HI Isko!
It’s been a while. We were together in the senatorial slate of Sen. Grace Poe and Sen. Chiz Escudero, back in 2016. I loved listening to your life story then, and to see it unfold in the brightest direction now is truly amazing. Your journey from the slums of Tondo to the edifice of city hall is proof that nothing is impossible.
I see some facets of my father in you. He was a poor boy from Hagonoy who had to work as a stevedore at North Harbor. Unable to pay for college, Ka Blas found intellectual redemption in books and public libraries. You are a student of life, having finished high school, seeking higher learning when your life got better and upon the advice of your mentor, the kind-hearted Mayor Danny Lacuna.
Now you are the mayor and father of the nation’s most historic city. As you do your best to improve Manila while preserving its character, know that the world is your audience. For most foreigners, the Philippines is Manila. I am glad that you are giving our capital city a good scrub, and ecstatic that the Manila Zoo revival is high on your list of priorities.
But keep your feet on the ground and your ears always open. Do not succumb to the secluded bliss of having a cordon sanitaire. They will try their best to protect you but also because this gives some of them the power to strut. And, strut they will.
You know Manila like no one else will. You have infinite stories to tell about your childhood and growing up years. Being an actor may have given you the skills and aptitude to communicate, but those stories are all yours. Use them. Keep reminding young people not to fear big dreams, because the bigger dreams are the best ones to catch.
Tap the best minds regardless of political persuasion. Don’t hesitate to ask the best of the best a multitude of questions. Remember the learning atmosphere at the Kennedy School of Government? Be fierce in putting together an education program of that caliber not just for the young people but also even for our senior citizens. As my father used to say, education is for life.
Have a job count. Everyday. How many of your constituents were able to secure a job interview in Manila-based companies? How many more can be hired if only they are prepped well enough to pass that golden interview? New jobs created mean more revenues for the household and the city. It is the proverbial tide that will lift all boats. Come up with an online Trabaho Central. Know who your workers are per barangay. With technology, everything is possible.
Also, please know this. Illegal recruitment thrives inside your territory. There are a lot of licensed recruitment agencies that are foreign-owned, with several foreigners occupying tables and interviewing recruits, a practice that is very much against existing POEA rules. Declare a war on illegal recruitment, and all recruitment agencies operating within your city must also be required to obtain city permits for the accommodations where domestic workers applying for jobs overseas are kept. Humane conditions must prevail, even if these houses or tenements are rented by recruitment agencies.
Welcome our tourists back to Manila. Some of them may still remember the Luneta hostage-taking incident. Develop new experiences for them to savor—have the best city tours in Asia. Make every historical and tourist site, “Instagrammable.” Free use of selfie sticks for tourists that they can just pick up and return before they leave, personalized welcome cards from the mayor for every tourist that checked in at a Manila-based hotel, and midnight walks along Fort Santiago with troubadours that can serenade couples with our best kundimans—your city can rival the best of the best when it comes to memorable experiences.
I do worry about you. I worry that all the high-octane publicity would wear you out, or even wear us out. We know that in politics, the higher you rise, the greater and more dramatic the fall. Avoid the fall. Do not be sucked in by all these talks about the presidency. You were one of the hardest-working senatorial candidates in 2016. I really thought you would make it. Now it is clear why it was not meant to be. God had His reasons. Trust Him.
Local government now has a national face and it’s yours. So shine!
I am sure that you have no shortage of people offering you advice. I am sorry to be adding myself to this list. Because of you, we have become emotionally invested in the transformation of Manila. So stay away from the pettiness of previous political skirmishes. Dream biggest now. You have an entire city to care for. From the time you were born, the poetry of a remarkable life runs in your veins, so make it rhyme and offer each verse to the Lord. Never forget that Isko is His creation. Make Him and all of us proud.
Congratulations and Good luck!
Toots
Susan V. Ople heads the Blas F. Ople Policy Center and Training Institute, a nonprofit organization that deals with labor and migration issues. She also represents the OFW sector in the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking.
Image credits: BatangMaynila.Media
40 comments
Well written. I’ll just make my observations and comment later on. I’ve studied and worked in Manila for so many years and I’ve seen the best and the worst and there are times were on the same boat, he representing the mayor and me, representing our ED, but only can talk or read what was told by the mayor and me doing the same. Now is your time. Be good, good luck and take care.
