Moreno visits Bataan community where he used to work as farmhand

Pilar, Bataan — Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on Wednesday visited Barangay Landing in this town where he used to work in a rice field as a farmhand during his early teens.

It was a homecoming of sorts in this rural village where he met again his fellow farmworkers 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 reminiscing the years when he would go on vacation here to visit his grandparents and play with his cousins when they were not busy working at the farm during harvest season. He recalled they were earning P75 a day then.

“Dito ko nagsisipok ng palay noong 11 hanggang 14 anyos ako. Malaki na sa kin ang 75 piso 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 earn from collecting garbage in Manila,” Moreno told members of the media, as he demonstrated how he does the actual “pagsipok ng palay.”

Moreno, along with his fellow Aksyon Demokratiko candidates, was welcomed by Pilar town Mayor Charlie Pizarro, who prepared a program at the barangay’s covered court.

Barangay Landing residents were ecstatic upon seeing Moreno, who was enthusiastic in yielding to requests for group pictures, especially from children and teenagers, who were all shouting “Isko.”

Moreno was almost teary-eyed when he was shown a video of an interview with his acquaintances in Barangay Landing. The first to be interviewed was Romeo Santos, 52, who admitted to bullying 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 Moreno “Scott” because that was the name embroidered on his short pants, which were almost worn out.

Jonathan Magano, who is almost the same age as Moreno, was his playmate back then and a fellow farmhand recalled that the Manila City mayor 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 Pizarro and the entire municipal council for the honor bestowed on him.

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

Unfortunately, Moreno’s “Nanay Chayong” died of complications last year, a day after the Manila City chief executive celebrated his 46th birthday on October 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 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,” he added.

Earlier, the Aksyon Demokratiko presidential bet also had a consultation with fisherfolks at the Puerto Rivas fish port in Balanga City as part of his slates ” 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 Gov. Albert “Abet” Garcia and Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos.

Garcia expressed gratitude to Moreno for the help of the Manila City government in 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.

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