His Time to Shine

Paano ba ang isang taong lumaki sa hirap ng buhay, dumanas ng gutom at naging basurero ay nai-angat ang  kanyang pamumuhay?  Well, I believe it’s not just luck. It also takes a lot of determination, hard work and discipline to make one’s life successful.

MANILA’s BEST

Perfect example to this is Mayor Francisco Moreno Domagoso, popularly known as Isko Moreno, who is undoubtedly the current Man of the Hour. After winning the 2019 mayoralty elections last June over political giants like  ex-Mayor Alfredo Lim and incumbent Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada, Yorme Isko (as he is fondly called by his constituents) has been very busy doing clearing operations in the main and side streets of Manila, working on the restoration of Manila’s old glory and even working overtime to make sure that the curfew ordinance in the City of Manila is complied with.

In office for almost five months now, Yorme Isko says this is just the start of the battle between him and  those who will go against the law. But who is Mayor Isko? Saan nga ba siya nagmula bago siya naging Mayor?

GRATITUDE  ALWAYS WINS

Nag-artista siya!  At hindi nakakalimutan ni Mayor Isko na sa showbiz siya nagsimula at malaki ang naitulong ng exposure niya sa mundong ito sa kung ano mang success ang tinatamasa niya ngayon.

Isa sa mga katangingang gusto namin kay Mayor Isko ay ‘yung kanyang humility and he never forgets to thank the people who gave him opportunities ‘nung nag-aartista pa siya. Siyempre, hindi nakakalimutan ni Yorme si Daddie Wowie Roxas, na kanyang mentor/discoverer.

YORME ISKO’S HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

Pero paano nga ba na-discover si Mayor Isko? Daddie Wowie, whom I personally know when I was still working in the movie industry, was  gracious enough to share how  he met  and mentored the young Isko.

“Namatay noon ang Auntie ko, sa Mabuhay, Tondo, Manila. Sa kalsada ito nakaburol.  Kapitbahay nila si Isko. Last day ng lamay ako pumunta 11:30pm ako nakarating sa lamay kasi galing pa ako sa isang show sa Makati noon. When I was still a TV dancer, may gay akong alalay na tinutukso ng mga bagets doon, sabay turo sa grupo ni Isko. Paglingon ko, nagtama ang mga mata naming ni Isko. Nakita ko parang glow in the dark ang mukha niya. Ang skinny pa niya noon, 27 ang waistline, may itsura na kaya lang may mga tsismis (blemishes) sa balat etc. Tapos pinaabutan ko siya ng calling card. Till now, hindi ko pa rin alam kung bakit nga ba?”

“The next day dumating sa office ko, he was wearing white T-shirt, maong jeans na Levi’s (na gawa sa Quiapo he, he he) and brown shoes. Then nakita ko sa maliwanag ang mukha niya. Sabi ko, parang ‘pag naayusan at tumaba ng konti parang guwapo. Then pinictorial ko siya, tinakpan ang mga blemishes sa mukha niya.  Nang makita ko ang result, ang guwapo niya sa picture, photogenic (puro head shot).”

YORME’S BAGETS DAYS IN THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT

“Tapos pinag-audition ko sa That’s Entertainment, ang 90’s teen variety show. Sa awa ng Diyos, natanggap naman. That time, hawak ko ang Monday group as their choreographer for their Saturday Edition. So, alam mo na, medyo may connect kahit papaano.

“Nang makalusot si Isko, puro lait ang inabot namin. Maraming inggit at lait pero ‘di ko sila pinansin. Focused lang ako sa pag-manage sa kanya with the strong support of Kuya Germs (German Moreno) and the rest is history.” Pagtatapos ni Daddie Wowie, who now manages the career of the handsome and talented son of Mayor Isko, Joaquin Domagoso

NILAIT, INOKRAY, MINALIIT ANG KAKAYANAN

But look where he is now! A 3-term councilor, 3-term vice mayor and the 27^th mayor of the City of Manila.

We can always learn from Mayor Isko’s story. That no matter what people say or think about you, as long as you believe in yourself, you put God in your dreams and do good to others—He will  bring  justice in your life  and reward you in His time.

Credits: Daddie Wowie Roxas and  Mr. Dindo M. Balares, (Entertainment Editor) Balita