He used to be one of the more promising faces on television until politics lured him away from the klieg lights. The former That’s Entertainment (GMA Network) talent in the early 90s can’t seem to look away from showbiz as he can’t forget his poor beginnings when Wowie Roxas literally picked him up from the dumpsites in Tondo, Manila and brought him to the studios of GMA Network where German Moreno immediately with his mestizo features gave him a chance to be part of his TV family.
In the long run, Francisco Domagoso, whose childhood was spent scavenging to help his parents (father, Joaquin Domagoso, is a stevedore and mother, Rosario Moreno, a laundrywoman) eke a living.
But, Isko has always been determined to make something of his life. Even when he was then considered a promising name in the entertainment world, he did not stop from dreaming. He wanted to be a seaman, so, he matriculated at Philippine Maritime Institute (PMI). Though his dream to be a seafarer was aborted when Roxas (whom he refers as Daddy Wowie up until today) discovered him, getting a higher education had always been foremost in the then budding entertainer.
In 1998, he ran for councilor, driven by an urge to help fellowmen in Tondo. He won and again ran for the same position in the next two elections, winning overwhelmingly. While a councilor, he pursued his dream of finishing college and eventually graduating as a management major at International Academy of Management and Economics. He wanted to be a lawyer, too, and was in the third year of a course in law at Arellano College of Law when he decided he’d pursue a higher position in the city government. He was elected vice mayor in 2007 and re-elected in 2010 and again in 2013 with former President Joseph Estrada.
In the last elections, prior to his election to his last term as a vice mayor of Manila, he said he wanted to be the next mayor of the city. Three years later, he was singing a different tune, and decided to gun for a national position.
On Oct. 16, he decided he wanted to pursue a seat in the Senate in this year’s elections.
Moreno’s camp organized a ceremonial launch of his senatorial bid, last year, at the Tondo High School, where the three-term vice mayor studied.
Senator Grace Poe and her running mate Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero attended the ceremony. Both expressed support for the 40-year-old politician’s 2016 senatorial bid.
Moreno was also met with a crowd of Manileños in white shirts bearing his campaign slogan, “Pursigido, Isko Moreno (Determined, Isko Moreno).”
Screens showing a live stream of the program in Tondo – notoriously known as a densely populated and poor area in the city – were strategically positioned for his supporters spread out in the area.
Right after the program in Tondo, Moreno proceeded to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) main office in Intramuros to make his bid official.
After his Comelec filing, Moreno introduced himself as a “certified dating basurero, dating sidecar boy (certified former garbage man, former sidecar driver)” born in Manila with 18 years of experience in local legislation.
In endorsing Moreno, Poe emphasized his humble beginnings. She said Moreno’s life story provides inspiration to many Filipinos living in poverty.
