Sunday, April 16, 2017

Kuya Germs, That's Entertainment and Me

I started to write this entry I think April of last year. I did not publish it yet because, it is not yet finished. I got so busy and totally forgot to finish it. This year, I got a chance to open my blog again so I decided to finish this entry. I hope it is not too late. This is supposed to be a tribute post to Kuya Germs...

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"I am very grateful and honored to be discovered by the one and only Star Builder and Master Showman, German "Kuya Germs" Moreno. You believed that I have THE talent, that I can make a name in showbiz one day. Thank you for the support and for all the lessons you have shared to me, to us. I will forever cherish everything you have taught me. Thank you very, very much. I love you and I'm gonna miss you."


That's Entertainment Audition

If my memory got it right, sequence by sequence, here's the story goes...

It was February 1995 when I auditioned for "That's Entertainment" at Broadway Centrum. My talent then was singing. Kuya Germs is the one who facilitated the audition, together with her secretaries. When it was my turn, I introduced myself and was asked what is my talent. I told him that I can sing. So I sang (I think my audition piece was "Awit Para Sa'yo by Jamie Rivera"). Anyway, after my audition, he told one of his secretaries (I think it was Tita Carms) that I made it to the first screening. She got my contact details and told me that she'll call for the second screening.

Second screening came. Audition was held at Sampaguita Pictures office, Kuya Germs office as well. I think we are a thousand who auditioned. There were some press who are invited to witness the audition. There were two rounds of audition, if you passed the first round you'll be asked to stay for the next round. After each round, from a thousand, we are down to a smaller number, don't know exactly but I think around 70. 

And that's the Final number of new members of That's Entertainment.

First write-up 
(Oh diba Neneng-Nene pa ako dito)


Welcome New Members

I will never forget the date "February 25, 1995". This is when I was introduced as one of the newest members of That's Entertainment Friday Group. It was also the Anniversary of the show. Every year, new members come and some old members go since they already made it to be known in the industry. 

This was the first time I'll be in front of thousands of people. I was so nervous and at the same time overwhelmed. 

After the production number of the group, one by one we were called to come up at the stage to take a bow. 





  










FRIDAY GROUP

Being a member of That's Entertainment was always a dream come true to me. When I was still young, I watched the show and wished someday I'll be a part of it. I never expected that it'll happen until I started taping, rehearsing and all. The show improved my talents and made me realize that I can do more out of it. We were given spot numbers every other week to showcase our talent. It's like living a dream. Press started to notice me, write ups everywhere (believe me I still have them). I had fans (can you believe it???) and most of all, more opportunities/projects came (TVC's, movies, guestings, road shows etc.). I felt really really blessed. With my ates and kuyas in the group, we helped each other to grow as person and as a group. I'm also thankful for them.



KUYA GERMS

Kuya Germs... When I was young, I have this mindset that if you want to be an "artista", you have to see Kuya Germs. Why? Because he is known to be a star builder. If you want to be like Manilyn Reynes, Sheryl Cruz, Tina Paner, and the likes, you need to see Kuya Germs. So, I thought of auditioning in That's Entertainment with the help of my friend "Ana Marie Falcon aka Francine Prieto" (we were classmates in PETA Theater Summer workshop). At first, I thought he is a strict person (well, yes technically he is strict when it comes to work) but after work he is a total different person (mabait din pala siya).

Kuya Germs taught me or should I say "us" a lot of things. Let me share you the first five on my list. First, he taught us to be professional. He always reminds us to be on time on tapings, shootings or meetings. Second, he taught us to save. All our allowances/talent fee are deposited directly to our bank account which is a passbook account. Third, he taught us camaraderie. Since, we are in show business, we should know how to deal with people, respect our co-workers. Fourth, he taught us to keep our feet on the ground no matter how famous we may become. Fifth, he taught us to never forget where we came from. We are nothing if not for them. 

That's why I am truly thankful to Kuya Germs. You are my TATAY in the industry. You open doors to me, to everybody. I will never ever forget that there is a Kuya Germs who made me who I am today. I may not be a famous artist today but I believe that once in my lifetime, "Marita Villarama" of That's Entertainment Friday group was born. I will never ever forget you.


THANK YOU KUYA GERMS!!!


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