German Moreno


German Molina Moreno, also known as Kuya Germs and "The Master Showman", was a Filipino television host, actor, comedian and talent manager.

Early life

Moreno was born to Jose Moreno y Caloy, a Spanish Filipino mestizo, and Aurora Molina, a Filipina. He had one sister, Pilar Moreno Nite. 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 also became a jeepney barker.

Personal life

He had an adopted son named Federico Moreno. His grandson Luis Moreno is an archer. His nephew, John Nite is also a TV host on Walang Tulugan with the Master Showman on GMA Network.

Career

Early career

Moreno became involved in the entertainment industry working as a janitor and telonero 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.

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. 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.
Moreno's biggest break came on television in the late 1970s when he became host of the Sunday noontime variety show, GMA Supershow. 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. 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. He is also the close friends of Aunor.
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.
He is the founder of the Eastwood City Walk of Fame in Quezon City, Philippines in December 1, 2005, it's patterned and also similar 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. He was also the former president of Katipunan ng mga Artistang Pilipino sa Pelikula at Telebisyon. 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 throughout his five decades in showbiz.
On March 24, 2014, Moreno established the GMA Network's Walk of Fame, outside the GMA Network Center, with over 190 celebrities and news & public affairs personalities received the plaque.

Health and death

Moreno suffered a mild stroke on January 2, 2015. His condition improved soon after, according to his son Federico Moreno. Few months later, he returned to Walang Siyesta! and Walang Tulugan with the Master Showman.
One year later, he suffered another stroke. He was rushed to the St. Luke's Medical Center in Quezon City on January 8, 2016, where he died on the same day at 3:20 am from cardiac arrest according to his nephew John Nite. He was 82 years old. After his death on January 8, his remains arrived at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Shrine. On January 9, his show Walang Tulugan with the Master Showman was aired as a live tribute. He was buried in Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina after being brought to GMA Network Studios.
After his death, his show Walang Tulugan with the Master Showman ended on February 13, 2016. A special tribute concert entitled "The Master Showman's Final Bow" was aired on February 26, 2016; the comedy show Bubble Gang was preempted to give way for the tribute concert.

Legacy and tribute

Following his death in 2016, The German Moreno Power Tandem Award still continues up to the present day.
At the GMA Network Studios in Quezon City, The German Moreno Studio was inaugurated in honor of his legacy and in tribute to his 85th birthday on October 4, 2018, with families, relatives, friends and the staff of GMA Network paying tribute. The German Moreno Studio currently houses the daily afternoon game show Wowowin.

Filmography

Film

Radio