Manila mayoral candidate Sam Verzosa is very grateful to his girlfriend, Rhian Ramos, for her support during the challenging campaign season.

"Swerte ako at malakas pa ang aking pangangatawan at maswerte ako dahil meron akong Rhian Ramos na magbibigay ng inspirasyon. Noong isang araw, naglibot ako sa Sta. Ana, Sta. Mesa. At pagdating ko sa Onyx, bigla niya akong binisita at sinamahan sa kampanya. (I'm lucky and I'm still physically strong and I'm lucky because I have Rhian Ramos to inspire me. The other day, I was touring Sta. Ana, Sta. Mesa. And when I arrived at Onyx, she suddenly visited me and joined me in the campaign)," said Sam during an interview at the Tinapayan Festival Forum on Dapitan St. in Sampaloc, Manila on April 4.

Sam added: "Minsan kahit nakakapagod at kapag bigla kang sinorpresa at binibigyan ng inspirasyon, nawawala ang pagod mo. (Sometimes even when you're tired and when you're suddenly surprised and inspired, your tiredness disappears.)

"Noong binigyan niya ako ng inspirasyon, yung next caucus ko napakaganda ng speech ko. Nabuhay ang kalamnan ko. Na-inspire ako. (When she inspired me, in my next caucus, my speech was so beautiful. My muscles came alive. I was inspired.)

"Nagpapasalamat talaga ako kay Rhian. Hindi lang kasi inspirasyon ang binibigay niya sa akin. Meron ding peace of mind and peace of heart. Sa dami ng nangyayaring kaguluhan, yun ang kailangan natin eh. (I'm really grateful to Rhian. She doesn't just give me inspiration. She also gives me peace of mind and peace of heart. With so much chaos going on, that's what we need.)

"Maraming salamat Rhian. Sana andyan ka palagi. Katulong ko siya sa pag-iisip. Napakatalino ni Rhian. Yan ang kasama ko sa pag-iisip kung paano tumulong at gumawa ng plataporma at programa. (Thank you very much Rhian. I hope you're always there. She's my thinking partner. Rhian is very smart. She's my partner in thinking about how to help and create a platform and program)," Sam also said.

Sam shared his thoughts on choosing a life partner without being asked. He talked about how important it is to find someone who shares your core values. 

"Kaya ang payo ko sa mga tao na pumili sila ng tamang partner. Isa yan sa pinaka-importanteng desisyon na gagawin mo sa buhay mo dahil siya ang maimpluwensya sa buhay mo. (That's why I advise people to choose the right partner. It's one of the most important decisions you'll make in your life because he or she will influence your life)," Sam added.

Sam, who seemed to have it all—wealth, a thriving career, and a loving family—expressed a deep, unwavering ambition to run for mayor of Manila. 

He envisioned transforming the bustling city, with its vibrant streets and rich cultural heritage, into a place where every resident felt valued and heard.

With a passion for community service and a desire to address pressing issues like traffic congestion and access to healthcare, Sam was determined to make a meaningful impact on the lives of the city's inhabitants.

"Dito po ako masaya eh ... sa pagtulong at pagbago ng buhay. Galing ako sa wala at alam ko ang pakiramdam ng wala at alam ko rin ang pakiramdam ng pag-angat. (I'm happy here... helping and changing lives. I came from nothing and I know what it feels like to have nothing and I also know what it feels like to be lifted up)," Sam explained despite already having everything he needed. 

"Marami na akong natulungan at nabagong buhay. Sobra-sobra ang blessing sa akin ng Panginoon. Hindi ito para solohin ko kundi para ishare ito sa mga tao. (I've helped many people and changed their lives. The Lord has blessed me so much. It's not for me to do it alone but to share it with.)

"Hindi lang naman resources ang binigay sa akin. Hindi lang naman kayamanan eh. Binigyan din ako ni Lord ng talino, experience, at leadership. Pero higit sa lahat binigyan niya ako ng puso. Yan ang pinaka-importante. (It's not just resources that were given to me. It's not just wealth. The Lord also gave me intelligence, experience, and leadership. But most of all, he gave me a heart. That's the most important thing.)

"Hindi naman ito patalinuhan at pagalingan. Maraming magaling at matalino. Minsan sa sobrang galing maraming tuso. Minsan ang nangyayari, iniisip nila ang sarili nila. Dapat ang mauna. (It's not about being smart and being treated. There are many good and intelligent people. Sometimes, with so much talent, there are many cunning people. Sometimes, they think only of themselves. They should come first)," Sam added.

Sam feels it is his calling to run for mayor of Manila and help the Manilenos.

"Ang pwede kong ipangako sa mga taga-Maynila. Wala akong interest sa pera ng Maynila. Meron na akong negosyo. Ako pa nga ang nagbibigay ng extra eh. Wala akong babawiin sa Maynila. Dadagdagan ko pa. Triple pa. Mas patitindihin ko pa. Ano ba naman na tulungan ko ang mga kababayan natin? Ang masaklap kasi is bago pa makarating sa Maynila bawas na. So ang umaasensyo ay yung mga namumuno. Ito na siguro ang calling ko. Malinis na puso at malinis na pamamalakad. Yan ang gagawin ko sa Maynila. Fulfilling this purpose brings happiness. (What I can promise the people of Manila. I have no interest in Manila's money. I already have businesses. I'm the one giving the extra. I won't take anything back from Manila. I'll increase it. Triple it. I'll make it even more intense. This is probably my calling. I have a clean heart and clean governance. That's what I'll do in Manila. Fulfilling this purpose brings happiness.)