MANILA, Philippines – German “Kuya Germs” Moreno wasn’t pleased when Billy left the GMA network for its rival, ABS-CBN in 2008, but the two were able to make up long before Kuya Germs’ death.

During the Master Showman’s wake on Saturday, January 9, Billy shared his experiences with Kuya Germs, who was his mentor in the ’80s afternoon variety show, That’s Entertainment.

On their “tampuhan,” Billy said, “Well yun yung isa sa fondest memory ko, kasi si Kuya Germs isa sa pinaka-professional and loyal na nakilala ko sa buong buhay ko, at nung nagkahiwalay kami ng landas sa ibang network and what-not, siyempre nagkatampuhan, si Pa ay di niya matanggap talaga.”

(Well, that’s one of my fondest memories, because Kuya Germs is the most professional and loyal person I’ve met in my life, and when we went on separate paths when it came to other networks and what-not, of course he wasn’t pleased, Pa couldn’t accept it.)

“Pero hindi niya rin natiis siguro ang pagmamahal niya sa anak niya so ayun, pinatawad niya ako at nag-guest ako sa Walang Tulugan at that time and ayun, yun yung isa sa pinaka-special moment namin.“

(But I guess he couldn’t resist his love for his adopted kids, so he forgave me, and I even guested on Walang Tulugan at that time and there, it was one of our most special moments.)

Billy guested on Kuya Germs’ Walang Tulugan With the Master Showman, a late night variety show, in 2011.

Billy saw Kuya Germs one last time before he died. He said that when he heard about Kuya Germs not being well, he texted Federico Moreno, Kuya Germs’ son.

“I got to speak to Pa right before he passed away, but of course hindi na siya (he wasn’t) responsive,” said Billy.

Missing the Master Showman

Billy also shared that he would always remember Kuya Germs, who he fondly calls “Pa,” for picking him up at the airport whenever he’d visit the Philippines.

Billy joined That’s Entertainment when he was 4 years old, but moved to the US when he was 11.

“Tuwing darating ako sa Pilipinas, siya yung sumusundo sa akin before. Tapos dire-diretso kaming breakfast niyan. Tapos ang gift niya sa ‘kin every time na nandito ako ay danggit,” Billy shared. “And si Pa, never niya ako kinalimutan sa birthday ko and laging tumatawag.”

(Whenever I’d visit the Philippines, he would always be the one to pick me up before. Then we’d go straight to breakfast. His gift to me every time I was here was salted fish. And Pa never forgot my birthday, he would always call.)

“Naging tatay ko siya sa industriya (He became my father in the industry), and off-cam. I mean, I was close to him and his family,” Billy added.

Billy said Kuya Germs’ being his second father is what he’ll miss the most, now that he’s gone.

“Wala nang tatalak sa amin, wala nang magsasabing, ‘Huy, anong pinag- gagawa mo? Mag-ingat ka diyan.’ Ganito ‘yung isang ama. ‘Yun ‘yung pinakamami-miss ko sa kanya. Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala, pero masakit. Masakit, sobrang sakit.”

(No one will reprimand us anymore, no one will say, ‘Hey, what are you doing? Be careful.’ A father. That’s what I’ll miss about him. I still can’t believe it, but it hurts. It hurts, it really hurts.)

Kuya Germs died on January 8 of cardiac arrest. He is known for hosting GMA Supershow and That’s Entertainment, and has appeared in many TV shows and films.

His interment will be held on Thursday, January 13, at the Loyola Memorial in Marikina. Before the interment, he will stay for a night at the GMA studio, as Kuya Germs remained loyal to the network. – Rappler.com