Doc Perez, Kuya Germs
IDENTIFIED WITH – Last week, Highspeed wrote about starbuilders. The likes of Mother Lily Monteverde and Douglas Quijano, Robbie Tan, Boss Vic del Rosario, Lino Brocka, and Papa Jesse Ejercito.
Not mentioned were Dr. Jose R. Perez and German Moreno as Highspeed meant to devote a separate column to them, both identified with Sampaguita Pictures, were the most glamorous stars reigned.
•
QUEENS – Doc Perez was a starbuilder unlike any other. In the ‘50s, the queen of Philippine cinema was Gloria Romero, an American mestiza from Mabini, Pangasinan, who Doc Perez transformed into the most regal movie queen ever.
Glo’s Sampaguita contenporaries included drama greats like Lolita Rodriguez, Rita Gomez, Marlene Dauden, Barbara Perez. Alicia Vergel was action queen.
The actors were Ric Rodrigo, Ramon Revilla, Cesar Ramirez,
Luis Gonzales, Juancho Gutierrez. Comedy King Dolphy got his first lead role in “Jack en Jill” opposite Lolita Rodriguez.
In the ‘60s, Doc Perez built up movie queens Susan Roces and Amalia Fuentes. Leading men were Eddie Gutierrez, Bobby Vasquez, Jose Mari Gonzalez.
Then came Stars ’66 composed of Gina Pareño, Rosemarie Sonora, Blanca Gomez, Shirley Moreno, Loretta Marquez, Dindo Fernando, Edgar Salcedo, Bert Leroy Jr., Ramil and Pepito Rodriguez.
The ‘70s saw the rise of Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos, longest reigning movie queens. The last star Doc Perez built up was Gina Alajar.
No one but no one can equal Doc Perez’s record as starbuilder.
• YOUTH-ORIENTED – Where giving breaks to young stars was concerned, Kuya Germs was second to none. His youth-oriented shows on GMA like “That’s Entertainment,” “Supershow,” and “Walang Tulugan” were “alma mater” to every other young star in showbiz.
To name some: Lea Salonga, Billy Crawford, Ruffa Gutierrez, Jestoni Alarcon, Caselyn Francisco, Ian Veneracion, Sheryl Cruz, Isko Moreno, Sanya Lopez, Ken Chan.
The Master Showman was behind naming of Quezon City as City of Stars. He initiated the Walk of Fame in Eastwood.