ISKO MORENO:
Man for All Seasons
Actor, host, businessman, and public servant. Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso has successfully navigated through life’s many plot twists by using his street smarts, resourcefulness and a tremendous amount of patience and fortitude.
Text by Aedrianne Acar
Photos by Michael Paunlagui and Clare Cabudil
Additional photos courtesy of Sparkle, Scott Media,
Isko Moreno (Instgram), Joaquin Domagoso (Facebook)
On a rainy Tuesday evening in July, the GMANetwork.com team headed to the bustling Bonifacio Global City in Taguig to interview a showbiz personality, whose story of overcoming abject poverty and adversity has been a source of inspiration to many.
Who would have thought that a former garbage scavenger from Tondo (Manila) now has a brand new office for his media company in the country’s business and lifestyle center for the wealthy?
On top of that, he’s also left an indelible mark as a strong-willed leader in one of the biggest cities in the Philippines, not to mention that he is a former Presidential contender, too.
Located at the Highstreet South Building, Francisco “Isko” Domagoso’s start-up company Scott Media is as homy as it can get. What makes this family business even more unique is that you immediately notice that they tapped young talents, many fresh off from college, to help them build their enterprise and produce their viral content-generating online shows like ‘Iskovery Nights’ and ‘Marites University.’
We were ushered into his office at the end of the hallway. We then saw our interview subject, seated on his chair, still full of energy even if he just came from his hosting duties for the longest-running noontime show Eat Bulaga.
With all that he has accomplished as a former executive of a big city like Manila, one couldn’t help but expect someone with an intimidating presence. We experienced none of that.
Wearing a stylish oversized jumper with the word “cloud” on it, cargo pants, and a black cap- if you didn’t know him or his background as a public figure, Isko would easily blend in as one of those millennials working in BGC or enjoying a night out with friends.
When we asked him how we should address his, he flashed a big, friendly smile and just said, “Yorme na lang.”
Starting Up with Scott Media
Retirement has never been an option for the 47-year-old Isko.
He might have suffered a setback to become the next President of the country in the May 2022 elections, but he has so much to offer outside government service that choosing to pack up his bags and leave the public eye didn’t cross his mind.
Mayor Isko’s eyes immediately lit up the moment he talked about their family business Scott Media, which consumed most of his days since he left the political ring.
“Okey naman, awa ng Diyos, we need to move on with our lives at the end of the day.” Yorme said with a smile. “We have to find our roads or directions. When one door closes, another one opens and we try to create something out of it. I’m very happy. Immediately after that [elections] my kids and I went into business, which they agreed to. We wanted to be involved again in showbiz, but this time, behind the camera. That’s how we formed Scott Media.”
For Yorme, their company is more like a family endeavor, a “project” that he works on together with his kids Patrick, Frances Diane, and Sparkle artist Joaquin Domagoso. Aside from the three, he and his wife Diana Lynn Ditan also have two other children named Franco and Drake.
“We are a start-up company that offers and creates content for digital consumption. ’Yung mga programa namin na ‘Marites University’ channel sa YouTube, ‘Unplugged World’ para mabigyan ng opportunity ’yung mga upcoming bands na makita ’yung kanilang talent.” he said, explaining what they do in Scott Media.
“The other one is my channel ‘Iskovery Night’ inilalabas naman ’yun sa Isko Domagoso [YouTube channel]. It’s been a couple of months now here in BGC. We have our own studio. Modest studio and good group of people— young individuals. It’s their first job from graduation na-hire na sila dito sa Scott Media and we are very proud of them. And I’m very proud of Patrick, Joaquin, and Frances being involved. While Joaquin is doing acting with GMA under Sparkle [GMA Artist Center], Patrick has already graduated with his academic dreams, siya ang COO ng company and Frances is still studying in La Salle, from time to time she helps in the business.”
Throughout our chat, Yorme would often mention the phrase “moving on,” a clear indication that he has put politics behind him, and that his failed bid for the highest position in the land is water under the bridge.