I cried after reading your letter to Mayor Isko… thank you… i am a fan of your Dad…
Well said, Ms. Ople. As someone who grew up in Tondo, I would have said the same things to Mayor Isko. Thank you very much. And to Mayor Isko, keep the good work. I am praying for you.
Francis of Assisi
Francis of Rome
Francis of Manila
Reformers of their cities.
Touched the world.
Prayers for the Yorme!
You nailed it Mam Susan… i am teary eyed as i read ur letter… to mayor Isko keep it up! The whole nation is waiting for NEW Manila…fear not in doing what is right and just! Congratz po!
To Madam Susan Ople and to your column More Power po…
To Former Mighty Senator Blas Ople
Prayers to our once Mighty Senator Blas Ople🙏🙏🙏
To Our Selflessness, Devoted, HardWorking, Hands-On, God-Fearing, Righteous Mayor Of The City Of Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso Aim High, Never Stop Dreamin, Never Stop Achieving Great Things For The People…
We Manileños, will Back you up for all of your endeavors, We Manileños will always constantly Pray To Our Almighty For Your Safety…
We Manileños are with you thru all your battles No Matter What…
Sincerely….
Manileños Of Tondo 🙏🙏🙏
Nakakaiyak , true lahat ang sinabi mo Madame Ople. Sana maging adviser at consultant ka ni Isko. Hindi kayang mag isa ni Isko yan . He needs an adviser like you. Sana makarating kay isko itong letter mo. The Manila will be shine again and most of all the Philippines our beloved country. To God be the glory. The highest praise is for Him.
Salamat Madame Ople.
Mam Toots, very touching…it really came from the heart. I read your letter aloud to my officemates here at DOLE Intramuros!
Teary eyes…remembering the legacy of your good,honest…industrous father..Sec blas ople..MAYOR IAKO MORENO NEEDS YOUR GUIDANCE
i agree…what we can do is to include all our government officials in our prayers…God is in control..God is working.
That was a priceless urban planning consulting service, if I may add, make Quiapo and Divisoria as Tourist destinations!!!
1) Let us all pray for his and his family’s safety.
2) Enough of the “let’s see what else he can do, or let’s see how long this will last”, but let’s join him in doing what he’s doing. Let’s make it work, make it last. A politician is only as effective as the trust and cooperation given to him by his constituents.
I am not a Manileña , i reside here in Bicol, Naga City but i followed the told story of Manila and i’ve seen the negative change of it for i often visit the place for many reasons. I even ask where is Manila now for it sanked under nearby municipalities. It seems so lost in chaos but now because of Mayor Isko it is beginning to shine again into a beautiful city. Thank you Mayor Isko Moreno for being tough and firm in implementing your plocy. We hope you bring it on ’til you reach your godly goal and successful governance. God bless you in your sincere tasks.
Thank you Ms Ople for these words to the new darling in politics! May Mayor Isko continue to be a light in political evils and darkness!
A must read ….and share.
I cried upon reading this. I wasn’t born in Manila but attended schools from elementary until college in Manila so I still consider myself a Manileno, somehow. I was touched by this, Ms.Ople. This is something truly worth sharing! Let us pray for Mayor Isko, let us pray for the Manilenos 🙂
Beautifully said comments and opinion about mayor isko. Your honesty and matter of fact information in manila’s history are very much appreciated and something that is of great consideration for mayor isko to work on, not to say the mayor has no knowledge of … Just a reminder. Thank you Ms. Ople. If I may ask, if the issue of stray dogs and feral cats should happen to be in mayor isko’s “to do list” in Manila, in the near future … please would you consider giving me a chance to submit a proposal in cleaning up the city of manila in a humane possible way. I advocate for animals, especially for cats and dogs. Thank you.
Applying for a job at the city hall
I wrote a letter for Mayor Isko for my wishlist… and some are already mentioned in your letter on how we will revive our very own Manila.
