Juan "Johnny" Ledesma Manahan (born February 11, 1947), also known as Mr. M, is a Filipino film and television director, actor, talent manager, screenwriter, and media executive. He is known for scouting and managing actors, having been served as VP and managing director for ABS-CBN's Star Magic (formerly Discovery and Talent Center) and head of ABS-CBN Studios until 2020, as well as the former senior vice-president of ABS-CBN. Manahan worked as a consultant for Sparkle, GMA Network's talent management arm, until 2025.
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Early life and education
Manahan was born as Juan Ledesma Manahan on February 11, 1947, in Bacolod, Negros Occidental, Philippines. His parents were Dr. Constantino Perez Manahan and Elvira Ledesma Manahan, a socialite and television host (Two for the Road). Manahan attended high school at the Ateneo de Manila in 1964, and finished his studies at the University of California, Berkeley, AB Art History, in 1969.
Before becoming a director-manager, Manahan was a visual artist, painter, and sculptor. He received the "Special Citation" award at the Paris Biennale of Art in 1979.
Career
Manahan began his career directing for television soon after his studies around 1971. He was a freelancer and directed shows for the various local channels such as Two for the Road (GMA), For the Boys (IBC), The Big Big Show (BBC/City2), and Kaluskos Musmos (RPN). Right after ABS-CBN re-opened in 1986, he was appointed as a resident director at the network. He directed the leading shows of the history of local television, such as Chika Chika Chicks, Palibhasa Lalake, Tonight with Dick and Carmi, Abangan Ang Susunod Na Kabanata, and I Am What I Am.
Manahan's mother, socialite and actress Elvira Manahan was killed on October 14, 1986.
Manahan, together with Lino Brocka, Charo Santos-Concio, and Freddie M. Garcia who was then ABS-CBN executive vice president and general manager, established Star Magic to create a stable of new stars exclusively for the network in 1988 as Discovery. This gave birth to Talent Center. In its early years, the Talent Center's project was Ang TV. The show auditioned thousands of people and accepted chosen ones into the program. The series soon led to mall shows, live concerts, and record albums. It also became a springboard for the careers of Claudine Barretto, Jolina Magdangal, Camille Prats, Victor Neri, Angelica Panganiban, Carlo Aquino, Angelu de Leon, Sarah Geronimo, Geoff Eigenmann, Rica Peralejo, Gio Alvarez, and Paolo Contis among others. The Talent Center continued its search through the launching vehicle Star Circle in 1995.
On February 5, 1992, Manahan assisted lawyer Miriam Defensor Santiago in setting up the first national convention of her People's Reform Party at the Araneta Coliseum.
While he was busy discovering and developing new talent, Manahan continued to direct television shows, movies, concerts, and specials. In particular, he directed the first collaboration of Martin Nievera and Gary Valenciano, a major concert in September 2009 at the Mall of Asia concert grounds, as well as concerts of international singers Barry Manilow, Diana Krall and Andrea Bocelli in the Philippines.
He is the man behind the television coverage of the Miss Earth pageants, the Christmas and anniversary specials of ABS-CBN, celebrity weddings and debut specials, election specials, and many more. In addition, he also managed the grand world tours and concerts outside the country which includes ASAP '05 in the U.S. and Japan, Wowowee in Las Vegas, Chicago and Hawaii, and the Star Magic World Tour in Canada and the U.S., among others.
Legacy
Manahan was a mentor to a number of people who went on to become well-known in show business in the Philippines; among these are current and former ABS-CBN/Star Magic talents Piolo Pascual, Claudine Barretto, Jolina Magdangal, Marvin Agustin, Carlo Aquino, Camille Prats, Patrick Garcia, Darren Espanto, Paolo Contis, Angelica Panganiban, Sarah Geronimo, Sam Milby, Melai Cantiveros, Dimples Romana, Denise Laurel, Diether Ocampo, Rica Peralejo, Heaven Peralejo, Jerome Ponce, Baron Geisler, Jodi Sta. Maria, Bea Alonzo, Winnie Cordero, Andrea Brillantes, Enrique Gil, Kyle Echarri, Francine Diaz, Seth Fedelin, Andrei Felix, Geoff Eigenmann, Heart Evangelista, Kim Chiu, Gerald Anderson, John Lloyd Cruz, Nash Aguas, Sharlene San Pedro, Zaijian Jaranilla, Xyriel Manabat, Mutya Orquia, Raikko Mateo, Marco Masa, Heart Ramos, Jana Agoncillo, and Enzo Pelojero.
On March 16, 2024, a surprise 5 star-studded tribute party 'Night of 100 Stars' to ‘Mr. M’s 77th birthday on February 11, 2024, held at Newport World Resorts, became a multiple reunion of the nation’s top stars.
Filmography
Pre-resident director
from 1971 to 1986
As director
Film
Television series
Reality and variety shows
Specials
As an actor
Film
As a writer
Works