German Moreno

German Molina Moreno, also known as Kuya Germs or the Master Showman (4 October 1933 – 8 January 2016), was a Filipino television host, actor, comedian and talent manager (star-builder).

Early life

His parents were Jose Moreno y Caloy (Pepe), a Spanish Filipino Mestizo, and Aurora Molina.^[1] He had one sister, Pilar Moreno Nite.^[2] His father died after an incident involving an American soldier. Moreno first worked for an aunt's taxi company and also sold bibingka, peanuts, and cigarettes. He became a jeepney barker.^[3]

Personal life

He had an adopted son named Federico Moreno. His grandson Luis Moreno is an archer.^[4][5][6] His nephew, John Nite is also a TV host on Walang Tulugan with the Master Showman on GMA 7.

Career

Early career

Moreno became involved in the entertainment industry working as a janitor and telonero (curtain raiser) of Clover Theater in 1957. His first break was a role as Jesus Christ for the Manila Grand Opera House. He later went on to pursue a career as a comedian of the bodabil stage and the post-war screen.^[7]

Later career

In 1963, Moreno took his comedy act to Sampaguita Pictures, the home of biggest stars at that time such as Dolphy, Panchito, Gloria Romero, and Susan Roces.^[8] He hosted a premiere night at the Life Theater but refused Nene Vera-Perez's attempt to pay him and instead asked for movie roles instead. Moreno then had roles in the movies Dance-O-Rama, Mga Batang Iskwater, Class Reunion and Mga Batang Bakasyunista. It was in his Sampaguita stint where he met his longtime co-host Ike Lozada.

Moreno also became a disc jockey as Eddie Ilarde's sidekick in the radio program "Ngayon Naman" on CBN. In 1969, he transferred radio stations to DZTR as a pinch-hitter for Helen Vela, Bingo Lacson, and Ben David. Moreno would then be given his own timeslot from 11pm to 12mn for "Bisita Artista", "Music Factory", with Lozada and Inday Badiday and the famous "Guy and Pip Song Festival". In the last decades of his life, he would host his own hour-long show on dzBB during weekdays at 2:30pm.^[9]

Moreno's biggest break came on television in the late 1970s when he became host of the Sunday noontime variety show, GMA Supershow (first known as Germside and Germspesyal). He eventually became the host, starbuilder and producer of That's Entertainment, a youth-oriented variety show developing the biggest stars in the Philippine entertainment industry. He was also known by giving gift packs from the show's sponsors to every guests of his programs.^[7] Aside from his hosting stints in two GMA shows, Moreno also hosted Superstar, a Sunday musical-variety show of Nora Aunor, co-hosted with Jograd dela Torre. He was also the host of a late-night show entitled Walang Tulugan with the Master Showman.^{[10][11][12][13]} He is also the close friends of Aunor.^[14]

Moreno also produced TV films such as Kung Mayroon Mang Pangarap, Ganti, Sa Paglinaw Ng Tubig, Ikaw, Ako at Ang Awit, Dalawang Ina, Dalawang Pag-ibig, Larawan ng Isang Ina, and Ina.^[9]

He is the founder of the Eastwood City Walk of Fame in Quezon City, Philippines, patterned to the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood, California. Since 1996, FAMAS started to give out the Youth Achievement Award, named after him. The German Moreno Youth Achievement Award is given to a batch of young stars that have exemplar performances in the motion picture industry.

It was followed by the German Moreno Power Tandem Award in 2014 by the Philippine Movie Press Club, recognizing the most phenomenal love teams in Philippine television.^[15] He was also the former president of Katipunan ng mga Artistang Pilipino sa Pelikula at Telebisyon (KAPPT). He also endorsed prominent brands such as Vaseline Shampoo and Dazz Diswashing Paste.

