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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Celebrities devider Talent manager Wowie Roxas celebrates 33 years of friendship with Manila Mayor Isko Moreno

Talent manager Wowie Roxas celebrates 33 years of friendship with Manila Mayor Isko Moreno

Published Jan 11, 2026 10:36 am
Popular talent manager Wowie Roxas expressed gratitude for his 33 years of friendship with Manila Mayor Isko Moreno.
Manila Mayor Isko Moreno (left) and talent manager Wowie Roxas (Facebook)
Manila Mayor Isko Moreno (left) and talent manager Wowie Roxas (Facebook)
On Facebook, Wowie and Isko shared a photo together, which the talent manager used as his profile picture.
The caption read: "The magical union of two hearts, merging into one blessed with kindness. 33 years of love and devotion."
In an exclusive interview with the Manila Bulletin Entertainment in Septenber 2020, Wowie said he has known Isko since he was 16.
He discovered the former teen star while attending his aunt's wake in Tondo, Manila. Wowie then groomed Isko to become an actor who later successfully ventured into politics.
The talent manager said he shared a YouTube video of his aunt's wake, in which the young Isko was seen having fun with some friends.
Wowie said that 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)."
Now 51, Isko was about 18 when he dreamed of joining politics, Wowie 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.
Wowie 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's first foray into politics was his service on the Manila City Council from 1998 to 2007.  He became the 32nd Vice Mayor of Manila from 2007 to 2016. Isko then became Manila's mayor from 2019 to 2022. Then, in 2025, Isko also became the 29th Mayor of Manila.
Asked what qualities of Isko he would like the millennials to emulate, Wowie said: "Isko wants to learn a lot of things. Naniniwala siya na napapag-aralan naman ang lahat. (He believes that everything can be learned.)"
Wowie said Isko'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. (His family is his last priority these days. Constituents first. Constituents are more important to him now. That's how dedicated he is to serving the public. His wife is also strong and understanding. She's very supportive of Isko's career)," he added.
Veteran entertainment journalist Jun Nardo said he was a witness to the successful rise of Isko from movies to politics through Wowie.
"Mula sa isang simpleng tao, hinubog mo Daddy ang kakakayan ni Isko at nagtagumpay sa larangaj ng pelikula at politika! Isa na syang political leader na tapat at buong puso ang paglilingkod sa tao lalo na s Maynila! Markado na ang isang Isko sa pulitika at kahanga-hanga ang paghubog ng isang Daddy Wowie sa katauhan niya! Happy anniversary sa inyong dalawa!" (From a simple person, Daddy shaped Isko's character and made him successful in the film and political arena! He is now a political leader who is honest and wholehearted in serving the people, especially in Manila! Isko has already made a mark in politics, and the way Daddy Wowie has shaped him as a person is amazing! Happy anniversary to you both!)" wrote Jun.
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