‘Paalam, Kuya Germs!’

How sad, Salve A., that we start our column today on a sour note.

Yes it’s all over town na “iniwanan” na tayo ni Kuya Germs, otherwise known as German Moreno.

Aminin nating malaking kawalan siya sa industriya ng showbiz considering the numerous talents he has discovered and somehow helped become the distinct and popular character that they still are.

To name some, Billy Crawford, who was only about five years old, when he joined Kuya Germs’ discovery show on GMA 7, That’s Entertainment, Ruffa Gutierrez, Piolo Pascual, Sheryl Cruz and, would you believe, Lea Salonga.

In his other show then, still for GMA 7, the Sunday noontime program, Germspesyal, nagsimulang mahasa ang pagiging magaling na hosts nina Gretchen Barretto, Jackie Lou Blanco, Maricel Laxa and Lani Mercado, currently the Congresswoman of Bacoor City at tatakbong Mayor of the same city in the coming elections.

Well, saludo kami, Salve A., sa GMA 7 sa pagpapahalagang ibinigay nila kay Kuya Germs to the very end of his life, kumbaga.

Pinanatili nila ito sa hanapbuhay na kay tagal niyang minahal via the program, Walang Tulugan with the Master Showman.

According to Aster Amoyo, a fellow entertainment columnist and who hosts a segment in Kuya Germ’s Walang Tulugan, where she, along with Kuya Germs, Shalala and John Nite, interviews celebrities, may advance taping sana sila sa for the show kahapon ng hapon.

Of course, we all know, madaling araw ng Friday (January 8) nang pumanaw si Kuya Germs.

We sympathize with Kuya Germs family, especially his son, Federico, manugang na si Shiela (elder sister ng actress-singer na si Vina Morales) at mga apo.

And of course, to all his young talents, na karamihan pa naman, umasang matutulungan sila ni Kuya Germs na matupad ang mga pangarap nilang sumikat.

Sana, GMA 7 will help mold them, the way Kuya Germs would have done. From them, puwedeng “maka-hugot” sila ng another Ding­dong Dantes, Ryan Agoncillo, Tom Rodriguez, Carla Abellana and Marian Rivera.

To Kuya Germs, farewell. We will pray for you.

Hermano Puli hindi pa rin natutuloy ang shooting

Now on a happier note. From Direk Arman Reyes, who was with the production team of the religious epic, INC’s Felix Manalo, we learned na tuloy na ang pagsasa-pelikula ng Hermano Puli, na entry sana sa katatapos na Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), kung hindi nga lang sana nag-back out ang original producer nito.

The film will still have Direk Gil Portes at the helm, with probably Direk Arman assisting him.

Direk Gil, still according to Direk Arman is still in New York, where his wife, Thellie (hi, Thellie, how are you), and two sons are based.

Direk Gil will be back today (January 9) as they will resume shooting for the movie, January 15.

Nasimulan na raw nilang mag-shooting December 8 and 9.

Hindi nga pala nabanggit ni Direk Arman if na-retain si Aljur Abrenica as lead actor of the movie.

Piolo at John Lloyd magkasama sa indie, Enrique pinayagan na rin sa indie

Don’t look now, but Piolo Pascual and John Lloyd Cruz are starring together in the indie movie, Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis, which Lav Diaz directs.

Two award-winning performers, Cherie Gil at Angel Aquino ay kabilang din sa cast. And, too, Alessandra de Rossi at Sid Lucero.

Meanwhile, confirmed nang pinayagan ng Star Cinema at ABS-CBN si Enrique Gil to topbill the indie flick, na ipu-produce ng TEN17P.

Wala pang exact title ang pelikula, although tiyak nang ang magdidirek nito ay si Direk Paul Soriano.

Yes, ang betterhalf ng host-actress na si Toni Gonzaga.

Enrique is currently busy, too, taping for his new series, Dolce Amor, with Liza Soberano as his leading lady and Direk Cathy Molina directing.