Stars applaud Kuya Germs’ 50th year in the biz

GERMAN Moreno, the Master Showman with the Midas touch

What would local show biz be without our beloved Kuya Germs (German Moreno)?

Today he marks his 50th anniversary in the industry with a grand bash at Resorts World Manila. His rags-to-riches story is truly phenomenal. I can’t help getting nostalgic because my late great mom (Inday Badiday) and Kuya Germs rose to fame together. I remember the time when my mom, Kuya Germs and Kuya Ike (Lozada) were being packaged as a “love triangle.” I had to call my mom “Ate Luds” whenever we were in public until one day I slipped and said, Ate Mommy. That squashed their love team drama. If my mom were still around, I’m sure she would gladly host Kuya Germs’ celebration gratis et amore.

To pay homage to him, I asked some celebs about their fondest memories of the Master Showman. Thank You, Kuya Germs for loving us all like your own.  Happy golden year to the Master Showman with the Midas touch!  It’s not all for show though because when Kuya Germs backs you up, he does so even long after the camera has stopped rolling.

Vilma Santos:  Even if Kuya Germs is a Noranian, he never said anything bad about me. He always treats me like a friend and for that I truly appreciate him as a person.

Amalia Fuentes: Kuya Germs was kind to me and Liezl when he helped us with the promo of my daughter’s launching movie, “Ibulong Mo sa Puso.” Just like Ate Luds, there was no

KARYLLE: He made me see what I couldn’t.

financial gain on his part. They did it out of the kindness of their hearts.

Martin Nievera: When I look back at my almost 31 years in this very unpredictable business, I see many blessings. With every blessing, I see hits and misses. But how did it all start? Who gave me the time of day? Who gave me my first pair of wings? Kuya Germs! I owe my everything to him, aside from my very first exposure in a cameo role for his movie, “Payaso.” I will never forget my first guesting on his “GMA Supershow” (Sunday noontime TV program). He made me feel like a superstar! He answered questions I could not answer by teaching me my first few Filipino words. He makes us all feel like we are that shining star the world has been waiting for. I will never forget all the things he has done not just for me, but for numerous dreamers like me.

Lani Mercado: Kuya Germs is a big part of my life. From the time Bong courted me until we got married and had kids and grandchildren, he never left my side. He’s a part of our family. When Bong and I go through trials, we turn to him for advice. No special occasion in our family’s life will ever be complete without him around. We love him dearly.

JACKIELOU Blanco: He welcomes everyone with an open heart.

Karylle:  As a kid, I would always see Kuya Germs in my dad’s clinic at Virra Mall. Since he’s a big movie fan, he would always go to Cardinal Audio (near my dad’s clinic) and visit us. Since mama’s “GMA Supershow” days, he had been continually asking when I would start coming out on TV. He introduced me to Tita Bella Tan and got me my first recording contract. He’s the sweetest man you’ll ever meet… I’m thankful to him because he played a big part in my career. But more than that, I’m thankful that he loves our family and that he always believed in me. He made me see what I could not see.

Jackielou Blanco: I picked up my hosting skills from Kuya Germs. I was 14 then and he took a chance on me not knowing if I was really capable (of hosting). He trained me as we went along. He welcomes everyone with an open heart, with a heart that believes everyone has a chance to succeed. When I started, I would host with my back to the camera. He told me, “Hija face the camera!” I consider him my father in the biz and I love him with all my heart. I thank him for his love for me and my whole family.

Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan: When Kuya Germs invited me to be part of “GMA Supershow,” it was a dream come true. That was the beginning of my show biz career and the rest, as they say, is history.

Ara Mina: He’s really like a father to me. When I started doing sexy roles, he talked to me and showed his concern. He would always make sure that I didn’t let my studies suffer (because of my career).

Niño Muhlach: I’ll never forget him because we did about 15 films together, and  our “That’s Entertainment” days. We were together in the Actors Guild board. I was so touched when he

JOJO Alejar: I asked him to play my dad in a skit.

gave me my star at the Walk of Fame.

Jojo Alejar: They wanted me to play Billy Joe Crawford’s dad in a skit and I said, kuya na lang huwag na daddy kasi glamour boy pa ako noon, poging poging pa eh. They were insistent and pinipilit nila so I said I’d only do it if Kuya Germs would play my dad and Billy Joe’s lolo… So it ended with me playing kuya lang to small cute boy Billy Joe. Hahaha!

Ogie Alcasid: Kuya Germs will always be the King of TV. He is always generous with his giveaways even at a time when talent fees were unheard of.

Rufa Mae Quinto: When I auditioned for “That’s,” di ko makanta ’yung song. Sabi n’ya it’s OK. Being an artista is not all about singing kasi maganda ako at maputi so tanggap ako.  Hahaha!