THE MASTER Showman
GERMAN Moreno has left Philippine show biz profoundly bereaved, especially those privileged enough to have their careers and lives nurtured by him. In his passing, many of them felt that the world of entertainment lost not only a revered actor, television host and talent manager, but a mentor, friend and, more importantly, a second father.
One of the hardest hit by “Kuya” Germs’ death on Friday was Manila Vice Mayor and “That’s Entertainment” member Isko Moreno, who said he owes a lot of the things he’s enjoying right now to the industry stalwart.
“It was him who opened doors for me and gave me a break… I didn’t know how to sing or dance, but he took a risk on me. And that was what helped me pull my family out of poverty,” Isko—in a phone interview with the Inquirer—said of Kuya Germs, who succumbed to cardiac arrest at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City.
Isko, who last visited Kuya Germs in December, related that he had been trying his best to see the veteran artist as much as he could, after the latter suffered a stroke last January. “When I visited him then, he was asleep, so I just stayed. While his son, Federico, and I were chatting, he woke up, and the first thing he did was ask how I was doing,” he recalled.
“There he was in a hospital bed, but he was the one expressing concern. He was very caring person. That’s why he was well-loved by everyone,” Isko said, adding that Kuya Germs had given him a lot of valuable advice and life lessons throughout their 23 years of friendship.
“There were things that he always used to say that have stuck to me: That I should always be professional. It’s always better to wait than have everyone else wait for you; stay loyal, don’t be complacent and save up—one day, there will be someone younger, more talented and better-looking than you are.”
For GMA 7 actress Andrea Torres, it was that sensitivity to people that made him an exceptionally wonderful person. “He served as a father and mentor. I will never forget how warm he was! He had a ready smile and sincerely showed that he was interested in what you have to say,” she wrote on her Instagram account. “He always had time to listen.”
Kuya Germs showed the same kindheartedness and graciousness no matter who he was dealing with, said Siquijor Vice Gov. Dingdong Avanzado. “He was always supportive of everyone, regardless of stature. He had a heart for the little people in the industry—and a deep passion for showbiz,” he told the Inquirer.
Dingdong, who was part of “That’s” Tuesday group, had Kuya Germs as one of his wedding godfathers. “He was one of my closest friends and everyone’s father,” he said. “What’s even more special was that he was able to maintain his relationships with us through the years!”
One of Kuya Germs’ newer and younger wards, Ken Chan of the series, “Destiny Rose,” broke down in a television interview, as he was talking about the surprise his manager had been planning for him for his coming birth anniversary this month. “His son, Federico, told me that Tatay was proud of me,” he said in between sobs. “You changed my life and I’m so lucky you were part of it!”
Shirley Fuentes of the Friday group was orphaned and had no siblings, and so had always considered Kuya Germs as her parent. “I won’t forget a single thing… I was just 15 when I started in ‘That’s,’ and he was a part of all the things I’ve been through, all the ups and downs—he saw them all,” Shirley, a cohost in “Walang Tulugan with the Master Showman,” said.
Chuckie Dreyfus of the Wednesday group, meanwhile, reminisced on his Facebook page about spending quality time with his wife and Kuya Germs in Greenhills, just chatting until the closing of stores. “You were my first father here in show biz. You took care of me. I learned a lot of things from you—and when I did something wrong, you were there to talk some sense into me,” he said.
Billy Crawford, another member of Tuesday group, described Kuya Germs—his discoverer—as the most “generous, selfless, genuine father” anyone could ever ask for.
“Pa, I don’t know where to begin. You’ve always been there when I needed you the most,” Billy said in an emotional message in his Instagram account. “You’re one of the reasons why I’m still here in this industry you loved so much.”
And though they had their share of misunderstandings along the way, they also “laughed, cried, sang and danced on the same stage for so many years!” the singer added. “You will always be my father, and I, your makulit na adopted son!”