PILAR, Bataan — Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso on Wednesday visited Barangay Landing here where he used to work in rice field as a farm hand when he was in his early teens.

It was a homecoming of sorts in this barangay where he met again his fellow farm workers and acquaintances, including a self-confessed bully of the mayor.

Moreno also visited the unmarked tomb of his grandmother before walking to the small hut where he used to stay with his maternal grandparents and cousins.

Moreno waxed nostalgic as he reminisced the years when he would go on vacation here to visit his grandparents and play with his cousins when they weren’t busy working in the farm during harvest season when they earn 75 pesos a day.

“Dito ko nagsisipok ng palay noong 11 hanggang 14 anyos ako. Malaki na sa kin ang P75 kada araw na sweldo. Pero sobrang kati sa kamay at braso ng palay. But I am thankful that I was able to earn money more than I earned from collecting garbage in Manila,” Moreno told the media as he demonstrated the actual “pagsipok ng palay.”

Moreno, along with his fellow Aksyon Demokratiko candidates, was welcomed by Pilar Mayor Charlie Pizarro, who prepared a program at the covered court in Barangay Landing.

Barangay Landing residents were ecstatic upon seeing Moreno, who was enthusiastic in giving in to requests for group pictures, especially from children and teenagers, who all shouted his name.

Moreno was almost teary-eyed when he was shown a video-interview of his acquaintances in Barangay Landing. The first to be interviewed was Romeo Santos, 52, who admitted bullying the Moreno who was five years his junior.

“Palibhasa’y pogi, si Scott (Isko) po ang nakakatawag ng pansin ng mga kababaihan tuwing naglalaro siya ng pool. Magaling din siya sa pool kaya nananalo. Magaslaw din siya at malikot kaya binabatukan ko na lang siya,” said Santos who apologized to the mayor for what he did more than 30 years ago.

Santos called Isko “Scott” because that was the name embroidered on his short pants, which were almost worn-out.

Jonathan Magano, who is almost the same age of Isko, his former playmate and fellow farm hand, recalled that Mayor Isko was a good friend and was always humble.

After the audio-visual presentation, Moreno received the Pilar Municipal Council resolution formally declaring him as “adopted son of Pilar, Bataan.”

Moreno thanked Mayor Pizarro and the entire municipal council for the honor bestowed on him as adopted son.

Moreno also acknowledged the help extended by Mayor Pizarro to his mother, Rosario Moreno, who was brought here in Barangay Landing to escape the COVID-19 pandemic in Metro Manila.

Unfortunately, Moreno’s “Nanay Chayong” died of complications last year, a day after the mayor celebrated his 46th birthday on Oct. 24, 2020.

“Dito sa Bataan, nag-trabaho rin ako, nagsipok ako ng palay, kumuha ako ng bato sa Nagwaling, lahat na ng hanapbuhay. Pag iisipin mo, parang imposible ano?” Moreno told the residents.

“So imaginin mo, pwede pala, posible pala. Huwag kayong mawawalan ng pag-asa. Baka yung mga anak ninyo, maging Isko rin. Dahil tayong lahat ay may Isko sa buhay. Ang Isko ay simbolo ng pagsubok at dahil hindi tayo sumusuko, nakararaos tayo,” Moreno added.

Earlier, the Aksyon Demokratiko presdidential bet also had a consultation with fisherfolks at the Puerto Rivas fish port in Balanga City as part of his listening tour.

“Basta may hanapbuhay, pinapasok natin kaya nakikipagkwetuhan tayo sa mga mangigisda, mga magsasaka para matugunan natin ang pangangailangan nila,” said Moreno.

Moreno also paid a courtesy visit to Bataan Governor Albert “Abet” Garcia and Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos.

Garcia expressed gratitude to Moreno for the Manila local government’s help in aiding the province’s efforts against COVID-19.

“Siya po ang tumulong sa atin na magset-up ng ating cold chain facility kaya dumating agad ang supply ng bakuna dito sa Bataan. Tinulungan din po tayo ni Mayor Isko na makakuha ng mga gamot laban sa COVID-19,” said Garcia.