Isko Moreno marks 51st birthday with Manila’s elderly: ‘Let there be peace, let us bring back compassion’

Instead of grand festivities or public fanfare, Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso chose to spend his 51st birthday on Friday morning, October 24, with 520 senior citizens under the care of Luwalhati ng Maynila at the Manila Boys Town Complex in Parang, Marikina — the city’s long-running welfare institution for abandoned, neglected, and rescued elderly residents.

The Mayor’s visit, filled with laughter and heartfelt exchanges, reflected his continuing promise to celebrate each birthday with the city’s most vulnerable.

“Good morning po. Aga-aga, naka-kolorete kayo!” Domagoso greeted the crowd in jest as he joined the elderly residents for breakfast, dancing, and fellowship. “Oh, palakpakan naman natin ang ating mga lolo’t lola dancer!” he said, drawing laughter from the audience, many of whom wore bright colors and lipstick for the occasion.

The Mayor, visibly delighted, mingled freely with the residents, teasing them affectionately while checking on their health and well-being.

Among those who shared the celebration with him was Lola Chedeng, a senior citizen he personally rescued weeks earlier after a concerned netizen sent a viral video showing her sleeping by a wall in Sampaloc.

“Napanood ko ’yung video mo, kaya pinasundo agad kita,” the mayor recalled. “Laging may awa ang Diyos. Masaya ako dahil nagamot ka na.”

Now recovering under the care of the City Government, Lola Chedeng smiled as Domagoso introduced her to the crowd: “Malakas na!”

Domagoso has made it a tradition to visit shelters on his birthday, dedicating his personal celebration to the elderly, orphans, and children under institutional care.

Drawing from his own experience of loss, Domagoso revealed that his mother died just hours after his birthday years ago, a memory that shaped his empathy for the elderly.

“Tuwing birthday ko talaga, ‘yung personal celebration ko is always with you and our kids — sa ating mga bahay na inaalagaan natin,” he told the residents. “Espesyal lagi ang senior citizen.”

“Hindi ka pa dadalawin ng mga mahal mo sa buhay, tapos para kang hindi nagkaroon ng pamilya — masakit. Eh tutal, nandito naman na tayo, eh di tayo-tayo na lang ang pamilya,” he said, urging the seniors to see the city’s care facilities as extensions of home and family. “Sa pamilya umiiral ang pagmamahalan, pag-unawa, at malasakitan.”

This year’s celebration included a shared meal sponsored by city employees and donors, complete with Jollibee meals, cakes, and small gift packs.

“Oh ngayon, meron pa kayong Jollibee at lahat kayo may cake! Mga diabetic kayo dito — paminsan-minsan lang ’yan,” he quipped, keeping the atmosphere light as he thanked city social workers for their continued service.

Domagoso also checked the condition of the facility, asking residents if they were being properly cared for.

“Maaliwalas ba ang ating pasilidad? Inaalagaan ba kayo?” he asked, to which the seniors cheerfully replied, “Opo!”

But amid the humor and banter, the Mayor also took the opportunity to share a deeply personal reflection on peace and compassion — values he said the nation sorely needs.

“Ang wish ko talaga: Let there be peace on Earth,” Domagoso said. “Peace in the world, because of what is happening, and peace among us Filipinos. Parang there is too much hate among each other. Sana umiral na uli ang malasakit at pag-unawa sa kapwa.”

He warned against political divisiveness, saying that ordinary citizens often bear the cost of conflicts between “the big boys.”

As the celebration ended, Domagoso once again thanked the staff of the Manila Department of Social Welfare (MDSW) and the Luwalhati ng Maynila for their compassion and dedication.

“Walang perpektong tao, walang perpektong gobyerno. Pero basta may malasakit, may pag-asa,” he said.