Former members of “That’s Entertainment” reunite at the Salu restaurant in Quezon City. (Photos courtesy of MARK ANTHONY)
Inarguably, “That’s Entertainment” was the pioneer of star-producing youth-oriented shows. It gave birth to the careers of most of today’s most enduring actors.
As it nears its 31st anniversary on Jan.6, its stellar graduates are set to reunite once more to relive the glory days of their youth and commemorate its founder, the late star builder, German “Kuya Germs” Moreno.
Even before Jan. 6, over half of program’s former members gathered to reconnect and reminisce about the good times of the show.
The reunion happened in Quezon City, at Salu restaurant, which is owned by couple Romnick Sarmenta and Harlene Bautista, fellow “That’s Entertainment” members.
Among the former members who graced the event were Vina Morales, Piolo Pascual, Ruffa Gutierrez, Ara Mina, Nadia Montenegro, Jennifer Sevilla, Ramon Christopher Gutierrez, Dranreb Belleza, Jean Garcia, Karla Estrada, Tina Paner, and Sharmaine Arnaiz.
Sarmenta, Bautista, and singer and Thursday group member Mark Anthony recently sat down for an exclusive interview with Inquirer.net to give the beats on the upcoming anniversary of “That’s Entertainment”.
“Yung katatapos na reunion nagsimula nung nagkita kami sa wake ni Isabel [Granada],” Bautista, a former Monday group member, said. “Bago nangyari yung ‘di inaasahan kay Isabel, huli kami nagkita-kita last year, kay Kuya Germs naman. Parang lagi na lang ganitong sitwasyon pag nagkikita. So nag-usap-usap kami na mag-set na ng reunion para mas festive naman ‘yung atmosphere.”
“Saka ‘yung first intention lang talaga was to reconnect,” Sarmenta, who belong to the Wednesday group, added. “Pangit kasi yung magkikita kita kayo na dahil lang.. [someone had passed on]. It is for us to become closer again and reminisce as a family.”
True to the spirit of genuine friendship, the celebration would not be as commercial as how they normally did back in the day. It will only be a simple gathering which the members plan to do for a cause.
“Wala naman talagang big event na magaganap for the anniversary,” Bautista said. “If ever, siguro mag ce-celebrate lang kami ulit ng get-together. You’ll see more of ‘That’s Entertainment’ this 2018.”
“If ever, we will do anything that’s commercial in any way we would like to honor the memory of Kuya Germs – and every other member of ‘That’s Entertainment’ – by making sure that commercial event would be beneficial to someone else. Charitable event ‘yun,” Sarmenta said.
“We are not talking with any network, because it’s not going to be a show. It’s going to be us getting together,” he added.
The phenomenal youth-oriented program ran for a decade from 1986-1996. Back then, viewers were glued to their TV sets as the afternoon ended because “That’s Entertainment” was about to air. The program, created by Kuya Germs, catapulted the careers of more than a hundred hopeful teenagers into superstardom.
“‘That’s Entertainment’ was the beginning of everything,” said Anthony. The US-based musician said it was just surreal to be a teen star during their time as the love of fans was just so overwhelming.
Moreover, much of the success of the show was because of its unique design. Their productions were mostly spontaneous, done on the spot. They simply did whatever Kuya Germs asked them to do.
This developed the members’ versatility and flexibility – allowing them to sing, act, or dance.
“‘That’s Entertainment’ was an on-going workshop on air,” Sarmenta said. /atm