Lets all pray for his success in putting our City back to a place that will be included in the bucket of our visitors without having a second thought. Thank you Ms. Ople
Harinawa, totoong-totoo na ang malinis at maayos na pamamahalang ito ni Meyor Isko sa Lungsod Maynila na tutularan ng iba pang tapat ang hangarin sa paglilingkod sa bayan, higit lalo sa maraming hikahos na at pinagkakaitan pa ng mga batayang pangangailangan sa buhay ng mga nakaririwasa at makapangyarihan. Isa ako sa karaniwang Bikolano-Manilenyong tumanda na sa paghihintay ng tunay na pagbabago at kaunlaran ng mga pamayanan natin (di lamang ng Kamaynilaan) at sa pag-asang kahit marahan ay tiyak at tapat na tinutupad ito ng mga namumuno at iba pang lingkod-bayan. Harinawa, totoong “Una ang Diyos” sa Maynila, totoong isabuhay ito ni Meyor Isko araw-araw hanggang sa malinis at maayos na nga ang napakarumi at magulong lungsod. Harinawa, totoong “Una ang Diyos” sa Maynila, totoong isabuhay ito ni Meyor Isko araw-araw hanggang sa malinis at maayos na nga ang napakarumi at magulong lungsod. sa tulong ng bawat mapagmalasakit na kababayan, di lamang Manilenyo.
Thank you po sa lahat ng nagbasa at nagshare ng aking column. Let’s continue to support good leaders like Mayor Isko. As the cliche goes, a little appreciation goes a long way. 🙂
Brilliant!
Ms. Susan Ople,
napakasarap basahin, nakakaiyak, nakaka touch!
Thank you for the write-up po.
Magtulungan tayong lahat para sa pagbabago!
As I read your columm, I was really amazed. You just prove that you are really an Ople wherein your writeups comes from your heart! To mayor Isko this is a very good advice and i suggest that Ms. Ople should be one of your adviser. She is not just a good writer but a good publiv servant ad she inherited from his father our beloved Blas F. Ople. Mabuhay k po Ms. Susan V. Ople. congratulations you said it very very clear.
What an inspiring article and letter for yorme Isko. He needs more of this … this wil defintely make him a better person. He needs validation that he is in the right track… that he is doing good! Mabuhay ka Ms Susan!
Praying hard for the safety and good health of our beloved Manila Mayor!
The whole world is watching Manila…because of abrupt changes in the last few days. Mayor Isko’s decisive move to clean the city and putting up law and order. Sana lahat ng Manilans magbahagi ng kahit maliit na pagmamalasakit para mapabuti ang pamumuhay at mapanumbalik ang dating ningning ng Lungsod ng Maynila. Tulong tulong po tayong bumuo ng maunlad, tahimik at marangal na Bagong Maynila kaagapay ang ating Mayor Isko. Mabuhay ang Maynila.
Well said ma’am susan..😄.. and to Mayor Isko, keep up the good work.. May all the public servants copy what are doing now in their respective places.. mabuhay po kayo Mayor Isko… May God bless you.. 🙂
You nailed it Ms Susan ..i am teary eyes reading your write ups..i have been in the Manila,City Hall since Mayor Bagatsing until Mayor Lim and this is mymfirst time to witness a very hardworking and dedicated Mayor ever..kudos..
What a touching message, from an Ople to Mayor Isko. With due respect, I hope Mayor Isko will give them some thoughts. Mabuhay po kayo, Ms. Toots, at Mayor Isko!
So touched by the inspiring message of Madam Ople that it made me teary-eyed! 😥 sobrang nakaka proud to be a Manila resident 🤗😊 keep up the good work Mayor Isko and may God bless and protect you from all harm and danger!
