A 10-year-old garbage collector who later became the Mayor of the City of Manila.

(Manila Public Information Office photo/ File photo / MANILA BULLETIN)

"Isipin mo, basurero lang ako, naging Mayor pa ako ng Maynila. Lahat ng masasakit na salita, akusasyon, pandurog ng pagkatao, matitikman (mo)(I was just a garbage collector and I became the Mayor of Manila. I had to endure all hurtful words, accusations, and character assassination)," Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso said.

Domagoso was the special guest of singer/actress Toni Gonzaga-Soriano on "Toni Talks" which was uploaded on her YouTube Channel.

The interview was conducted on June 26 before the National Capital Region was placed under the enhanced community quarantine. It was uploaded only on Sunday, Aug. 22.

Domagoso shared with Gonzaga his journey to becoming mayor of the capital city of the country.

"Wag kang magpapakatimawa. Hindi baleng mahirap ka. You give dignity to yourself. Wag kang 'yung kalabit penge. Magsikap ka." (Do not allow yourself to become destitute. It is better to be poor but still maintain your dignity. Don't go begging for dole outs. You have to work hard.)

This was one of the lessons Domagoso learned from his mother Rosario Moreno who died on Oct. 25, 2020.

Domagoso collected junks to sell them at a local junk dealer and rummaged through garbage bins for leftover food which his mother would recycle and cook.

He also said the basic need to have a roof over one's head was what prompted him to launch in-city housing projects such as the Basecommunity, Tondominium 1 & 2, and Binondominium 1.

The city government will also build four to six buildings on Pedro Gil, San Lazaro, and San Sebastian, as part of the city government's housing projects.

"It addresses the same story of mine. Merong mga nanay at tatay na walang inisip 'yan kundi magkaroon ng sariling bahay. So kung hindi natupad ng nanay at tatay ko sa akin, at least I'm grateful to God and I'm grateful to the people of Manila. Now I have an opportunity to change the course of their lives by pouring government resources in addressing this (dearth in housing) situation," Domagoso said.

A simple "thank you" from the people of Manila has been the mayor's source of energy.

"When you say thank you, 'Yorme, ty ah!' 'yun ang baterya mo, music to your ears 'yon eh na may tinamaan ka na buhay. The pain, the recognition, the laurels at the end of the day, it's the people who will appreciate them," he said.

Domagoso keeps a painting and a sculpture of a boy pushing a cart in his home that constantly remind him of where he came from.

Asked if he will be seeking a higher position in government, Domagoso said he will be honest and tell the people when the "time is right."

"Just to be fair with you. Lahat ng politiko, kapag sinawsaw na 'yung paa sa swimming pool ng pulitika, ang maximum goal niyan presidency. Career growth 'yun eh," he said.

"Ako kasi, there is a time for that and I will be honest with the people and be fair at the very least by saying it at the right time," he added.

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