Under the bridge but into the heart of Manila: What I learned from Sam Verzosa’s campaign trail
Last night, I found myself under a bridge, literally. That’s where Verzosa held his final miting de avance. And while it wasn’t what one might call an ideal venue, it made sense. It was gritty, raw, humble, and unexpected. SV revealed that his team was not issued a permit for a bigger venue but they found a way. That’s when I thought to myself, maybe that is his secret sauce to success. He finding ways + consistency.
Because, yes, he’s a Battle of the Brains champion, a high school valedictorian, an Iskolar ng Bayan, and a licensed civil engineer. But more than intellect, what stood out in his campaign was resilience.
From Underdog to Contender
Just a week before the election, a new RPMD ‘Boses ng Bayan’ survey revealed that Verzosa had edged ahead of Isko Moreno—43% to 41%. A statistical tie, but it reflected a shift in sentiment, especially among young voters. The same man who once walked the streets with nothing but flyers and a dream now had crowds chanting his name.
“Sobra-sobra ‘yung mga naninira, grabe! Wala na nga akong partido, independent na nga ako pero todo pa rin ‘yung paninira nila. Sobrang threatened na kasi sila. Kakampi ko na ‘yung buong Manilenyo,” he declared to loud cheers during a recent caucus.
Time and again, he reminded people that his only party is the people.
“‘Ito ‘yung mga tunay na kakampi ko. Sila po ang aking partido,’” he said, gesturing to the crowd.
Grit, Not Just Glam
What I saw during the campaign trail was someone who wasn’t afraid to get on-ground— in the everyday work of campaigning. He showed up in neighborhoods that felt overlooked. He gave out health services through his Serbisyo Van, provided food carts for aspiring entrepreneurs, and listened.
“Ibibigay ang lahat, ilalaban kayo hanggang dulo. Ibibigay ang lahat nang walang kapalit. Kausap ko ‘yung isang kagawad ninyo, turo ng nanay niya: ang pinakamasarap na tulong ay ‘yung tulong na walang hinihinging kapalit. ‘Yun po ang ibibigay ko sa inyo, Maynila.”
Again and again, he emphasized what he wouldn’t do.
“Kung meron man akong pwedeng ipagmalaki at ipagyabang sa inyo na hindi kayang sabihin ng ibang kandidato ay hindi ko po pag-iinteresan ang pera ng Maynila. Ako ang magiging tulay ninyo para ang pera ng Manilenyo idi-diretso ko sa mga tao.”
It was clear: his platform focused on senior citizens, education, and livelihood. He brought solutions, not spectacles.
Issues and Answers
When controversies came his way, Verzosa confronted them directly—especially accusations of being paired with a rival candidate.
“Ang daming nagbabaklas ng mga poster natin, ‘yung mga poster natin kahit ngayon ilagay, bukas wala na. Grabe, wala na nga ako partido, independent na ako pero todo pa din ang paninira nila. Sobrang threatened sila kasi kakampi ko ang mga tunay na Manilenyo.”
He also addressed photos where he was seen beside another candidate:
“Ayoko na mag-comment dun, di ko nga alam kung bakit galit siya. Magkatabi lang ‘yung picture namin, hindi naman ako ang nagpagawa, ewan ko kung sino. Hindi ko siya kilala personally. Kung ‘yun ang alam niyang tamang pamumuno, ‘yung pamumuno ng nakaraan, pagbenta at pag-utang, sila sila na lang ‘yun. Ang importante sa akin ‘yung adbokasiya ko. Prayoridad ko ‘yung mga senior citizens, pag-aaral ng mga bata at kabuhayan ng mga walang trabaho.”
And yes, he’s ready to work with whoever gets elected vice mayor.
“Kahit sino po. Ang importante rito ang mananalo na Mayor ay SV Verzosa kasi kapag nanalo ako, ako na ang susuyo sa kanila, ako na ang lalapit, ako na magaabot ng aking kamay para magkaroon na ng pagkakaisa. Sa eleksyon lang naman ‘yung galit galit eh, pagkatapos ng eleksyon kailangan natin magkaisa kasi maraming umaasa.”
Raising Accountability
SV didn’t shy away from calling out what he saw as questionable decisions made by past administrations.
“Sa dinami-dami ng binenta, nag-focus sa UDM. Eh ang daming binenta, bakit di maipaliwanag bakit binenta ang Divisoria? Bakit mo binenta ang Quiricada Fire Station? At kung anu-ano pa? Bakit hindi na lang ‘yun ang ipaliwanag? Bakit nilalayo ang issue? ‘Wag natin ilayo ang issue. Ang point, bakit ka nag-benta? At saan napunta ‘yung pinagbentahan mo?”
His follow-up was even stronger:
“Bakit natin hinahayaan na ibenta ang mga properties ng Maynila? Ang nawawalan, ang mga Manilenyo. Wala kayong karapatang magbenta ng hindi sa inyo. Property ‘yan ng Manilenyo. Bakit sila nagbebenta ng hindi sa kanila?”
Roots and Identity
Verzosa was also questioned about his residency. Again, his answer was grounded:
“Hindi ko maintindihan kasi buong buhay ko, nasa internet na. Na-feature na ‘yung bahay namin sa Sampaloc, hanggang ngayon nandun pa din. Baka ang tinutukoy nila ‘yung nakabili na ako ng properties sa iba’t ibang lugar. Simple lang, kung umasenso ka at nakabili ka ng properties, sa Quezon City, sa Makati, may property din ako sa ibang bansa, ibig sabihin ba nun hindi na ako taga-Maynila?”
The Final Night
And so, under a bridge on the humid Friday evening of May 9, I watched this independent candidate—once brushed off, now cheered—close his campaign with heart and grit. The people were there. And they stayed.
Because what I learned from watching Sam Verzosa all these months is this: people recognize sincerity. They may take a while, but they see it. He didn’t just run a campaign. He built trust. Slowly, quietly, but steadily.
And maybe that’s why, whether or not he wins, SV already proved that winners are not always born, some of them are made. And in public service, it is not enough to just have a heart. You have to be willing to put in the hours.
WATCH:
