Charles Teves
Newly-singed Kapuso Johnny “Mr. M” Manahan shares his journey from being an ABS-CBN legend to becoming a part of the GMA Network.
Manahan left ABS-CBN last year because things became so different and decided to sign with GMA Artist Center to work as a consultant. He said that some of his “friends” at the network convinced him to consider transferring.
“Last year I was working as a freelancer at gumawa kami ng mga shows para sa channel 5. After finishing several shows, I thought mag-reretire na ako,
“Some friends of ours in channel 7 asked if we were interested,” he said during a media conference when asked what led him to his decision.
He contemplated retirement but doing nothing in his home wasn’t something Manahan wanted to do.
“But ‘andun yung itch whenever I think about it. It’s hard not doing anything. Lalo na sa pandemic, wala ako magawa sa bahay,
“We go where there is work, where we are respected, and they seem like really nice people, so everything came together,” he said.
GMA Network’s offer to him was tough to refuse, making signing on the dotted line much easier.
“I think yung mahirap tanggihan yung offer nila. Magana ‘eh. Nilatag nila yung mga gagawin ko at natuwa naman ako sa plano,
“So that was [an] easy thing to do,
“We talked and maganda naman ang nilatag nila. In a way, I could not refuse that offer,
“After a certain point, it was so easy to say ‘yes,‘” he said.
However, his move to GMA isn’t something new as Manahan decades ago worked for the network.
“First thing I did in GMA is singer ako. Meron akong folk song. Kumanta kami sa isang programa kay Uncle Bob [Bob Stewart],
“And of course, working with my mother in her talk show,” he shared.