Dear Idol Mayor Isko,
Di na ako nagbabasa ng ibang balita wala din namna kawenta kwenta yong mga balita sa yo lnang ang magandang balita laging may action full of inspiration Hanga ako sa iyo mayor Isko ( Buti kapangalan mo ang namatay ko ng tatay Francisco din ) ang galing mong mag paliwanag nakukuha mo ang mga tao sa usapang sanlaan ng laway saka pa etneb etneb takwarents walang sigawan walang sakitan lahat nasunod . Ngayon ko lng na realized pag nagsalita pala ng malumanay at di nagmumura madaling magkaintindihan ang namumuno at ang mga nasasakupan . Ang MMDA pag nagusap sa mga tao laging sigawan laging murahan yon tuloy walang nasunod parang mga ugok ang MMDA pag kakaalis nagsisibalikan ang mga vendor hahaha yan ang tinatawag na walang pag galang ang mga tao sa MMDA not like you mayor pag ikaw ang nagsabi lahat nasunod. Basta Mayor Isko yong 5M wag mong tatanggapin patay tayo nyan . Saka alam mo ba mayor ang mga foreigner dto sa US ang alam sa pilipinas MANILA lng lagi di alam yang taguig quezon city MANILA LNG TALAGA kaya mayor wag mo kaming bibiguin GOD WILL ALWAYS GUIDE YOU SAKA BAKA IKAW ANG PINABABA NG ANGEL MULA SA LANGIT PARA IKAW ANG GUMAWA NG KABUTIHAN DTO SA LUPA PERO ALAM KO NOBODY COULD HARM YOU COZ YOU ARE GUIDED BY ANGELS
Ano ibig nyang sabihin on the political skirmishes part? Let Erap get away with all his kapalpakan?
Hi Maam Susan Ople I had been following all the articles for the Mayor of Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and had just read your Editorial Letter about Mayor Isko. VERY WELL SAID PO. Napakababang luha ko I cannot control myself from crying because all that was written are true. my family lives in Quezon City but I had stayed with our distant relative in Manila. Vendor po kami ng Fruits sa Sta. Cruz at sila po ay may puwesto sa harap ng simbahan. Mga 1960’s po iyong and I should say that it was the best time in my life.
Due to poberty I had worked and served other
People to earn a living with those wonderful people. I have those places so important to me..Quiapo, Escolta and Blumentritt I grew up wandering in those places selling fruits. I remember waiting some Christmasses time to wait and buy shoes for 50.00 pesos per fair in Shoe Mart Carriedo. And growing up going to that place in Escolta to buy bags in Syvels. Nagulat po ako I cannot pass the street of Carriedo, it is full of street vendor ang
Dumi at nakakatakot dimaan. Ang Escolta ang pangit na ito ang sinasabing Makati nuong araw. Ngayon amoy estero. Naiyak po ako.
And when I saw it in CNN how clean it was my heart really jump with joy. Natuwa po ako.
And, all that was written in your editorial was very true. God Bless Mayor Isko…. with all his promised of returning its Glory in Manila would be
a very big achievement for the Mayor. With clean and sincere heart I know it will happen. I really cried like a river.
Reading what you had said Madam Susan. I wish you also more power and Mayor Isko
I will be waiting to see the Better and good Manila through your
Governance and the help
Of all the people under your Leadership. More power.
And, in one of my not so busy days I visited those
What i’m afraid of is his life…after all life is more important . there will always have an ax above his neck, and his life is in danger, some dirty politicians are all the same with gangsters, syndicates who run out of business, businessmen affected by the changes he imposes, students with unreasonable expectations and leftist with impossible demands who would love to see his head rolling. I just hope he can still swim the tide. He is one of Manila’s best…..
Very well said and a true inspiring article Ms. Ople. I also grew up in Manila (Tondo) and now residing in Las Pinas. I’m glad of how little by little, Mayor Isko is transforming Manila again to its old glory wherein for most foreigners, the Phils is Manila. Goodluck to Mayor Isko and I am praying for your good health and safety.
Admirable!
Ms susan is almost a true reflection of sen blas,who was once our guest of honor during my oathtaking as a teacher👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
🙏🙏 for his well being & safety. Congratulations, Mayor Isko. You are the epitome of the best public official. We are in awe & in full admiration of the political will you have demonstrated in changing for the better, the image of the City of Manila. Keep it up, Mayor Isko. Kudos!!!!
Ang ganda ng mensahe sa taong may pananaw sa bayan… My prayer is sana maging kapamilya ka sa Department of Labor katulad ng yong Ama.
I had a teary eyed reading your message Madam. Inspiring and very touching. We all have one common opinion para sa mahal nating Mayor. Salamat sa messenger para sa kanya.
i am very please of your openness Mam Susan.and we Manilans are also amazed and honored of what the city has become.Sabi nga ni yorme di nya kaya mag isa yan or even do it overnight.So we need to cooperate and follow what his legacy for the city.Discipline and integrity is the key to Success and we will support you for your advocacy.This is what the City of Manila needs.Manila has reborn again.