Johnny Manahan, also known as Mr. M, will be returning as director of the Filipino Music Awards (FMAs) on October 6 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. The renowned TV and concert director and talent manager will be staging the major performances and award-giving segments for the second iteration of the prestigious night for OPMOPMShort for Original Pilipino Music, the broad body of songs written and performed by Filipino artists, from kundiman and folk ballads to rock, pop, and hip-hop. OPM is a cornerstoneGo to OPM Glossary, having seen it through in its inaugural run last year.
Before Manahan became a big name in the entertainment industry, he was a known visual artist among the awardees of the third batch of the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ (CCP) Thirteen Artists Award in 1972. Through this connection to the CCP, he frequently collaborated with artists, including Alice Reyes of then the CCP Dance Company, which later became Ballet Philippines.
He’s always been fascinated by dance and found ways to integrate his art practice into it. Meanwhile, show business has been a constant presence in his life as his mother, the prominent high society figure Elvira Ledesma Manahan, hosted the talk show, Two for the Road, and her own eponymous musical variety show. It is in this environment where a young Mr. M learned the ropes.
Manahan’s directing career dates back to 1972, when he helmed his directorial debut, Jesus Christ Superstar. At the time, he had no formal reference beyond the album itself, relying on repeated listens to piece together how the stage production should unfold. Soon, he became known for his eclectic staging choices, combining multiple disciplines into a digestible feat of entertainment that captivated the masses.
From there, Manahan went on to direct massive concerts for both local and international artists, most notably Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli’s Manila debut in 2004, and Gary Valenciano and Martin Nievera’s first collaborative concert, AS 1, in 2009. That same year, he was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Philippine Movie Press Club in recognition of his decades-long contribution to both television and film.
As a television director, Manahan served as a resident director under ABS-CBN Corporation from 1986 until 2020. During this time, he co-directed Home Along Da Riles in 1992, starring Dolphy and Nova Villa, and Richard Loves Lucy in 1998, starring Richard Gomez and Lucy Torres. He also co-founded the talent management agency Star Magic alongside Freddie M. Garcia and Charo Santos-Concio, an outfit that would come to define Philippine show business for decades.
Beyond directing, Manahan is widely regarded as one of the industry’s most respected talent managers, credited with discovering and developing stars such as Piolo Pascual, John Lloyd Cruz, Bea Alonzo, Diether Ocampo, and Angelica Panganiban, among many others who would go on to become household names.
In November 2025, Manahan joined TV5 as head of Talent Development. Today, he helms some of the network’s flagship variety programs, including the OPMOPMShort for Original Pilipino Music, the broad body of songs written and performed by Filipino artists, from kundiman and folk ballads to rock, pop, and hip-hop. OPM is a cornerstoneGo to OPM Glossary fan-interactive show Vibe.
Last year, Manahan directed the inaugural Filipino Music Awards hosted by model Joey Mead King, actors Michael Sager and Elijah Canlas. Mr. M borrowed from his extensive portfolio of definitive variety shows and groundbreaking concerts that wowed generations of Filipino viewers to bring OPMOPMShort for Original Pilipino Music, the broad body of songs written and performed by Filipino artists, from kundiman and folk ballads to rock, pop, and hip-hop. OPM is a cornerstoneGo to OPM Glossary’s biggest night to life.
This year’s FMAs will be no different with Mr. M on top of production. Still, the night’s highlights will include the Grand and Genre Awards alongside People’s Choice Awards and Legacy Awards. The ceremony also boasts performances by Gary Valenciano, rappers Flow G and Skusta Clee, rockRockA guitar-driven genre that grew from rhythm and blues in the 1950s and splintered into countless styles, from punk and metal to alternative. With a long history of rebellion andGo to Rock Glossary bands Parokya ni Edgar and Kamikazee, and P-pop groups BGYO, ALAMAT, G22, VXON, and KAIA, among others.
Frequently Asked Questions
Johnny Manahan, also known as Mr. M, is a renowned TV and concert director and talent manager who will be returning as director of the Filipino Music Awards on October 6 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Manahan’s directorial debut was Jesus Christ Superstar in 1972, which he directed using only the album as his main reference material.
Manahan co-founded the talent management agency Star Magic alongside Freddie M. Garcia and Charo Santos-Concio.
Manahan is credited with discovering and developing stars such as Piolo Pascual, John Lloyd Cruz, Bea Alonzo, Diether Ocampo, and Angelica Panganiban, among many others.
Manahan is a known visual artist among the awardees of the third batch of the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ (CCP) Thirteen Artists Award in 1972.
Recommended Video
