It was an extraordinary occasion for the Kapuso viewers as the much-anticipated celebration of the 50th anniversary of German "Kuya Germs" Moreno, entertainment icon and master showman, unfolded on April 27. 

The anniversary shindig, with Butch Francisco and Jean Garcia as red carpet anchors, was a most unusual evening of song, dance, film clips and drama. The night honored Moreno's five decades as television host, actor, comedian, director and talent manager.
Aside from the red carpet arrivals, the audience applauded the beginning of the event as personalities in the entertainment industry, from different networks, joined together in one stage.
Movie queens Gloria Romero and Susan Roces, Titanic Action Star and senator Bong Revilla, Megastar Sharon Cuneta, dramatic actresses Dawn Zulueta and Gina Alajar and Kapuso royals Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera gave heartfelt messages.
Adding stellar wattage to the celebration were Dennis Trillo, Gabby Eigenmann, Geoff Eigenmann, Carla Abellana, Benjamin Alves, Michael de Mesa, Leo Martinez, Lani Mercado, Phillip Salvador, Romnick Sarmienta, Harlene Bautista, Sunshine Dizon, Iza Calzado, Jolina Magdangal, Karylle, Andrea Torres, Jeric Gonzales, Thea Tolentino, Ara Mina, Max Collins, Mark Anthony Fernandez, Glydel Mercado, Jestoni Alarcon, Rochelle Pangilinan, Tim Yap, Ryzza Mae Dizon, Boots Anson Roa, Luz Valdez and many other Philippine showbiz celebrities of the past and present.
Kuya Germs applauded the various song and dance numbers.
Performers were Raymond Lauchengco, John Nite, Jackielou Blanco, Sheryl Cruz, Rachel Alejandro, Tina Paner, Glaiza De Castro, Janno Gibbs, Manilyn Reynes, Martin Nievera, Pops Fernandez, Ogie Alcasid, Vina Morales, Jessa Zaragoza, Jaya, Rachelle Ann Go, Julie Anne San Jose, Dulce, Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, Gary Valenciano, David Pomeranz, La Diva, Mark Bautista, Kempee de Leon, Frencheska Farr, Gian Magdangal, The Company, Carmen Soriano, Elizabeth Ramsey, Jolina Magdangal and Pilita Corrales.
Adding more groove to the program was the spectacular dance number headed by Mark Herras and Billy Crawford together with Alden Richards, Aljur Abrenica, Barbie Forteza, Bea Binene, Billy Crawford, Derrick Monasterio, Diva Montelaba, Down to Mars, Enzo Pineda, Jake Vargas, Janine Gutierrez, Joyce Ching, Julian Trono, Kim Rodriguez, Kris Bernal, Kristoffer Martin, Lexi Fernandez, Louise de los Reyes, Mark Herras, Mayton Eugenio, Sef Cayadona, Steven Silva, Winwyn Marquez, Yssa Muhlach and Yassi Pressman.
The Master Showman shed copious tears throughout the show that brought back his glory days and his triumphs, and his forever relationship with GMA Network.

Colorful life
German Moreno is often ribbed for mispronouncing "girls" as "gels." People smile and wonder how he got away with it all these years, murdering the English word's pronunciation with such nonchalance.
Also, the flamboyant suits he wore with great confidence during the reign of GMA Supershow were, without a doubt, a mark of more decadent times and the guilty pleasure of many.
Despite his reputed stature in the local showbiz industry, however, kibitzers would sometimes dismiss his comedic talent and hosting skills. To them, he continues to be the biggest alalay of the one and only Superstar, Nora Aunor, period.
Yet all these ruminations do not diminish the legend of Moreno. In fact, it lifts it to greater heights. Frankly speaking, if we look closely at how this survivor and veteran handled his career in Tinseltown, we unearth life lessons of great value.

Tenacity
From his modest beginnings as a telonero and janitor, sidekick and eventually the enviable master showman, Kuya Germs is the perfect example of a man who employed hard work (sipag) and perseverance (tiyaga) to realize all his dreams.
This potent combination, plus prayers and certainly luck, makes him literally a "man of steel."
"I want to share na itong showbiz, hindi lahat nakatawa,"quips the showbiz veteran. "May mararanasan din na pagsubok so you should be prepared. During my time in Sampaguita (Pictures), that is what Dr. Perez told me: 'Ihanda mo ang sarili mo at darating ang time na medyo masasaktan ka.' I told him then, 'Alam ko po yun, kaya nakahanda po ang sarili ko."

