Roselle May Advincula

 From Rags to Yorme: The Story of Isko Moreno He is the country’s famous “Yorme”—a true-to-life testament of rags to riches. From scouring garbage for food and for money to taking up the throne in the Philippine’s capital city of Manila, many considers Isko Moreno as a breath of fresh air, determination and conviction in an otherwise polluted streets and politics of the city. While his Facebook lives offer a real-time peek on his efforts to change Manila and bring it back to its glory, the videos faintly give us hints about the life Isko had to walk through before reaching his position as the city’s mayor. The Early Life of Isko Isko Moreno, Francisco Domagoso in real life, was born on October 24, 1974. An only child to Joaquin Domagoso, a stevedore and Rosario Moreno, a housewife, Francisco who was also known as Scott back then, was raised in the slums of Tondo, Manila. At the age of 10, the young mayor-to-be realized the poverty his family was in. Seeing how his neighbors owned things like Atari and Betamax while his father can barely have a regular job opened his eyes to just how dire their situation is. He decided to help his parents carry the burden. At such a young age, he began to work as a pag-pag collector—rummaging through the food bins of fast food chains, looking for anything his mother can recook, either for their table or to sell to their neighbors. In high school, Francisco also started to drive pedicabs and sell newspapers and used bottles for extra income. He admitted that there was a time when even his classmates would tease him for being a garbage collector. Though hurt by their insults, he was determined not to be deterred. He wanted to give his family their dream, and that was for him to finish high school. Though the idea of attending a college seemed like an impossible feat to a family who can barely afford his almost-free high school education, Francisco had a desire to go further in school. He wanted to be a seaman. But destiny has a different plan, waiting to be fulfilled in a wake not far from his home. The Road to Stardom In January 1993, while attending a neighbor’s wake for refreshments, Francisco was spotted by the talent agent, Wowie Roxas, who offered the 18-year old boy a one -way ticket to stardom. It was an opportunity—what it entails, he wasn’t sure, but he has already experienced difficult, sometimes even dangerous familiarities in the skirts of his hometown—he wasn’t afraid to grab something no matter how unfamiliar. Francisco started with an indeed small act: ringing the doorbell. It was during his first acting stint as an extra in RPN 9’s teen drama anthology Young Love, Sweet Love -). It was just a tiny part of an episode, but Francisco diligently waited in the set for his turn for seven hours. Not that he minded—it was airconditioned and food was free. Upon receiving his first paycheck amounting to Php 1500, he was so elated and thought that the gig was indeed a good one. He went on to buy a pair of briefs and food for his family. After that, the name Isko Moreno was introduced to the masses. He was chosen as one of the hosts in the seventh batch of the widely famed variety show, That’s Entertainment, brainchild of famous host and star-maker German Moreno. His good looks and talent eventually brought him to success, landing him roles after roles in the big screen. He became a matinee idol and was even paired to famous actress Claudine Baretto in the film Muntik na Kitang Minahal in 1994. A Heart for Public Service Five years into showbiz, Isko decided to take another turn. He was enjoying the fruits of his acting projects, but always felt like he constantly has to do something new. Maybe something helpful to his community, to the city he considers home. In 1998, at the age of 23, he decided to run as a city councilor in Manila. It was a whim, a luck he felt he had that year, that lead him to this decision. He reached out to then Manila mayor Lito Atienza and he got a slot in the city election. He was lambasted for being just an actor—a term usually used to indicate that someone from the entertainment doesn’t know anything—and for being just a high school graduate. But despite the hurtful words from opposing candidates, Isko won the election and went on to serve as a councilor for three terms, from 1998 to 2007. While serving as a councilor, Isko Moreno furthered his studies. With the help of then vice mayor, Danny Lacuna, whom he considers his mentor, Isko took up and finished special legislation courses from the University of the Philippines. He then went on to take law units at Arellano University. Determined to improve himself and know better about the responsibilities he has as a public servant, he extended his studies internationally by applying for and finishing governance programs at Harvard University and Oxford University. Now with a strengthened arsenal, Isko Moreno proceeded to be the vice mayor of Manila from 2007 to 2016, alternately under the leadership of the city’s political giants Joseph Ejercito Estrada and Alfredo Lim. Even then, his name was slowly becoming known for his passionate drive as a public servant. He oversaw city ordinances that little by little, would help Manila’s progress—plastic bag ban, truck bans during daylight and rerouted passages for provincial buses in the city’s busy roads. One of his most prominent projects is the Botika ni Isko, a free for all pharmacy situated right at the vice mayor’s office. Road to Manila’s Throne (while cleaning it on the way there) Moreno’s aspirations flew higher as he set his goals toward the mayoral position. But it was a rather slow and patient stride, waiting for his own right time to serve as Manila’s highest leader. When he allied with Estrada in 2013, Isko was promised the mayoralty in the next term. But Estrada ran again for the same position in the 2016 elections. In that same year, Isko’s term limit as a vice mayor expired. He then proceeded to run for the senate, but lost. It is known that Isko Moreno has ties with President Rodrigo Duterte due to them being vice mayors of their respective cities in 2010. One year after losing at the senatorial race, Moreno was appointed by the President as the chairman of the North Luzon Railways Corporation (NLRC). Three months into his position, Moreno resigned because of “personal reasons”. However, in May of 2018, Duterte once again appointed Isko in a government department position—naming him as Department of Social Welfare and Development’s new undersecretary. When the electoral race opened in 2019, Isko did not hesitate. He was ready to fight even his former allies and big political icons, Alfredo Lim and then incumbent mayor, Joseph Estrada. It must be the people’s desire for change. It must be Moreno’s relentless campaign and bold promises to make Manila glorious once again. Maybe the Manilenos saw in Isko a hope they can hold and relate to—a leader from the very land they grew up in. David had his victory against two Goliaths, Isko Moreno won the election and became Manila’s 27th mayor. Weeks after the victory, all eyes were on “Yorme”, everyone’s anticipating his next bold move and the fulfillment of his big speeches. True to his promises, the now king of the capital city was quick to implement his goals and everyone, not just those in Manila, saw it live. In his first week, people witnessed as he accidentally stepped on human feces as he led the clean-up of the Bonifacio Monument in Ermita, Manila. In the following days, he began clearing the roads of Divisoria. The vast-looking streets that shined through after the clearing operations was indeed a stark contrast to the crowded, tight and dirty shopping area that Filipinos know. In just one hundred days, Mayor Isko Moreno was able to pass eight ordinances, including ones that would provide monthly allowances to public school students, college students in Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, and senior citizens and PWDS. In October 2019, hearing the cries of both the poor that seeks medical attention in public hospitals and the health workers who have been carrying out their duties despite lacking enough staff and supplies, Moreno recommended the release of 9.5 million pesos, to be distributed to the city’s public hospitals. To this day, Isko Moreno still thrive as one of the country’s effective and formidable leaders. In his 2012 interview in Pipol, a now defunct show hosted by Ces Drillon, he once mentioned that he wants to become a president one day. To quote, the Manila mayor said, “Gusto ko pong maging president. Kung paano po makararating do’n hindi ko alam… But I will take it one day at a time. If I’m gonna be the mayor of the city of Manila someday—I don’t know when—I’m gonna be the president of this country.” If it will happen, only fate can tell—the same fate that turned this garbage collector to a star and eventually, the mayor of the Philippine’s capital.