Sam Verzosa on possible debate with Isko Moreno: ‘Hinding-hindi ako aatras diyan! Anytime, anywhere!’
On Monday, April 14, the regular Pandesal Forum held at the 86-year-old Kamuning Bakery, featured Manila mayoralty candidate Sam Verzosa. It was hosted by Wilson Lee Flores, the iconic cafe’s owner. During the event, Verzosa shared his life story, motivations, plans for Manila, and confidently addressed the current issues involving his tough competition and his growth in terms of voters’ preference in a recent survey.
On his personal life and career success
To start things off, Verzosa expressed his gratitude for his life’s journey. “Kakaiba ‘yung istorya ko eh. From nothing,” Verzosa said. “Kung kailan ako tumanda, doon niya ako binigyan ng TV show. Hindi ko akalain magiging co-host ako ni Kuya Will. Hindi ko makakalain magkakaroon ako ng show sa GMA7.” (“It was when I got older that He gave me a TV show. I never thought I’d be Kuya Will’s co-host. I never thought I’d have my own show on GMA7.”)
Reflecting on his past, Verzosa described his family’s humble beginnings and his own academic achievements, “From nothing yung magulang ko galing mga probinsya… walang pinamana sa akin kundi edukasyon ko kaya nag-aral ako. Naging valedictorian tayo nung high school, nanalo sa Battle of the Brains, naging scholar sa UP Diliman, naging licensed civil engineer.” (“My parents came from the provinces… they had nothing to leave me but my education, so I studied. I became valedictorian in high school, won in the Battle of the Brains, became a scholar at UP Diliman, became a licensed civil engineer.”) He also acknowledged his relationship with actress Rhian Ramos as a blessing, stating happily, “Ako rin po ‘yung jowa ni Rhian Ramos” (“I’m also Rhian Ramos’s partner”).
Decision to run
When asked about his decision to run for Mayor, Verzosa stated, “Kung hindi ako lalaban, sino sila-sila ulit? Kung hindi ngayon, kailan pa magkakaroon ng pagbabago sa Maynila?” (“If I don’t fight, who will it be but them again? If not now, when else will there be change in Manila?”) He believes he has been prepared for this role, “Inihandaha Niya pala ako para dito sa pagka-mayor.” (“It seems He prepared me for this mayoralty race.”)
Campaign challenges
Verzosa described the challenges of his campaign. He thinks this is his most difficult battle to date. “Ito ho 15 hours na lakaran sa house-to-house. Pagkatapos noo, meron pa akong mga caucus. Pagkatapos noon, may mga meetings pa ako,” (“This is a 15-hour battle of house-to-house campaigning. After that, there are house visits, then I have caucuses. After that, I still have meetings.”) He compared it to running marathons, emphasizing its difficulty, “Alam niyo yung marathon ko 6 hours yun eh… ito ho 15 hours na labanan.” (“You know, my marathon is 6 hours… this is a 15-hour battle.”) It looks like Verzosa’s efforts are paying off as a recent survey shows his rise in popularity, overtaking his rival Honey Lacuña in the race, placing second to the well-loved former Manila mayor Isko Moreno.
On constantly winning in life
Despite these challenges, Verzosa remains determined, drawing strength from his past experiences. He shared, “Marami na akong laban sa buhay ko. Lahat ‘yan pinanalo ko. Bata pa lang akong sabihin hanggang diyan ka na lang sa Sampaloc. Hindi ka makaka-graduate. Kaya lalo kong ginalingan,” (“I’ve had many battles in my life. I’ve won them all. Ever since I was young, they’d say I’d only amount to something in Sampalok. That I wouldn’t graduate. That’s why I worked even harder.”)
Verzosa also addressed criticisms and his motivation for running. “Wala akong plano bumawi once elected. Hindi ko kailangan ang yaman ng Maynila dahil hindi sa pagyayabang, lubos-lubos na po ang biyaya ko mula sa itaas,” (“I have no plans to recoup anything once elected. I don’t need Manila’s wealth because, not to brag, my blessings from above are overflowing,”) Verzosa clarified. He also added, “Gusto ko lang sabihin na iaalay ko ang lahat ng nasa akin para sa lahat ng Manilenyo.” (“I just want to say that I will offer everything I have for all the people of Manila.”)
