THE Philippine entertainment industry was full of sadness last week when veteran actor and TV host German Moreno passed away last Friday, January 8 at the age of 82.
Fondly called Kuya Germs, it was his nephew, TV host John Nite, who confirmed the news through a statement released to the media. According to John, his uncle died due to cardiac arrest.
The rest of the statement also said:
“He passed on in the company of his family and friends.
“He lived a full life, touched so many hearts through the years, and helped make dreams come true for most the biggest stars in the Philippine entertainment industry.
“We are deeply saddened by his passing but we are comforted by the through that his legacy will live on.”
It was only last year when Kuya Germs had a mild stroke and was hospitalized. After a few weeks, he went back hosting his radio program and his weekly late night show, Walang Tulugan With The Master Showman. However, it became apparent to many that his health was deteriorating. Being a professional, he continued to attend showbiz functions and events even when he was in a wheelchair.
German Molina Moreno was born on October 4, 1933 and first worked for an aunt’s taxi company when his Filipino-Spanish father, Jose Moreno y Calvo passed away after an accident involving an American soldier. To further help his mother, Aurora Molina and sister Pilar, he also sold bibingka, peanuts, cigarettes, and became a jeepney barker.
His involvement in the entertainment industry started as a janitor and curtain raiser at the Clover Theater in Manila in 1957. His first break was a role as Jesus Christ at the Manila Grand Opera House, and later on pursued a career as a comedian on stage and the post-war screen.
From there he brought his comedy act to Sampaguita Pictures, where he met his longtime co-host Ike Lozada. He also became a disc jockey, working for big names such as Eddie Ilarde, Helen Vela and Ben David.
However, his biggest break was on TV, when he became host of the Sunday noontime variety show, GMA Supershow in the 1970s, and eventually became the host, star builder and producer of That’s Entertainment, a youth-oriented variety show that discovered and kick started the careers of many well-known stars today.
Kuya Germs has been a father figure to many of the stars he has discovered and worked with, including the Philippine Superstar Nora Aunor and Megastar Sharon Cuneta.
To the family of Kuya Germans, our deepest sympathies. He will be truly missed.
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Another icon in the TV industry has died over the weekend as well. Cielito “Mahal” del Mundo passed away last Saturday, January 9 in Phoenix, Arizona at the age of 80.
Although Cielito was more known for being one of the anchors of the longest-running public affairs program Kapwa Ko, Mahal Ko on GMA, she also was an actress. Among the films she was in included Langit Pa Rin Kita (1967), Basta Bisaya (1970) at Mga Ibong Pipit (1984).
It was Cielito’s niece, Marites Martinez-Guevarra who confirmed the news through a radio interview last Monday, January 11.
According to Marites, her aunt was already confined in a hospital in Phoenix after a heart attack and died four days after. She also added that Cielito’s body will remain in the US.
