Star-studded walk to fame

Up There where the stars shine with Eternal Flame, Master Showman German “Kuya Germs” Moreno must have looked down with a smile as wide as the star-studded portion of Eastwood in Quezon City where Walk Of Fame, his pet project, was highlighted by a red carpet where this year’s honorees would be proudly walking to fame, the stars bearing their names designed to engrave them in posterity.

As he was in such an event, Kuya Germs must have been dressed in his signature outfit (it seemed that he and only he could carry it with aplomb and get away with it!) that glittered brighter (read: more blinding!!!) than the Christmas lights that turn the heart of Eastwood into a wonderland this season of the year. Thursday (Dec. 1), last week marked the 11th anniversary of Walk Of Fame, conceptualized by Kuya Germs after the one on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood.

“My father created the Walk Of Fame because of his love for the showbiz industry where he had devoted 62 years of his life,” Federico Moreno reminded the guests in his welcome speech. “When he passed on last January, I received a lot of questions as to what would happen to the Walk Of Fame. With the help of our family and close, dear friends of my father, I got the courage to continue this noble cause,” stressed Federico who is the president of the Walk Of Fame Foundation of the Philippines, Inc. (WOFFPI). (The other officers Kevin Tan, chairman; Azucena “Manay Ichu” Vera Perez-Maceda; Dr. Cecilio Pedro, Joey Abacan, John Nite and Jose Miguel Moreno, vice presidents; lawyer Lito Go, corporate secretary; Alice Eduardo, treasurer; and your Funfarer as PRO) were formally inducted into office during the event.

“This foundation is a non-stock, non-profit organization whose mission is to give recognition to industry people who have made a positive influence on and contributed to the growth of the industry,” added Federico. “We hope to raise funds to assist industry people in need through the MOWELFUND which, as the sole beneficiary, will get 100 percent of the donation.”

After thanking donors and all those behind this year’s event, Federico good-naturedly reminded the audience that he wasn’t fond of delivering long speeches unlike his father who would monopolize the microphone and tirelessly recall again and again, without missing a beat, his own hard walk to fame starting with a small step at the Clover Theater where he worked as a janitor as telonero (curtain-raiser).

After cocktails at the lobby of Richmonde Hotel, official home of WOFFPI, the formally-dressed honorees/inductees were transported to the venue by a limousine, walked the red carpet to the stage to be recognized and applauded before, one by one, they were presented with their Stars. Dinner followed.

The honorees:

• Movies: Jennylyn Mercado, Liza Soberano, John Arcilla and Angelica Panganiban;

• Television: Jodi Sta. Maria, Shaina Magdayao and Barbie Forteza;

• Radio: Eddie Ilarde and Manolo Favis;

• Music: Pepe Smith and Willy Cruz;

• News: Ted Failon, Susan Enriquez and Luchi Cruz-Valdes; and

• Posthumous Award: Zeneida Amador.

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