Moreno explained, “It’s like a family thing and sabi ko nga, [turning] adversity to your advantage. You fail in something or from one thing then depende sa perspective mo kung how are you going to deal with it. I always try to move on with my life. The good news about having a business is [you get to] provide opportunity for others- talent, creatives, and production. More than that, I’m always with my kids.”
The mentors in Isko’s life
The success story of Yorme is stuff of legends.
Even Isko admitted that he could not fathom how he reached this point in his life, considering where his life started in the slums of Tondo with his father, Joaquin Copias Domagoso, a stevedore at the Manila North Harbor, and his mother, Rosario Moreno, a housewife- laundrywoman from Northern Samar.
Before making a name for himself in the cutthroat world of politics, Isko was first and foremost an actor.
Isko couldn’t help looking back with fondness on those people who were instrumental in his showbiz career and who gave him a shot at a better life. Mentors that up to this day Yorme would talk about with gratitude and reverence.
“I started with GMA and I got discovered by Kuya Germs [the late German Moreno] through That’s Entertainment. Daddy Wowie [Roxas, talent manager] and I were introduced to Kuya Germs. And then I did the late afternoon show of GMA, which was That’s Entertainment, then after a while I did a lot of TeleSine.
Moreno also paid tribute to GMA Integrated News showbiz reporter Lhar Santiago, who honed his talents and taught him to stand out in the crowded local entertainment scene.
Talking about the seasoned entertainment journalist, he said, “In fact, Tito Lhar is one of those people who taught me some skills as an actor through his workshops. Nag-aral din ako sumayaw, natuto nang konti. Nag-aral ako kumanta, sumuko ’yung instructor ko [laughs]. Mentoring is a very good blessing also for me, maraming nag-mentor sa akin.”
Yorme still considers himself lucky for meeting people who genuinely wanted to see him succeed in life. “Marami akong mentor sa showbiz at the same time marami rin akong mentor sa business, marami rin ako mentor sa government service. Now, [I’m] sharing what I have learned tungkol sa mga payo nila at sa practical experience sa buhay working.”
The proud Tondo Boy goes to Harvard
In the city of Manila, Isko was a titan. He started his political career at 23, serving as a city councilor for three consecutive terms, 1998 to 2001, 2001 to 2004, 2004 to 2007. When he exhausted his eligibility for a seat in the City Council, he aimed for a higher position and succeeded, winning the Vice Mayor position in 2007. At the time, the hot-streaking Isko was the youngest candidate to ever win the vice mayoral race in the history of Manila.
Isko may have failed in his Senatorial bid in 2016, but three years later, Manileños handed him the key to the city and elected him as their Mayor. In a surprise turn of events, Isko slayed his rivals that were considered political giants: the retired president Joseph Estrada and former Senator Alfredo Lim.
Looking back on his political career, Isko credited another mentor in his life, former Vice Mayor Danny Lacuna, the father of the incumbent Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna. Isko said that it was Danny who instilled in him the “value of education.”
As he was moving up the political ladder, Isko kept Danny's advice to heart. He then managed to finish a Business Administration degree from the International Academy of Management and Economics in 2003. In 2012, when Isko had already garnered experience and influence, he got accepted into the executive program of the John F. Kennedy School of Government in Harvard University, Massachusetts, no less.
Sharing his experience from a decade ago like it was yesterday, Moreno remembered how he applied for the short course being offered by one of the most prestigious educational institutions in the world.
“When I applied for the Executive Program sa John F. Kennedy School (JFK) of Government in Harvard, it was me and my wife. I was in bed and I said to my wife, ‘Mommy, hmmm, gusto ko tirahin ’tong ino-offer ng JFK School of Government.’ Sabi niya, ‘Huh? E, ’di ba hirap ka mag-English?,’ he said, smiling. “’Yun nga ’yung problema ko. Pero, if I’m going to try, at least nasabi ko sa sarili ko I did try. Sabi ko nga, walang mawawala sa akin. In-open ko ’yung website ng Harvard and nag-apply ako.”
