It's too early to talk about the national election these days. But if popular talent manager Wowie Roxas, known in entertainment circles as Daddie Wowie, would have his way, he would like Manila Mayor Isko Moreno (Francisco M. Domagoso) to run for president in the future.
"Kung ako ang masusunod, oo payag ako. He would make a good president," said Roxas in an exclusive online chat with Manila Bulletin Saturday night.
Roxas said Moreno's winning qualities as a politician are determination and being magnanimous.
"Believe it or not, his family is his last priority these days. Constituents first. Mas mahalaga sa kanya ngayon ang mga constituent. Ganoon siya ka dedicated sa pagiging public servant. His wife naman ay matatag at maunawain. She's very supportive sa career ni Isko," he added.
Roxas has known Moreno since he was 16.
He discovered the former teen star while attending the wake of his aunt in Tondo, Manila.
Roxas then groomed Moreno to become an actor who successfully ventured into politics.
The talent manager said that he shared a video of his aunt's wake on YouTube where the young Isko was seen having fun with some friends.
Roxas said he uploaded the video to prove that Isko was a poor boy in his younger days.
"Ayaw kasi maniwala ng iba na mahirap lang sila Isko noon (Some of his critics do not believe that Isko came from a poor family)."
Moreno, now 45, was about 18 when he dreamed of joining politics, Roxas recalled.
"Isko was one of the guest performers for the Metro Manila Film Festival at the Luneta Grandstand in 1993. Former Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim was there. Bumulong sa akin si Isko. Sabi niya, 'Daddie, balang araw, babalik ako rito para manumpa, (He whispered to me and said, "Daddie, someday, I'll come back here to take my oath)" he recalled.
Roxas said at the time he did not take those words seriously.
"Napa-huh na lang ako. Sabi ko na lang, anak gutom lang yan (I just said huh? Then I told him my child you are just hungry). But look at him now. It's his destiny to become a mayor."
As fate would have it, Isko became the Vice-Mayor of Lim.
Asked what qualities of Isko he would like the millennials to emulate, Roxas said: "Isko wants to learn a lot of things. Naniniwala siya na napapag-aralan naman ang lahat."