Following a controversial period in his storied career as veteran star maker and creative TV genius in 2020, Johnny Manahan shelved plans to go into retirement and accepted GMA Network's offer to work as consultant for their talent management arm. On July 13, the 74-year-old director and image builder signed an exclusive contract with the Kapuso Network, saying he is eager to begin his duties at GMA Artist Center.
It can be recalled that Manahan had long been a key figure in ABS-CBN - GMA's toughest and most persistent rival - where he is hugely credited for turning the network's homegrown talents into many of the country's biggest stars today. He did so by co-founding and running ABS-CBN's talent training division, Star Magic, for close to 30 years, until he stepped down from his post in 2020 following the network's loss of franchise in Congress.
No less than the media giant’s triumvirate — Chairman and CEO Felipe Gozon, President and COO Gilberto Duavit, Jr., and Executive Vice President and CFO Felipe Yalong — welcomed GMA’s new prized talent.
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