The good news came a week later.
“After a week I was in a lobby of a hotel when I received an email. ‘Uy, from Harvard.’ Siyempre pini-pinta ko pa. ’Pag pinta ko ganiyan, ‘Congratulations, Mr. Domagoso, welcome to JFK School of Government.’ So very excited, I shared [it] to my wife and my kids and to my friends at that time nando-doon kami sa dinner.”
What was life as a student of Harvard like?
“Nung pagpasok ko mero’n table, designated area, so, arriving na kami sa buong mundo on that particular day. So, nasa desk ka, you show your credentials then you'll be given an ID and the key for the dorm. I forgot the name, I don’t know if I’m correct about [the dorm]. It’s across the river, very cold, you walk. But there’s a bus na free, Harvard School bus that goes around the Harvard Square. Sakay ka doon. It’s like a student village, ’tapos dorm ka. Dalawa kayo sa dorm, share kayo. I was with a Middle Eastern guy, ’tapos the following day klase na. Day in and day out in the next 10 days, you have to come in prepared and ’tapos nung nasa classroom na, ’yun na ’yung parang napapanood mo sa pelikula, ’yung setup talaga.”
In hindsight, Harvard was a “surreal experience” for Yorme, a boy who grew up in Tondo but ended up rubbing elbows with global leaders and learning from the best minds at Harvard.
“It's surreal. Parang ’pag iisipin mo, wow, basurero ka lang dati, ang sama mo mag-English. Gusto mo lang matuto sa buhay and you’re there in one of the best, if I may put that in perspective, one of the best schools for government. Nasarapan ako, umulit ako [laughs]. Dumalawa ako, but before ako bumalik in my second Executive Program sa Harvard, I went to Oxford, kasi I wanted to learn also ’yung European perspective. It’s a very good experience and it made me better.”
Taking on the challenge of hosting Eat Bulaga
The quick and sudden exodus of showbiz legends Tito Sotto, Joey de Leon, and Vic Sotto from the noontime program Eat Bulaga sent shock waves across the Philippine entertainment scene back in May 2023.
For some, filling in the holes left by the veteran hosts for the country’s iconic show seemed too tall an order. But not for Isko. He took the herculean task head on. Isko saw Eat Bulaga as a chance for him to return to what he loves doing—helping those in need, those who were left hanging.
“Salamat sa Diyos, salamat sa Creatives sa TAPE Incorporated,” he said. “I'm honored and happy with this situation and to take up this challenge. There was a vacuum. It’s really a very challenging task. Hindi naman natin puwede ikaila ’yung mga nagawa nina Tito, Vic, and Joey sa buhay natin. ’Yung pagkilala nandodoon naman, it is, just again, that life must go on.“
He continued, “There’s a vacuum, and you need to fill up the vacuum, so hindi rin maapektuhan ’yung buhay ng ibang empleyado. In the same manner, Entertainment is also public service, you make people smile, happy, makalimutan nila saglit ang problema nila sa tanghali araw-araw via Eat Bulaga.’Yung second nature ko nagagawa ko pa, which is ’yung tumulong.”
With a ton of experience under his belt, Isko was quick to extended a helping hand to his younger co-hosts in Eat Bulaga, like the twins Cassy and Mavy Legaspi and Kimpoy Feliciano to take some of the pressure off their shoulders.
“Wala naman prefect formula sa lahat ng shows. In some you will fail, in some you will succeed. And I always tell them, sinasabi ni Kuya Germs lagi, ‘Do your best!’ Once sumindi ang ilaw, nandiyan ’yung camera, do your part. Excel from it and leave it to the viewers.”
Doing Eat Bulaga brought back a lot of memories for Isko, particularly the time he served in Manila.
“Lalo na ’yung ‘G sa Gedli’,” he said with a sigh, referring to the Eat Bulaga segment where the hosts go out of the studio and interview random people on the street. “It reminded me of City Hall. Kasi nakikita ko ’yung sarili ko sa kanila nangangailangan ako ng tulong, ’tapos nakakita ako ng segment ng show na puwede ako makatulong. I hope we can continue to give hope sa atin mga Kapuso [and] continue to inspire and make them smile, despite the hardship na nae-experience ng taong bayan every day. Sabi ko, ‘If this is a calling, why not?”
