In the Man behind Star Magic tribute for Johnny Manahan, love team LizQuen—made up of Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil—relived their early days in showbiz.
Liza recalled her early days in showbiz and noted that she used to wear heavy make up.
“I started with Star Magic when I was 13 years old. Sobrang kapal lagi ng make-up ko. Kasi, I thought that was normal,” Liza narrated.
She then revealed that Mr. M once called her into his office to have her make up removed and told her to value her simplicity.
“So pinapatawag ako ni Mr. M to remove my make up because he told me that I should value my simplicity as it is. He told me that I should learn to be confident kahit na may wala akong make up. He taught me to love myself,” said Liza.
As for Enrique, he relived when he started in showbiz with no background in acting, singing, or dancing.
“So syempre going inside, ako galing lang akong freshman college wala pa kong background sa acting, sa singing at dancing as in wala talaga. Tapos yung mga kasama ko dun puro mga theater actors.”
Then, Enrique narrated the exchange between him and Mr. M when he pulled him aside and asked him if he wanted to become an artist.
“Di ka marunong sumayaw? Can’t sing? Can’t act? You can’t do anything?” asked Mr. M.
“Yes po,” Enrique replied.
“You want to be an artista?,” Mr. M pressed on.
“Okay lang po,” Enrique answered.
“It’s okay. You can learn. I’ll help you,” said Mr. M.
In celebration of Johnny Manahan’s 50th anniversary in show business, artists of the talent arm Star Magic relived their memorable moments with Mr. M and then, how he helped shape their careers.
Juan Ledesma Manahan or just Johnny Manahan is a film and television director, actor, and writer who is best known for managing artists under Star Magic.
