MANILA Mayor and Aksyon Demokratiko standard bearer Isko Moreno is the only candidate who experienced first-hand how it is to be a squatter and how it is to go hungry. Literally.

Funny thing is that some are saying that his background as a former squatter is not true.

Recently, a video of comedienne-host-actress Tessie Tomas interviewing the then 15-year-old Isko Moreno of ‘That’s Entertainment’ came out on social media.

In what appeared to be his first live interview on television, Moreno was asked by Tomas how he was discovered.

Mayor Kois narrated that he was attending the wake of a relative of his discoverer Wowie Roxas when a certain ‘Dindin’ who was with Roxas when he arrived at the wake, saw Moreno’s potential.

Moreno said he was playing ‘pusoy’ with his friends when ‘Dindin’ told him he can qualify as a member of ‘That’s’.

Roxas managed his career and the rest is history.

Moreno said it was at Mabuhay corner Tuazon Streets in Tondo.

“Nung walong-taong gulang po ako, nagkakariton po ako. Tumutulong po ako sa magulang ko kasi istibador (stevedore) lang po ang tatay ko (sa Pier) eh mallit lang po sahod niya so, tumulong po ako sa aking magulang. Bale po, pumupunta po kami ng Divisoria, nangangariton (garbage collector),” Moreno said.

Moreno recounted that when he reached high school, he become a pedicab driver in order to earn more. By that, he meant P180 a day. He said that he plied the Juan Luna- Lakandula route on a daily basis.

The video clip of Moreno’s short interview with Tomas belies any attempts to picture him as someone selling a ‘fake’ background.

Those behind these attempts probably see how relatable Moreno had become to the ordinary citizens because of where he came from. He also serves as an inspiration for having made it this far, despite his poverty roots.

Whe he was a first-termer at the Manila City Council where he served as an alderman from the first district of Tondo, Moreno never lied about his background.

He would consistently narrate how hard his life had been as a squatter who, as a kid, ate ‘pagpag’ or leftovers from Jolibee where he collected garbage.

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Jokjok (from Ronnie Tandoc of Bulacan)– Isang bata ang inutusan para bumili sa isang store ng juice na nasa sachet—Bata: Ale, pabili nga po ng isang juice na nasa litro pack/Tindera: ‘Yung powder ba?/Bata: Ay, baket po ate, may bareta ba kayong juice?!?

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