On July 1, the battle for noontime supremacy got heated up.
A few days prior, ABS-CBN signed a historic partnership with GMA-7 that opened the door for the Kapamilya noontime program It’s Showtime to be aired on GTV, while TVJ also joined in on the fray with their own show on TV5.
A cause of concern for others, but for Isko, he saw that turn of events in a positive light. This shake up in the noontime slot was a big win for the audience, since it offered them a lot of choices to be entertained.
“I'm happy for our people, why? Dami nilang option ngayon. Kumbaga sa hotel, buffet! Marami ng option ang tao and competition brings the best out of everybody. So, if everyone is doing their best, masaya ako para sa mga kababayan natin.”
Witnessing the rise of Joaquin Domagoso
Show business runs in the blood of the Domagoso family.
The allure of showbiz life was just too enticing that even Isko Moreno’s son, Joaquin Domagoso, couldn’t resist it, eventually following in his dad’s footsteps. A contract star of Sparkle GMA Artist Center since January 2020, Joaquin got his big break via the primetime series First Yaya (2021) and again in the sequel First Lady, which aired the following year. But the 20-year-old seem to have flourished in the world of cinema, particularly in the movie “That Boy In The Dark” directed by the highly-esteemed filmmaker Adolfo Alix Jr..
Like the floodgates being opened, Joaquin bagged one award after another for his role Knight, a boy who has countless paranormal experiences while living with his grandfather. Joaquin brought home trophies from the Boden International Film Festival in Sweden, the 2022 Five Continents International Film Festival (Venezuela), and the 16th Toronto Film and Script Awards. In February 2023, the young Domagaso added another award to his trophy haul: the Best Youth Actor Award from the 2023 New York Independent Cinema Awards.
Yorme said in jest, “Olat pa ako nun. Ako puro nomination lang nung araw. Mas maganda talaga ang bunga 'noh? [laughs]. Sa kaniya talagang award e, nanalo siya ng award. I’m happy and proud of him. I always tell him, if there’s an opportunity for him to act or portray a character- be the best that you can be and put a level of discipline about it. They really have to put their heart in it and I’m happy and proud of him. In fact, wala, naungusan na niya ako in terms of recognition in the skill set of being an actor.”
Does he agree that Joaquin is a better actor than he was back in the day?
Without missing a beat, he replied, “I would say that, kasi siya certified na. Ako nomination lang, e. I’m happy that [he’s with] Sparkle GMA Artist Center, I started with GMA. He’s in good hands so far.”
A few weeks after our sit-down interview, another big plot twist came Yorme's way. On July 20, the actor-politician was warmly welcomed back into his former home network, GMA-7, this time as a Sparkle artist. Prior to this milestone, he already signed a long-term contract with TAPE to host Eat Bulaga. The Sparkle contract signing was the type of homecoming that warmed Isko’s heart.
“Salamat sa Diyos. Sabi nga ’pag may nagsasarang isang pintuan, may nagbubukas naman na isa. I’m happy to be back in my first career in life, if I may put that in the right perspective, which is showbiz. Because pinagpapasalamat ko kay Kuya Germs nung madiskubre ako ni Daddy Wowie and went into the afternoon show That’s Entertainment with Kuya Germs and it’s here in GMA-7. That’s why katulad nung sabi ko, it’s good to be home again.”
He went on, “I’m also excited to be part of Sparkle group and hopefully with the message of the chairman [Atty. Felipe L. Gozon], I can give justice and add to [the] sparkling life of GMA-7.”
The newly-minted Sparkle star is back to where he truly belongs.
“In a way, of course. Hindi naman mawawala e, kasi unang-una ito ang naging hagdanan ko sa pag-akyat ng buhay, ang showbiz through GMA-7.”
