Some people have been wondering (rather, “puzzled”) when Charice was given another star during the recent 12th anniversary of Walk Of Fame (WOF), the pet project of the late German “Kuya Germs” Moreno which is being continued by his son Federico Moreno as president of the WOF Foundation.
“This time,” Federico explained, “the star is for Jake Zyrus as a show of support to the LGBT community.” (Jake Zyrus is Charice’s name as a “man.”) “The WOF Board of Trustees inducted Mr. Jake Zyrus also for his exemplary career in the music industry.”
Federico added that the criteria for induction into the WOF are, 1). Must have reached the epitome of success in the entertainment industry and 2). Must have contributed a positive impact and must have helped in the growth of the entertainment industry.
Those at the event were visibly moved when Mommy Gwapa with son-in-law Arnel Cowley received the star for daughter Isabel Granada (who died of aneurysm in Qatar last Nov. 4), one of the posthumous inductees together with Chichay, Maning Borlaza, Joe Taruc and Eddie Romero.
Federico recalled that his dad almost gave up his dream to build a Philippine counterpart of Hollywood’s Walk Of Fame.
“It was a struggle and my dad almost walked away from it,” said Federico. “Among those who have been quietly helping my dad from the beginning is Tita Alice (Eduardo, CEO of Sta. Elena Construction). WOF wouldn’t have been possible without the help of Tita Alice. My dad wanted to give her a star but Tita Alice begged off.”
Alice was the last person whom Kuya Germs had talked to (on the phone) before he died.
“Tita Alice was then in the States. My dad wanted to call her. As soon as the plane from the US landed, Tita Alice called my dad. It was his last phone call.”
The other inductees were: Regal Matriarch Lily Monteverde, Karen Davila, Empoy Marquez, Atom Araullo, Anthony Taberna, Parokya ni Edgar, Matteo Guidicelli, Solenn Heussaff, Freddie Santos, Kris Bernal, Joe D’Mango, Mely Tagasa, and Tulfo brothers Mon and Erwin.
The event was hosted by Jackielou Blanco and Kuya Germs’ nephew John Nite.
(E-mail reactions at entphilstar@yahoo.com. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)