Sleepless with Kuya Germs

MANILA, Philippines - GMA 7’s longest-running variety show on late-night Saturdays (or, should I say “super early Sunday morning”?), Walang Tulugan with the Master Showman, marks its 18th year with a month-long celebration.

Starting tonight, Walang Tulugan viewers will witness big stars like Pilita Corrales, Dulce, Jose Mari Chan and Jed Madela perform on the show.

“Every time we celebrate our show’s anniversary, we always invite guests and we have prepared some surprises. Even the set (design) you might say siguro ang laki ng gastos namin sa set ng Walang Tulugan,” said host German “Kuya Germs” Moreno during the pocket presscon held recently at the 17th floor of GMA Network. Also present were his co-hosts (whom Kuya Germs calls his “mga anak-anakan”) John Nite, Shirley Fuentes, Sharmaine Santiago, Jake Vargas, Hiro Peralta, Aki Torio, Arkin del Rosario, Ken Chan and Jak Roberto. 

Kuya Germs thanked the management of GMA, especially chairman and CEO lawyer Felipe Gozon, for the support all these years.

“Without Atty. Gozon, hindi kami makakaabot ng 18 years. I owe them (GMA Network) my unending gratitude sapagkat ‘yung pag-respeto po sa akin hanggang ngayon ay damang- dama ko.”

Kuya Germs is also thankful that Pinoys abroad support Walang Tulugan. “We’re very lucky that the show is rating good even if we don’t have commercials.”

When GMA Pinoy TV was launched abroad, Walang Tulugan was one of the Top 5 shows kababayan liked to watch, he said. “Until now, the support is overwhelming. Sinasabi sa atin na No. 1 sa abroad ang Walang Tulugan.”

Dubbed as showbiz’s Starmaker, Kuya Germs has helped launch the careers of many of today’s most popular celebrities like Sharon Cuneta, Nora Aunor, Vilma Santos, Dawn Zulueta, Lea Salonga, Piolo Pascual, Jojo Alejar and Manilyn Reynes. Until this day, he never gets tired of giving a wannabe the chance to enter showbiz.

The Master Showman said that his “pag-tanaw ng utang na loob” to the people who helped him along the way visibly shows his humility regardless of his status in the showbiz industry.

“That’s what I have been telling  them (anak-anakan) that ‘whoever you are, always remember that you wouldn’t be where you are kung hindi dahil sa mga taong gumagabay sa atin.’”

According to Kuya Germs, he doesn’t play favorites. “Ever since That’s Entertainment, hindi ko ugali ‘yung may favoritism. Kung meron man sa kanila ang mas umaangat it’s because they are determined and disciplined. So if you want to be successful, you have to work hard for it.”

And the secret to Kuya Germs’ staying power in the biz?

“Being respectful and professional sa larangan ng pagiging artista. It’s not about the value from what you earn but what you can contribute to the industry.”

Meanwhile, Kuya Germs finds his relaxation by watching TV or musical shows or going on movie marathons of MGM classics and other old movies. “Sometimes, I sleep for four hours only at minsan napuputol pa, when I wake up I’ll play Candy Crush for awhile, and then I’ll sleep again.”

Asked if he wishes for anything more even with his numerous achievements, Kuya Germs replied, “I have always prayed that ‘sana kung may mas marami pa akong magagawa, dito muna ako sa mundong Kanyang nilikha para maipagpatuloy ko ang legacy na ibinigay N’ya sa akin.’”