From left to right: Barbie Forteza, Julie Anne San Jose, and Dingding Dantes
Given the opportunity to choose which GMA 7 stars he would like to collaborate with for the first time—or again—in the future, Johnny “Mr. M” Manahan said three names come to mind: Barbie Forteza, Dingdong Dantes and Julie Anne San Jose.
Manahan described Barbie’s screen presence as “magnetic.” “There’s Miss Klay—Barbie Forteza. Tuwang-tuwa ako watching her in ‘Maria Clara at Ibarra.’ She’s small, but her acting makes it seem like she’s 10-feet tall. She’s one of the people I would like to work with,” he said in a virtual conference.
Manahan, who’s currently a consultant to GMA Sparkle Artist Center, also directs the ongoing singing contest “The Voice Generations,” where Dingdong and Julie Anne are host and coach, respectively. Still, the veteran star-maker and television director said he would like to work with them on different projects.
Major talents
Johnny “Mr. M” Manahan —GMA PINOY TV/FACEBOOK
“I first directed Dong for a small section of a clothing brand’s big annual event in the past. He’s a fine actor. I followed his work and he’s good. But as a host, I had never seen him on a constant basis until now, so I was surprised. He’s one of the finest hosts you can have today. His presence encompasses the whole studio,” he said. “But I would like to work with him on something else in the future,” he added.
With Julie Anne, Manahan would like to do something music-related, but different from her special musical trilogy “Limitless.” “Gusto kong gumawa ng ibang kalokohan,” he quipped. “She’s a major talent. And when you hear her voice, especially her alto or her low notes, they’re just so beautiful,” he said. INQ