John Nite hopes for 'Walang Tulugan' to continue

MANILA, Philippines - What will happen to German Moreno's late night program "Walang Tulugan with the Master Showman" now that he has passed away?

During the necrological service at Studio 7 at the GMA-7 Network complex in Quezon City on Wednesday, Moreno's nephew John Nite said he hopes the long-running program is given a chance to continue even after Kuya Germs' death.

"Walang Tulugan with Master Showman" is Kuya Germs' last program with the Kapuso network before passing away earlier this month. The show has been running since 1997 and features over 70 young stars and talents as co-hosts.

READ: IN PHOTOS: Marian, KC, other stars pay final respects to Kuya Germs

In his eulogy, John said Kuya Germs was happy when GMA-7 decided to continue airing "Walang Tulugan" even after he suffered from a stroke January last year.

"Marami pa rin siyang gustong gawin," said John, who served as the main show of the program during the months Kuya Germs was absent from the program after his stroke.

"At one point nasabi n'ya, 'Paano kaya kung mawala ako, paano yung mga bata?' And I don't know how to ask him. Sabi ko nga, 'You know, you don't have to prove anything. You can stop now, rest and just enjoy. Pero hindi, e. Ang huling pag-uusap namin, noong January 6, showbiz pa rin."

John added that Kuya Germs is proud of "Walang Tulugan," especially after it has produced the likes of Jake Vargas, Ken Chan and Hiro Peralta and other young stars who attained mainstream success after appearing in the show.

He even quipped, "Twenty years na po kaming nagfe-feature ng mga sintunado, ng mga pangit, nagkakamali magsayaw-sayaw."

"Pero proud siya d'un kasi yun po ang tatak ng Kuya Germs. Hindi structured, hindi perfect. Talagang accepted yun ng crowd," John added. "Tayong mga entertainers, kapag merong basbas ni Kuya Germs proud tayo, di ba? Kapag dumaan ka kay Kuya Germs, ibig sabihin star ka na."

John admitted Kuya Germs was worried about the fate of the show even before his passing but added that it is beyond his control.

"Confidentially, yun talaga ang worry n'ya e. Kasi, paano pag nawala? Sa 60 or 70 people, young kids," he said.

John added: "His memory will linger. Sana mabigyan tayo ng chance to continue."

READ: Isko Moreno: I'm nobody, but Kuya Germs gave me opportunity

"Puwede tayong maiwanan in the middle, pero someone has to continue it," John said. "We don't ask forever, but just have something for the kids. I guess that's his legacy."

"We're really startled by his passing, but his memories would still linger," John added.

Kuya Germs was laid to rest at the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City on Thursday.