Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno

Manila Vice Mayor, Isko Moreno (real name Francsico Domagoso) charmed local officials from all over the world during a recent visit to the US.

As reported by GMA news, Moreno apparently merited attention, more so admiration, from his international counterparts after revealing his humble beginnings as a street urchin.

“’Yong iba ‘di makapaniwala talaga. ‘Yong iba naman sobrang curious about it. Hindi nila sukat akalain na meron palang ganoon. Meron palang tsansa [na umasenso] ang isang taong [dati ay] basurero,” said he in an interview.

Among those who expressed high regard for Moreno was Asfand Yar Khan, a mayor from Pakistan.

“This is what [a] self-made person is. Whatever he has done here he has achieved through hard work,” said he in a separate interview.

Another is Anna Melissa Zarraga Zamora, a public official from Carracas, Venezuela.

“He’s an inspiration for people [especially those] coming from the grassroots.”

Moreno stayed for over a month in the US after having been invited by the US government to participate in a seminar of sorts on local governance.

“Noong una, tumawag sa akin (US officials). ‘Di ako makapaniwala (receiving the invite),” he related in an earlier interview for radio.

“Pero siyempre I’m proud na napili tayo. Imagine from all over the world ‘yan, tapos isa tayo sa napili.”

Moreno vowed to put into practice what he learned during the month-long immersion.