Given the volatile nature of fame in the industry, enduring friendships in showbiz are not only rare but also admirable.
That was the reason the10th anniversary of the talent management business, PPL Entertainment Inc., was so special to its founder, Perry Lansigan.
Perry made sure that PPL's celebration last September 9 overflowed with appreciation.
Aside from holding a thanksgiving mass officiated by Father Robert Laad of Franciscans of the Holy Spirit, at Romulo Cafe in Tomas Morato, Quezon City, there was also an outreach activity benefiting the DSWD Reception and Study Center.
Perry did not forget to thank the celebrities who have let him manage their careers, among whom are Dingdong Dantes and Gabby Eigenmann who spoke with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal).
Perry's speech summed up the formula to having a successful manager-talent relationship.
1. Communication is key.
The basic foundation of trust is having an open communication.
He said, “Nagpapasalamat ako sa lahat ng mga artists na nasa PPL hanggang ngayon. Sa mga artists also na naging bahagi ng PPL, maraming-maraming salamat.
"Taos-puso akong nagpapasalamat sa lahat ng mga artists na nagtitiwala pa rin sa PPL kasi isa yun sa mga bagay na napakahirap ibigay sa tao.
“For every one of you to trust me, to trust PPL, isang malaking bagay yun para sa akin at para sa kumpanya. Maraming-maraming salamat.
"Asahan ninyo na hindi man kami perfect, meron man kaming shortcomings, will try to fix it.
"Aayusin namin yun basta mag-usap-usap lang tayo. Walang hindi nadadaan sa magandang usapan.”
2. FindING the right people IS IMPORTANT.
Perry also recognized the staff members who have been with his company for ten years, and gave them tokens of appreciation.
3. FAMILY-LIKE SETUP builds good business relationships.
Dingdong and Gabby have been Perry's talents for 20 years.
Their manager-talent relationship is actually older than PPL.
Dingdong revealed his reason for staying with Perry all these years, "Parang kumbaga sa bata, grade 3 na. Naalala ko noong dati, konting-konti lang kami.
"Ngayon, mas lumalaki na ang pamilya. Pero kahit na sinasabing marami na kami, quality pa rin yung relationship ng bawat isa.
“Hindi siya yung isang malaking kumpanya na hindi na nagkakakitaan, hindi na magkakilala. Dito, we treat every one as family. Yun ang isa sa nagustuhan ko.”
Gabby, for his part, mentioned that Perry is not just his manager but also his kumpare.
"It’s hard to build trust sa industriyang ito. And Perry is not just a manager but a family to me. Very dear, full circle kami.
“Inaanak ko ang pamangkin niya, inaanak niya ang anak ko. So family talaga. I never really treat him as manager per se, family talaga.”
4. SOLID TEAM
Dingdong also put emphasis on having a close relationship with fellow talents.
“Oo, magkakasama kami sa trabaho, pero kumbaga, mas mahalagang dahilan why we’re coming together, pamilya namin ang isa’t-isa. We take care of each other.
"Tunay na malasakit, so yun ang pinakasusi kaya umabot kami ng ten years.”
At present, PPL has over 20 talents.
Apart from pioneers Dingdong and Gabby, also at the event were Jaclyn Jose; Max Collins; Mika dela Cruz; Paul Salas; Carlo Gonzales; celebrity couple Arthur Solinap and Rochelle Pangilinan; Wendell Ramos; Jolina Magdangal, and Jason Francisco, who came with wife Melai Cantiveros.
Among the other guests were PPL singers Agsunta and Zalia as well as newbie talents Dalia and Vera.
Gabby in his PEP.ph interview lauded Perry for being "matiyaga" as a manager.
“Well, I could say that kami ni Dong, we’re very honored kasi isa kami sa mga nag-pave way for Perry to put a stamp for being one of the most-sought-after manager in this generation.
“I have friends in the industry who would want to join this agency. Ano naman iyan, e, happy kami kasi solid kami.."