A galaxy of the brightest and biggest stars, TV personalities and media executives gathered on Jan. 13 at GMA Network to pay their last respects to the Master Showman German “Kuya Germs” Moreno and 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 at Clover Theatre, to his thriving career in Sampaguita Pictures, up to his ground-breaking variety shows at 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 in his second home, GMA Network.
The service saw GMA Network’s top level officers – Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Felipe L. Gozon and his wife Teresa M. Gozon, former Congressman Gilberto M. Duavit Sr., GMA President and Chief Operating Officer Gilberto R. Duavit Jr., GMA Board Directors Joel G. Jimenez and Laura J. Westfall, GMA Films President Annette Gozon-Abrogar and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Felipe S. Yalong together with Kuya Germs’ family, friends, former colleagues in the media and the Kapuso community and other Network officers.
Expressing his admiration and testifying Kuya Germs’ loyalty, Atty. Gozon said, “Speaking for myself, 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 all our 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 gentleman’s agreement. Kuya Germs is not a man who needed written contracts. I could not help but admire by 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 mapagpakumbaba at ang kanyang likas na pagmamahal sa GMA. His humility truly made him a person larger than life.”
Proving as well how Kuya Germs was man of humility and generosity were eulogies from his close friends including Gilberto M. Duavit Sr., Joel G. Jimenez, 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 because 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.
Among the notable names in the industry who came to pay their respects to the Master Showman were Jessica Soho, Marian Rivera, Dennis Trillo, Manilyn Reynes, Alessandra de Rossi, Keempee de Leon, Derrick Monasterio, Thea Tolentino, Jake Vargas, Mikoy Morales, Carmi Martin, Alessandra de Rossi, Eddie Ilarde, Diva Montelaba, Bibeth Orteza, Rafa Siguion-Reyna, Louise delos Reyes, Celia Rodriguez, Vina Morales, Senator Bongbong Marcos, KC Concepcion, Erik Santos, Bela Padilla, Betong Sumaya, Denice Barbacena, Angeli Pangilinan, Joey Generoso, Ramon Christopher, Maricel Morales, Michael Angelo, Shaina Magdayao, Prince Villanueva, Rochelle Barrameda, Maritoni Fernandez, Lance Raymundo, Shirley Fuentes, and among many others.
Celebrating the colourful life that Kuya Germs led, performances by Gary Valenciano, Christian Bautista, The Company, Gerphil Flores, and Dulce.
A funeral mass was held on Jan. 14 at GMA 7 before he was laid to rest at the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina. Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez-Alcasid rendered a heartfelt song for the Master showman during the mass. Federico once again thanked all the people who paid tribute and supported his Papa throughout his career.
All the words that were said and the tears that were shed would not seem enough to gratify the profound love that they have for Kuya Germs.
Goodbye and good night, Kuya Germs!