Relationship with Rhian Ramos
Speaking of what he has, Verzosa openly discussed his steady relationship with Rhian Ramos, stating that the actress never endorsed any other candidate in the past. He expressed his gratitude for her support, noting, “Sobra akong pasalamat kagabi [in a rally]. Hindi naman niya sinabing ‘Vote for me!’ Ang sinabi niya lang kung paano niya ako kilala bilang tao,” (“I’m so grateful for last night. She didn’t say ‘vote for me.’ She just said how she knows me as a person,”) and “four years na kami kung meron mang nakakilala sa aking tao na araw-araw kong kasama, siya na yon.” (“We’ve been together for 4 years, and if anyone knows who I am as a person, it’s her, because she’s with me every day.”)
Plans for Manila
Outlining his vision, Verzosa said, “Alam ko na yung calling ko. Alam ko na po yung purpose sa mundo ko. At yun ay baguhin, tulungan, at sagipin yung mga kababayan ko,” (“I know what my calling is. I know my purpose in this world. And that is to change, help, and save my countrymen,”) and “Gusto ko naman i-share kung ano ang meron ako sa mga taga Manilenyo at makapagsilbi ng buong puso,” (“I want to share what I have with the people of Manila and serve them wholeheartedly.”) Verzosa outlined his plans for Manila, including improving the Manila Film Festival, developing the Metropolitan Theater and Intramuros, and supporting youth education.
Regarding the Manila Film Festival, he envisions it as a week-long celebration. “Pagsasama-samahin natin lahat ng resources ng Maynila para maalagaan yung mga turista at maikalat nila sa mga bansa nila kung gaano kaganda yung Maynila,” (“We will combine all of Manila’s resources to value the tourists and for them to spread in their countries how beautiful Manila is,”) Verzosa said. He added, “Kailangan kong mai-market yan sa buong mundo na merong Manila Film Festival.” (“I need to market this to the whole world that the Manila Film Festival exists.”)
He also plans to make Luneta more accessible: “Kailangan bukas siya 24 hours at ang pinakaimportante dapat safe,” (“It needs to be open 24 hours and, most importantly, it should be safe,”) and “Gagawin nating safe and talagang ah mapupuntahan accessible yan 24 hours para mag-enjoy yung mga…pati ibang lugar.” (“We will make it safe and truly accessible 24 hours so that everyone, including those from other places, can enjoy it.”)
On his and Ramos’s long-term plans: “Isa nga yan sa pinag ah pinag-agreehan namin nung unang magkakilala kami. ‘Yung plano namin ‘pag tumanda kami na gusto naming magtayo ng isang komunidad na ang tawag ko nga sustainable village,” (“That’s one of the things we agreed on when we first met: our plan when we get older is that we want to build a community that I call a sustainable village.”)
On possible debate with Isko Moreno
Verzosa expressed his readiness for a debate: “Kung magkakaroon man if ever ng debate, may mag-o-organize ang mga grupo ay handa po tayong lumaban at sumagot. Sabi ko nga po, kailangan magkaroon ng debate. Kailangan magkaroon ng talakayan. Para malaman ng tao ano ba talaga ‘yung plano ng bawt isa. Bukod doon sa salita, maramdaman nila kami sino ba talaga ang nagsasabi ng totoo, nang tapat, at naaayon sa kanyang puso at may magandang plano sa mga Manilenyo,” (“If ever a debate is organized by groups, we are ready to fight and respond. Like what I said, a debate needs to happen so that people know who is really saying the truth, who is sincere and has good plans for the people of Manila,”). “Sana po magkaroon na po ng debate. Gusto ko lang po sabihin ako aatras diyan anytime anywhere haharapin ko po si Isko sa isang debate.” (“I will not back down from that, anytime, anywhere, I will face Isko in a debate.”)
Verzosa’s message to Moreno regarding the debate, “Kung magkakaroon po sana tayo ng pagkakataon, sana po huwag ho kayong umatras sa isang matalinong pagdedebate. Hindi ho ito personalan. Ito po’y para ho sa kinabukasan ng mga Manilenyo… ang request ko lang ho sa kanya, sana huwag siyang umurong at harapin natin yung mga Manilenyo.” (“I hope you don’t back out of an intelligent debate. This isn’t personal. This is for the future of the people of Manila…my only request is that he doesn’t back down and that we face the people of Manila.”)
Final message to Manileños
In closing, Verzosa emphasized his commitment to the people and his desire for change: “Sana po huwag nating sayangin ‘to. Para ho sa anak ninyo sa mga apo ninyo. Yung boto niyo saakin hindi para sa akin. Para po yan sa kinabukasan ng pamilya niyo at kinabukasan.” (“I hope we don’t waste this. This is for your children and your grandchildren. Your vote for me isn’t for me. It’s for the future of your family and the future,”) He added, “Lalaban tayo hanggang dulo at ipapanalo ko kayo.” (“We will fight until the end and I will win for you.”)
