Mayor Isko Moreno recounts experience of scavenging for food for Noche Buena
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Mayor Isko Moreno on Christmas plans for the City of Manila: “In preparation for the holidays, ang sabi ko, unahin natin 'yung kagutuman.”
Manila Mayor Isko Moreno is making sure that even though we are in the midst of a pandemic, Manileños will still feel the Christmas spirit this holiday season.
Mayor Isko Moreno shares Christmas plans for the City of Manila amid the pandemic / Source: Tunay na Buhay
During his Tunay na Buhay interview with host Pia Arcangel, Mayor Isko revealed that he had ordered for the local government of Manila to recycle old Christmas decors, so they can use the budget instead to provide Noche Buena packages for the less fortunate residents of Manila.
“In preparation for the holidays, ang sabi ko,'Unahin natin 'yung kagutuman. I-refurbish n'yo nga 'yung parol. 'Wag kayong bumili ng bagong parol.'
"'Tapos, the same thing with our Christmas tree, so that we can save a lot of money.
“'Cause I really wanted to give about 650,000 families something to… 'yung may mapagharimunan sa gabi ng abente kwatro.”
This move comes as no surprise because Mayor Isko, a certified Batang Tondo, had once experienced scavenging for food when he was young.
So, he knows too well what it's like to have an empty stomach and not have food on the table for Noche Buena.
Throwback photo of a young Mayor Isko Moreno/ Source: Tunay na Buhay
He recounted, “Naalala ko dati nagbabasura ako. 'Pag mga abente tres at abente dos na, sasabihin ng nanay ko, 'Tingnan mo kung may madali ka mamaya na hotdog attsaka hamon para sa Pasko.'
“'Tapos merong isang lugar doon sa Muelle, 'yung Divisoria Market. May portion doon na [puro] meat. E, kaya lamang, siguro sa dami ng nagtitinda, minsan may mga dumadausdos, nahuhulog na dalawang pirasong hotdog o nasasama sa plastik.
“O, kaya 'yung tinatawag na retaso sa hamon. May retaso 'yun, e, kasi pwede kang bumili ng slices ng hamon. Eh kaya lang meron retaso 'yon.
“Ayon. Natsatsambahan ko 'yun. Kaya lang minsan, maasim na. At least 'di mon a kailangan ng suka. (laughs)”
Watch Mayor Isko Moreno talk more about his humble beginnings in the Tunay na Buhay episode below.
For more celebrity features like this, watch Tunay na Buhay every Wednesday, 10:30 P.M. on GMA News TV.
And for more lifestyle content, head out to GMA's Lifestyle page.
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