Mr. M on stars getting bashed for changing networks: 'We should all wish them luck'

It's surprising to hear that after over 50 sterling years in showbusiness, Johnny Manahan a.k.a. "Mr. M" does not believe in "network wars."

The renowned starbuilder and director, who just signed with GMA Network on Tuesday, was asked to weigh in on the issue of Filipino celebrities getting bashed online for deciding to change networks.

"When that happens, many bashers use social media, and their idea is for somebody to stay forever in one network," Mr. M told GMA News Online.

"I personally don't believe in the network wars, you know? I don't know how that happened. Long ago, wala namang gano'n. We could go from one station to another — directors, stars — and wala naman masyadong masamang mga messages," he added.

"But now, bigla ang daming mga bashers." 

[I don't believe in the network wars. I don't know how that happened. Long ago, there wasn't such a thing. Artists, directors could go from one station to another and they weren't met with negative messages.] 

Mr. M has overseen ABS-CBN's talent management arm Star Magic for many years before leaving the network in 2020.

He described his contract signing with GMA Network on Tuesday as a "coming home of sorts," since he previously worked on shows under Channel 7 before the Martial Law era.

When it comes to working in the entertainment industry, Mr. M said he sees himself as a "gypsy" and believes many actors share this sentiment as well.

"[Ang] mga artista kasi, katulad ng sinabi ko, parang gypsy 'yan eh. They go where the work is. They go where they are appreciated. They go where they are respected, and kapag wala ang isa, dalawa, sa gano'ng bagay, then they think about jumping over the wall," he said.

[Like I said, artists are like gypsie. They go where the work is. They go where they are appreciated. They go where they are respected. When one or two are missing, then they think about jumping over the wall.]

"And I wish them luck. Everybody should wish them luck," he added.

GMA Network has welcomed several well-known names to the Kapuso family this year, including Bea Alonzo, Beauty Gonzales, and Pokwang. — LA, GMA News