How Mr. M works his magic

MANILA, Philippines - Media and technology are major influences of today’s young people so much so many of them aspire to become models, singers, TV and movie stars. This may be why dozens of starry-eyed hopefuls flock to the Star Magic office every Tuesdays and Thursdays to try their luck in the open auditions for a chance to be part of ABS-CBN’s prestigious stable of talents. But before that dream of theirs can turn into reality, they have to make it past one man  none other than the legendary Johnny Manahan himself.

Manahan, fondly called Mr. M by those lucky enough to be taken under his wing, is the man behind the success of every Star Magic artist. Under his watchful eye, ordinary teens like Piolo Pascual, Bea Alonzo, Angelica Panganiban and John Lloyd Cruz were transformed into the leading men and women who now banner ABS-CBN’s top-rating shows. With the numerous careers he has helped launch, many question, how does he do it? What special power does Mr. M have that enables him to look at a diamond in the rough and see the brightness within?

That may be an overly dramatic description, but it’s true. Mr. M has that rare gift that everyone who is in the business of managing and training wannabe superstars should have: The ability to spot a person with the X-factor.

The thing about Mr. M and his gift is that the criteria on which his decisions are based remains a mystery. No one, not even the many handlers and road managers he works with to build his talents’ careers, knows exactly what traits a person has to have for Mr. M to give him or her that stamp of approval. Mr. M would rather let his track record  the many stars whose careers he has guided over the 20 years that Star Magic has been in existence  speak for itself. Mr. M is like a magician who knows how to capture the viewer’s attention through his artists while keeping the trade secrets well hidden up his sleeve.

As he celebrates another year in his life today, the magic continues.