Kuya Germs Home for his last parade

CEBU, Philippines - A galaxy of the brightest and biggest stars, TV personalities and media executives gathered January 13 at GMA Network to pay their last respects to the Master Showman German “Kuya Germs” Moreno to honor his life of love, loyalty, and passion.

Hosted by Dingdong Dantes and Jean Garcia, the necrological service for Kuya Germs was overwhelming with memories and fondness for the beloved showbiz icon.

From his humble beginnings as a janitor in Clover Theatre, to his thriving career in Sampaguita Pictures, up to his ground-breaking variety shows in GMA including “Germside,” “Germspesyal,” “GMA Supershow,” “That’s Entertainment” and “Walang Tulugan with the Master Showman,” Kuya Germs became the industry’s star builder extraordinaire because of his hard work, integrity, perseverance, and most of all, love for his craft.

He was a well-loved pillar of the Philippine entertainment industry and throughout his highly-celebrated career, he was truly the epitome of a loyal Kapuso as he spent almost five decades of his showbiz life at his second home, GMA Network.

Expressing his admiration and testifying to Kuya Germs’ loyalty was GMA Network Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Felipe L. Gozon. “I cannot imagine a broadcast network without Kuya Germs. But I think Kuya Germs will appreciate more if we keep his legacy alive by loving and nurturing show business with all our hearts and minds and with utmost sincerity.”

“Mahigit na 45 years si Kuya Germs dito sa Kapuso Network. And in most of my dealings with him, in my capacity as CEO, we were often guided only by a gentleman’s agreement. Kuya Germs is not a man who needed written contracts. I could not help but admire how he was driven by trust; trust that people will always be good-hearted and live up to their commitments. Kuya Germs was also all about loyalty. May mga unos man kaming pinagdaanan noon, hinangaan ko ang kanyang pagiging mapagkumbaba at ang kanyang likas na pagmamahal sa GMA. His humility truly made him a person larger than life,” said Gozon.

Proving as well how Kuya Germs was a man of humility and generosity were eulogies from his close friends including Gilberto M. Duavit Sr., Joel G. Jimenez, GMA Senior Vice President for Entertainment TV Lilybeth G. Rasonable, First Vice President for Program Management Jose Mari Abacan, Marichu “Manay Ichu” Maceda of Sampaguita Pictures, Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno, and Cecilio Pedro of Lamoiyan Corporation.

Though in deep sadness, Kuya Germs’ family led by his son Federico, grandchildren Jorell, Francheska, Raffy and Gabby, niece and family matriarch Dr. Vivian Nite dela Cruz, and nephew John Nite also expressed their gratitude to the people who paid tribute to Kuya Germs and shared their fondest memories of their Papa.

“I think everybody knows that he is a hardworking person. Monday to Sunday he works and that’s how dedicated my father was, and that’s how he loved his professions because he prayed for it, he asked for it. Every single opportunity that he got, he took care of it, he loved it, he gave his all. He is a generous man. Wala na siyang ibang inisip kung hindi kami: pamilya, kaibigan, and his contemporaries. My father is known as a star-builder and I can probably say that most of the stars in the industry came or started from him. But now I will share to you why he is successful in doing that. Every child has a dream. My father would be the one to spark that light. He believes that for every child that dreams, they deserve to be given that opportunity to achieve their dreams. That is the secret of my father,” said Federico.

For his valuable contributions and loyalty to the network, GMA management presented a posthumous plaque of appreciation and recognition to Kuya Germs.

Celebrating the colorful life that Kuya Germs led, performances were also delivered by Gary Valenciano, Christian Bautista, The Company, Gerphil Flores and Dulce.

A funeral Mass was held January 14 at GMA-7 before he was laid to rest at the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina. Regine Velasquez-Alcasid rendered a heartfelt song during the Mass.  (FREEMAN)