TV5 officially launched Star Worx, its newly rebranded talent management arm formerly known as MediaQuest Artists Agency (MQAA), as the network unveiled 16 new talents expected to help drive its growing entertainment division.
The launch was held May 5 at the TV5 Center in Mandaluyong City, where network executives and entertainment industry veterans introduced the agency’s first roster of artists, collectively known as the “StarWorx16.”
Leading the new venture is veteran talent manager Johnny Manahan, widely known in the industry as “Mr. M,” whose decades-long career helped shape some of Philippine entertainment’s biggest stars.
“We needed to elevate. We needed to revolutionize. We needed to evolve. And so we said, ‘We need a Mr. M.’ Thank you Mr. M for joining our organization and sharing your wisdom and vision. You are indeed a true living legend of star building,” Star Worx head Jeff Remigio said during the launch event.
Remigio said the agency’s journey began nearly two years ago, as MQAA, before executives decided to rebrand and expand its vision.
“We said we needed to have an artist agency that would support the basic needs and plans of the network organization. We want to be able to continue this dream and this mission. Today, I’m very happy to say that we have signed more than 50 artists from MQAA.
“We’re very proud of our artists today. Slowly but surely, they’re making a mark in some of the shows that we have,” Remigio said.
Among the agency’s early signees was actor Cedrick Juan, whom Remigio recalled convincing to join shortly after the success of the historical film “GomBurZa.”
“I told him, ‘Ced, please trust us. We will come up with something good for you.’ And it started from there,” Remigio shared.
The launch also served as the formal unveiling of the StarWorx16, a group of aspiring artists who underwent months of training beginning this January. Their workshops included acting, singing, dancing and Filipino language training.
The first batch includes Marthena Jickain, Carmela Lorzano, Celyn David, Kaitlyn King, Keisha Serna, Nathalie Apollo, Dahil Gatali, Selina Griffin, Steph Razon, Adam Buck, Ano Wilding, Chan Martin, Nico Matugas, Patrick Ballesteros, Spencer Capistrano and Wayne Leonard.
MediaQuest Holdings President and CEO Victorico “Ricky” Vargas said the company sees entertainment as a key growth area for the media group.
“Across our MediaQuest network, we have built strong pillars we can be proud of. We are number one in sports. In news, we continue to uphold the highest standards of integrity and professionalism. And through Cignal, we have created one of the most robust programming ecosystems in the country, spanning streaming, OTT and pay television,” Vargas said.
“Today, we turn our focus to where our next chapter is being written — entertainment. With ‘My Bespren Emman’ and ‘A Secret in Prague,’ we are seeing real promise. We are not quite there at full flight. We’re not yet in the air. But we are on the runway, building momentum. And we are preparing to take off,” he added.
Vargas said Star Worx represents MediaQuest’s long-term commitment to building its own roster of homegrown stars.
“A commitment not simply to follow what others are doing, but to define our own voice, our identity and our space in the entertainment industry,” he said.
At 79, Manahan remains one of the most respected names in Philippine show business, having previously led ABS-CBN’s Star Magic and GMA Network’s Sparkle. He guided the careers of stars including Bea Alonzo, John Lloyd Cruz, Piolo Pascual, Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla.
During the launch, Manahan reflected on his long-standing relationship with MediaQuest chairman Manuel Pangilinan and his decision to join TV5.
“Actually, Mr. Pangilinan and I already spoke about this maybe five years ago. Even when I was still with another network, our connection never really stopped. And we found ourselves together. I’m so happy because I feel so comfortable here at TV5, and I see many familiar faces here,” Manahan said.
Manahan also acknowledged the team behind his success as a talent manager, introducing several former colleagues who worked with him throughout his years in the industry.
“It takes a lot of people actually to create artists, to make stars. There are a lot of people working behind the scenes, and I was simply the one managing them. Of course, you work, you do the work, and then, as they say, ‘the magic happens’ and they become stars. You do the work, and with a little bit of luck and help from these people, they can become stars,” Manahan said.
The launch of Star Worx comes as TV5 continues strengthening its entertainment division amid increasing competition in the Philippine media industry. Executives expressed confidence that the agency, under Manahan’s guidance, could help develop a new generation of talents for the Kapatid network.
