He has everything the Filipino people looks for in a political leader: movie star good looks, a rags-to-riches story (he was a scavenger as a child before he was discovered by a talent manager at a wake) and relatability with the masses (he is colloquially referred to Yorme). It’s the version of a fairy tale trajectory in Philippine culture and a natural path for the once-poor Isko Moreno who now wants to serve the poor through his position.

His reformation of the city of Manila is so apparent as he drove businesses to a record high with tax reforms and technological investments. The city got a face lift and became, for lack of a better term, Instagrammable. Most importantly, he launched a successful mass housing campaign that provided low-cost homes for 2,000 of the poorest families.

Over the pandemic, he spearheaded CODE Covid-19, which stood for “contain and delay Covid-19”. His immediate response established an Infectious Disease Control Centre in his city and quarantine facilities at the onset of the crisis.

Will he be able to accomplish this on a national level? His recent moves show that he will be working closely with the private sector in large-scale infrastructure for mobility and economic recovery.