if his past record in the industry — and the number of stars whose careers he helped launch and nurture — is anything to go by, Mr. M must be doing something right. And he’ll keep on doing it, for years to come.