HIS journey in the entertainment industry is one of perseverance and faith, starting with a “vocation” that led him to where he is now.
Glicerio Germudo Jr.—known by his stage name Cerj Michael—has been in Cebu’s entertainment industry for 20 years and counting.
He is one of the hosts/sing-along masters at the 8th Avenue Comedy and Entertainment Bar located at the City Times Square 2 in Mandaue City.
He works every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
“It is fulfilling and does not feel like work for me.
You have fun, meet a lot of people and get paid,” he told Cebu Daily News in an interview.
He also manages Beauvent Productions, which provides talents and hosts to clients during events.
Originally from General Santos City, Germudo is the youngest of four siblings.
Initially wanting to become a priest, he entered the University of San Carlos (USC) seminary after finishing high school.
In the seminary, he was active as a member of the choir.
Two years after entering the seminary, Germudo decided to take another path.
“I think priesthood was not my calling. Gidala ra ko diri (Cebu) sa Ginoo for something else. Kato
(seminary) ang way,” he said.
Career in comedy
Germudo finished a degree in Philosophy after leaving the seminary.
Then, he worked as a disc jockey at Star FM Cebu in 1999.
During his free time, Germudo would visit The Spotlight, a comedy bar in Cebu City, which is affiliated with The Library Comedy Bar & Restaurant in Manila.
“I had a friend sa Spotlight na every 12 midnight naa sila’y meeting and mabakante ang stage. When they learned that I can sing, giingnan ko nila na pwede ko mokanta while nag-meeting sila,” he added.
Germudo entertained guests from 30 minutes to an hour.
“That started my career as a comedian,” he said.
For him, it is difficult to entertain the guests and keep the momentum.
“It is not easy. Mo storya pa ka, mangutana pa ka sa name and trabaho nila,” he added.
Germudo pursued his career as a singer/comedian and became one of the performers of the 22nd Street Comedy Bar in General Maxilom, Cebu City from 2005 to 2009.
He was in Dubai from 2009 to 2011, working as a DJ in a government-owned radio station and performing in a comedy bar as a sideline.
Around the world
In 2011, he decided to come back to the Philippines and work as a freelancer.
Aside from being a sing-along master, Germudo has been part of “Siddhartha The Musical” for five years now.
He plays the role of King Suddhodana, the father of Siddhartha.
The musical gave him the opportunity to perform in the US, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China, Macau, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
This year, Germudo will again join the 60-Cebuano crew and cast as they will perform in the US, including the cities of Las Vegas, Chicago, and New York from October to November.
“It is not a dream come true because I did not even dream of joining. It just came suddenly,” he said.
The musical was an unexpected blessing for him since he only knew about the audition through a friend.
Germudo said that five years from now, he still hopes to be in the entertainment industry and to perform in different countries.
“Daghang invitations (Argentina and Spain) and ang Europe wala pa namo maadtoan,” he said when asked where he wants to go next.