Loyalty
Recollect that in one GMA Supershow episode, he courageously dedicated a tribute to the Iron Butterfly, Imelda Romualdez Marcos. By showing that he is an honorary "blue lady," Moreno got his biggest showbiz flak. It was so politically insensitive of him to honor a Marcos, and Imelda at that, post-Edsa. The anchor of the hourly news that time could not contain her disgust; a rancid remark was said on air.
Further proof of his loyalty, staying with GMA 7 after the axing of his five shows in a year's time: "I asked the management if they still need me. They said 'yes' and asked me to stay. Tinanong nila sa ‘kin kung ano ang idea ko, so naisip ko ‘yung Master Showman. Doon siya pinanganak. Now, the late night Saturday show is 17 years old."
"Ten-thirty p.m. ang time slot ko; lahat nagsasabi na nobody is going to watch you anymore kasi tulog na ‘yung mga tao," the entertainment survivor shares. "The whole thing challenged me, na ‘yung oras na patay ay bubuhayin mo. Ngayon, every one says Master Showman is a success kahit gabing-gabi na siya."

Honesty
In any relationship based on trust and respect, brutal honesty is often called tough love.
Kuya Germs' tough love is most apparent in the enduring friendships he has nurtured through the years — he is a compadre and confidante of movie queens Gloria Romero and Susan Roces, and he is Megastar Sharon Cuneta's tatay of sorts as he guided, mentored and loved her since her bubblegum days to the present. The best example of this kind of love is, without a doubt, his on-again, off-again relationship with the tempestuous superstar Nora Aunor.

Generosity
Moreno always knew who to help, support and who to push for them to realize not only their potentials but their dreams. In his long career, Kuya Germs is known for having inspired and guided many stars today.
This was evident from the days of the immortal love team of Nora and Tirso Cruz III (he directed Blue Hawaii, Guy and Pip's first phenomenal movie team-up), to the heyday of the teen stars of That's Entertainment, to the lovely hosts of Germs Side, Germspesyal and GMA Supershow, and to this very day, his wards in Walang Tulugan with the Master Showman.
"Isang tingin pa lang alam ko na if someone has a future or not," the star builder declares. "There is no sure formula in making a star. I believe it is 50 percent luck, then pantay na ‘yung talent at looks. Of course, importante ang professionalism, pakikisama at prayers.
"Ang sa akin lang, gusto ko talagang makatulong. Showbiz has been so kind to me, so helping the young, in a way, eh challenge at opportunity. Challenge kasi alam mong may future itong bata so tutulungan mo. Opportunity rin kasi, every talent na tinutulungan mo, may natutuhan ka. What worked before may not work this time, so patuloy ang pag-aaral, patuloy ang paghuhulma, ‘yun ang gusto ko."

Humility
"Whatever success I have, I owe it sa nasa itaas, sa Diyos and sa lahat ng mga taong nakilala, naging kaibigan, kakampi, maging sa kaaway, nagpapasalamat ako sa kanila. Kuya Germs is not perfect," says the industry veteran.
"Hindi mo naman maiiwasan ‘yun, ang away, intriga, even failures," he says. "One must not forget to eat humble pie from time to time, and by means of prayers and with the people who love me, lalo na ang pamilya ko at mga tunay kong kaibigan, lumalakas ‘yung loob ko."
With a sincere smile, Kuya Germs declares: "You cannot please everybody. Isa yan sa mga natutuhan ko sa showbiz. Ako, gusto ko pa ring tumulong, gusto po ring maituro sa mga kabataan ngayon ang value ng pagsisipag, tiyaga at pagdarasal. Kuya Germs became Kuya Germs because I worked hard, I prayed even harder and pinanindigan ko ang pagpasok ko sa showbiz at minahal ko ito talaga."
And all these, we think Kuya Germs deserves his place in Tinseltown.

Walang Tulugan with the Master Showman airs every late Saturday nights on GMA 7.