Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso dedicated his People of the Year Award to his parents as well as to his fellow workers in the city government who played major roles in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic in the city.
“Siguro iaalay ko na lang ito, ang award na ito sa nanay ko, sa tatay ko, sumalangit nawa ang kanilang kaluluwa. Sila ay naging simbolo ko na huwag sumuko sa buhay, Hindi nila ako sinukuan. But the thing is hindi sila sumuko, at narito ako sa harapan niyo, (I offer this award to my mother, to my father, may they rest in peace. They inspired me not to give up on life, They did not give up on me. They did not give up and that's why I am here in front of you),” Domagoso said in his acceptance speech during the awards night at the Taft Ballroom of Conrad Manila in Pasay City.
Aside from his parents, the Manila mayor also dedicated his award to his fellow city hall workers, especially those who have sacrificed and paid the ultimate price to continue to serve the public.
“Inaalay ko rin ito sa aking mga nakasama ko since day one. They left their families also and stayed with me for three straight months running the city government, the very least, for our people to feel na merong gobyerno sa Lungsod ng Maynila sa kasagsagan ng kalituhan, pangamba at takot (I also offer it to those I have been with since day one. They left their families also and stayed with me for three straight months running the city government, the very least, for our people to feel that there is a government in the City of Manila in the midst of confusion, anxiety, and fear),” he said.
“And I’m very proud of them, at sumalangit nawa ang ilan sa kanila (some of them have passed on in the line of duty). They paid the ultimate price, and I share this award with them and their family, those who succumbed from the infection by doing public service, in taking care of others,” he said.
Domagoso also took the opportunity to thank his colleagues for their dedication and full support in achieving their dreams for the City of Manila “Sapagkat yung aming pinangarap (Because what we dreamed of) together in rebuilding Manila in 10 years, despite the pandemic, all happened in two years. So, puwede pala, posible pala. (It can be done. It is possible.) I owe it to them. Whatever naririnig niyo sa Maynila, hindi ko po kaya yoon na mag-isa. Nagawa po yon dala ng pakikipagtulungan ng bawat isa (I couldn't have done it alone. We were able to do it because of the cooperation of everyone),” said the chief executive.
“That’s why we will continue to be better in our field of undertaking. Sa maliit kong kaparaanan, may awa ang Diyos, pipilitin kong maging masinop, mainam at episyente kayong mapaglingkuran hanggang sa huling araw sa Lungsod ng Maynila (In my own small way, and with God's mercy, I will try to be good and efficient in serving you until my last day in the City of Manila),” he said.
Domagoso then also thanked his wife, Diana Lynn Ditan Domagoso, and their five children for giving him full support and understanding.
The other awardees of the People of the Year 2022 were Michael Tan, Maria Ressa, Dennis Uy, Camarines Sur Gov. Migz Villafuerte, House Deputy Deputy Speaker Camille Villar, Senator Joel Villanueva, Korina Sanchez-Roxas, Dr. Regina Berba, John Arcilla and Olympians Hidilyn Diaz, Eumir Garcia, and Nesthy Petecio.
The 2022 People Asia's People of the Year Awards honors outstanding individuals whose achievements have inspired others in the time of the Covid-19 pandemic.