Isko Moreno: I'm nobody, but Kuya Germs gave me opportunity

MANILA, Philippines - Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno turned emotional during his eulogy during the necrological service for German "Kuya Germs" Moreno at Studio 7 of the GMA-7 Network complex in Quezon City on Wednesday.

The former actor was part of Kuya Germs's "That's Entertainment."

IN PHOTOS: Marian, KC, other stars pay final respects to Kuya Germs

Isko said he and Kuya Germs have maintained close ties. He even said the famed starmaker would jokingly call him his son since they share the same last name (Isko's real name is Francisco Domagoso).

The two last saw each other last month when Isko visited Kuya Germs at his office in GMA-7 last month.

"For the past so many days, iniwasan ko po magpainterview. Hindi ko alam ang sasabihin ko sapagkat hindi ko po mabigyan ng sukat o sapat na timbangan o halaga yung binigay na pagkakataon sa akin ni Kuya Germs," he said.

He recalled being brought to then Broadway Centrum studios of GMA-7 by his manager Wowie Roxas in 1993 to audition to be part of Kuya Germs's "That's Entertainment."

"Si Kuya Germs lang naman talaga ang nagbibigay ng pagkakataon sa mga bata from nowhere," Isko added.

"After ng live broadcast ng 'That's,' meron ng audution. Nasa entablado ka, kukunan ka ng video, iinterbyuhin ka. Tinanong ako ni Kuya Germs, 'Marunong ka ba kumanta?' 'Hindi ho.'

"'Anong alam mo? Marunong ka ba umarte?' E kung hindi ko pa sinagot kung marunong ako umarte, hindi na ako matatanggap," he quipped.

He thanked Kuya Germs for giving him an opportunity in showbiz.

"If not for that opportunity, wala ako sa harapan n'yo ngayon. Malamang basurero pa rin ako, Isko said.

READ: Stars who started in Kuya Germs’ ‘That’s Entertainment’

He also said: "I am a nobody. But he gave me an opportunity."

Isko also credited Kuya Germs for creating "an opportunity for everyone," particularly in creating programs in timeslots that originally did not have an audience.

"Kuya Germs started everything," he said. "Lahat ng Sunday show, walang benta 'yan sa istasyon. Tulugan nga 'yan, e. Payapa ang tao kapag Linggo. But Kuya Germs created a market for Sundays shows."

Isko was referring to Kuya Germs's career as a host of Sunday noontime shows from 1970s to 1990s.

His last Sunday noontime show was "GMA Supershow" which ended in 1997 and was replaced by "SOP" as a response to rival network ABS-CBN's "ASAP."

He added: "Four in the afternoon, 'That's Entertainment.' Wala ring market 'yan, e. Nasa loob ng eskuwelahan yung estudyante. Yung iba nagsi-siesta pa. [But] the other station created a show to compete with 'That's' because there's a demand."

READ: Sampaguita night: Tears & laughter for Kuya Germs

He also noted the longevity of Kuya Germs' "Walang Tulagan with the Master Showman," which lasted for 20 years on GMA-7.

German Moreno's internment is set today at the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City.