In April 2013, Moreno celebrated his 50th anniversary in the Philippine entertainment industry with a tribute special entitled "50 Years With The Master Showman" at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resorts World Manila, Pasay City. The special was attended by Moreno's "anak-anakan"'s (his discoveries) throughout his five decades in showbiz.^[16]

Health and death

Moreno suffered a mild stroke on 2 January 2015. His condition improved soon after, according to his son Federico Moreno. Few months later, he returned to Walang Siyesta! and Walang Tulugan.^{[17][18][19][20]}

One year later, he suffered another stroke.^[21] He was rushed to the St. Luke's Medical Center in Quezon City on 8 January 2016, where he died on the same day at 3:20 a.m from cardiac arrest according to his nephew John Nite.^[22] He was 82 years old.^[23][24] He was buried in Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina.^[25]

Filmography

Television

Film

• Moron 5.2 The Transformation (2014) Last film appearance
• Kung Fu Divas (cameo) (2013)
• D' Kilabots Pogi Brothers Weh?! (2012)
• Talo, Tabla, Panalo (2012)
• Moron 5 and the Crying Lady (2012)
• "Tween Academy: Class of 2012"(2011)
• Adela (2008)
• Paupahan (2008)
• M.O.N.A.Y (Misteyks obda neyson address Yata) ni Mr. Shooli (2007)
• Binibining K (2006) .... Kuya Germs
• Mga Batang Bangketa (2006)
• Pelukang Itim: Agimat ko Ito For Victory Again (2005)
• Hustler (2002)
• Basta Tricycle Driver... Sweet Lover (2000)
• Ayos na ang Kasunod (2000)
• Sinaktan mo ang Puso Ko (1998)... Movie Director
• Frats (1997) .... Dean Valdez
• Madaling Mamatay, Mahirap Mabuhay (1996)
• Yes, Yes, Yo Kabayong Kutsero (1992)
• Silang mga Sisiw sa Lansangan (1988)
• Takot Ako Eh! (1987)
• Ready, Aim, Fire (1987)
• Topo Topo Barega (1987)
• Payaso (1986)
• Bulaklak ng City Jail (1984)
• Give Me Five (1984)
• Palengke Queen (1982)
• Burgis (1981)
• Ibalik Ang Swerti (1981)
• Kape't Gatas (1980)
• Dyesebel at Ang Mahiwagang Kabibe (1973)
• Sisid, Dyesebel, Sisid (1978)
• Mga Mata ni Angelita (1978)
• Pinakasalan ko Ang Ina ng Aking Kapatid (1977)
• Minsa'y Isang Gamugamo (1976)
• Relaks Lang Mama, Sagot Kita (1976)
• Wanted: Ded or Alayb (Agad-agad) (1976)
• Memories of Our Love (1975)
• Somewhere Over the Rainbow (1974)
• Anak ng Aswang (1973)
• Super Gee (1973)
• Winter Holiday (1972)
• Kung May Gusot, May Lusot (1972)
• My Blue Hawaii (1972)
• Guy and Pip (1971)
• Fiesta Extravaganza (1969)
• Halina Neneng Ko (1969)
• Sayonara My Darling (1968)
• Bahay Kubo, Kahit Munti (1968)
• Juanita Banana (1968)
• Magic Guitar (1968)
• May Tampuhan, Paminsan-Minsan (1968)
• Order ni Osang (1968)
• Bus Stop (1967)
• Bikini Beach Party (1967)
• Jamboree '66 (1966)
• Ay Ay Naku Neneng (1966)
• Portrait of My Love (1965)
• Kumander Judo (1964)
• Ang Senyorito at Ang Atsay (1964)
• Fighting Waray sa Ilocos (1964)
• Mga Batang Iskwater (1964)
• Mga Bata ng Lagim (1964)
• Dance-O-Rama (1963)

Radio

• DZTR Music Factory (1970s)
• Balitang Artista (DZBB) (1989-1997)
• Master Showman sa Dobol B (Walang Siyesta!) (1997–2016) (Last Radio appearance)

Awards

• Winner, Best Supporting Actor for "Paupahan" - 2009 FAMAS Awards
• Winner, Ading Fernando Lifetime Achievement Award - PMPC Star Awards for TV (1993)
• Winner, Best Variety Show Host - PMPC Star Awards for TV (1988, 1991, 1993 & 1994)
• Winner, Special Citation Award - PMPC Star Awards for TV (2013)
• Winner, Best Supporting Actor - PMPC Star Awards for Movies (2009)
• Posthumous Award Winner for Entertainment Excellence & Star Builder - GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards (2016)

References

External links

• German Moreno at the Internet Movie Database