Kuya Germs’ “Walang Tulugan” is a show that has been running for two decades on GMA Network.
Through German’s Moreno dedication and sincere desire to help newcomers, especially young stars, the late evening Saturday show remains on air amidst the challenges it faces and the fact that it earns nothing.
During the recent three-hour necrological service for German Moreno, rarely seen stars from the Kapamilya station were able to set foot on the premises of GMA Network. ABS-CBN stars such as KC Concepcion, Shaina Magdayao, Eric Santos, and Gary Valenciano, who sang one of Kuya Germs’ favorite songs “Send In the Clowns”, paid their last respects to the Master Showman.
Executives of GMA Network, including Atty. Felipe Gozon, Atty. Gilberto Duavit and Joel Jimenez, the son of Menardo Jimenez, paid tribute to German Moreno. The three recognized the exemplary contribution of Kuya Germs to the entertainment industry and his unwavering loyalty to the Kapuso station.
During the emotional eulogy, Moreno’s only son Federico extended his heartfelt thanks to the top executives of GMA Network who supported and loved his father.
Abante columnist Jojo Gabinete quoted Federico as saying, “Huwag na tayong maglokohan. (Let’s not fool ourselves.)” as he referred to the non-earning Walang Tulugan that has been running for two decades now. “These gentlemen really loved my father. Wala hong kinikita ‘yung show, eh. Wala talagang kinikita (The show is earning nothing. No earnings at all), but they believed in my father. They wanted him to continue helping other people, helping stars, or build stars, that’s why the show is still running after 20 years.”
Federico shared his father’s story that during the time of Menardo Jimenez, the latter asked Gozon to take care of Kuya Germs. “Did you know that the commitment of the station to my father is his salary for a lifetime?” Federico added.
“That’s how much these people took care of my father. Till na-stroke siya, suweldo pa rin. Sabi nga niya ‘Puwede pala ako na magpa-easy-easy lang.’ (Until the moment he had a stroke he still got his salary. My father even said that ‘I can just take it easy.’)
“My father is known as a star builder and I can proudly say that most of the stars in the industry came from him or started with him, but now, I will share with you why he was successful in doing that. Because every child has a dream and my father was the one to ignite the talents of each and every one of those kids. Because he believed that every child that dreams deserves to be given the opportunity to achieve his dream. That was the secret of my father,” Federico said.
After the necrological mass on January 14, 2016 the remains of Kuya Germs were finally put to rest at the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina. People in the entertainment industry, family, and followers of Moreno were sad at his demise.
