MANILA, Philippines – As people in and out of showbiz continued to mourn the death of German "Kuya Germs" Moreno, his son Federico shared what kind of a father, uncle, and grandfather he was to the family.
In an interview with reporters during the second night of Kuya Germs' wake at Mt Carmel on Saturday, January 9, Federico said his father would always ask where he was and if he had eaten already.
"Paano siya maging tatay? Tatawag siya, 'O anak, kumain ka na ba?' Sa tanghali tatawag siya uli, 'O lunch na, kumain ka na ba?' Sa hapon tatawag ulit, 'Nasaan ka na?' Sa gabi, tatawag ulit, 'O nasa bahay na ako, tulog ka na.' With that, we would know how he is as a father," he said.
(How is he as a father? He would call and ask, 'Have you eaten?' At noon, he would call again and say, 'It's lunch already, have you eaten? In the afternoon, he would call again and say, 'Where are you?' At night, he would call and say, 'I'm home already, go and sleep now.' With that, we would know how he is as a father.)
Federico described Kuya Germs as a caring and loving father, as well as a fantastic uncle and grandfather.
"He’s so selfless. He would rather share than spend for himself. All of us, tayo may luho (we have vices). He collects, but hindi siya magarbo (he's not ostentatious)....He drives a very simple car, lives a simple life. He’s so selfless," he said.
If there's one thing he learned from Kuya Germs, it would be the loyalty he showed not only to GMA7, his home network, but also to everyone.
"Loyalty, he’s so known for and pakikisama (getting along with others), which is [what] he’s also known for. What’s so nice about him is he doesn’t have to utter any word. His actions will speak for itself."
Federico admits that as an only son, it will not be easy now that his father is gone, but he will do his best for the family.
"He’s such as caring person. He cares for everybody. He has left a legacy that I hope me, my family, will be able to, kahit (even) in a way, be able to continue. We will really try our best because in the family, we’re not showbiz people. And the legacy he left in the industry is so incomparable," he said.
On January 8, Kuya Germs died following cardiac arrest. In January 2015, he suffered a stroke, and took a leave to undergo therapy. He was last seen during the 2016 GMA 7 New Year Countdown.
Many celebrities have expressed their sadness over his death, saying it will be a long time before someone like Kuya Germs comes again. (READ: Dawn Zulueta, Coco Martin, stars remember Kuya Germs)
Kuya Germs paved the way for many of today's popular stars through his shows, such as GMA Supershow and That's Entertainment. Prior to becoming a star maker and actor, Kuya Germs was a utility worker.
Before his death, Kuya Germs hosted Walang Tulugan with the Master Showman, a late-night variety show. – Rappler.com
More on German Moreno
- Imelda Marcos on Kuya Germs: 'His legacy will be with us forever'
- Dawn Zulueta, Coco Martin, stars remember Kuya Germs
- Billy Crawford opens up about previous 'tampuhan' with Kuya Germs
- John Nite on what he'll miss most about Kuya Germs
- John Nite: 'It will never be the same without Kuya Germs'
- A great loss, Kuya Germs was a second father to me – Isko Moreno
- Stars mourn death of German 'Kuya Germs' Moreno
- German 'Kuya Germs' Moreno dies