German Moreno reminisce old shows

GERMAN MORENO or Kuya Germs is jubilant that Q Channel 11 got him to host their new Sunday afternoon show, "Pinoy Cine Klasika", showing classic films of Sampaguita Pictures made in the 50s and 60s. In its presscon Kuya Germs recalled how he hosted a special show at Life Theatre in Quiapo for Sampaguita in the 60s to promote their new movie, "King and Queen for a Day" starring Dolphy. When asked how much he'd be paid, he said he just wants to be made an extra in the movies of Sampaguita. And that started his film career after doing stage shows at Clover Theatre. He was paired with Boy Alano doing sidekick roles and was later made to direct the blockbuster movies of Nora Aunor and Tirso Cruz III, like "Guy & Pip" and "My Blue Hawaii". GMA-7 then gave him the chance to host his own Sunday show, "Germspesyal" and "GMA Supershow", and later, "That's Entertainment" that gave the break to so many stars.

Also in the presscon are the daughters of Sampaguita producer Jose R. Perez, Manay Ichu Maceda and former child star Lilibeth Vera Perez-Nakpil. They recalled how Sampaguita nurtured their stars then who were all very professional. "It was a gentler time," says Manay Ichu. "Unlike ngayon ang gulo-gulo ng mundo." Sampaguita was the home of movie queens Gloria Romero, Susan Roces and Amalia Fuentes. It gave us great dramatic stars like Lolita Rodriguez, Marlene Dauden and the late Rita Gomez, as well as Comedy King Dolphy and the ageless Eddie Garcia who can do both bida and kontrabida roles with equal ease. Now is your turn to watch their films, Sundays at 2 PM starting Easter Sunday, April 4, with "Dance O Rama", starring Susan Roces, Jose Mari and introducing Boots Anson Roa. On April 11, it's "Bituing Marikit" with Amalia Fuentes, Juancho Gutierrez and Dolphy. April 18, it's the youth movie "Bahay Kubo Kahit Munti" with Rosemarie Sonora, Pepito Rodriguez and Kuya Germs. On April 15, don't miss "Beatnik", a comedy starring the Dolphy-Pancito comic tandem with Susan Roces. Lilibeth is in charge of preserving their films. According to her, Sampaguita made 600 movies, but only 187 are existing as of now, 20 of them without endings. How sad, isn't it? So many films that are perfect legacies to future generations now lost for good.