Mayor Isko recalls ‘Tatay Recto,’ first boss who gave him chance as teen sidecar driver

Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso returned to Tondo to pay his respects to Tatay Recto Talapian, the man he fondly remembers as his first employer and the one who gave him a chance to earn a living as a sidecar driver when he was just 14 years old. Domagoso visited the wake of Talapian along Kagitingan Street, where he expressed gratitude to the man who helped him and his family during a time of deep financial struggle. The mayor recalled that Talapian owned the sidecar he drove as a teenager, allowing him to support his household when opportunities were scarce. According to Domagoso, Tatay Recto was more than an employer, describing him as family and a guiding presence during his formative years. He said the trust he received from the trust at a young age played a crucial role in shaping his values of hard work and perseverance. The mayor also reflected on how his journey, from being known as “Scott,” a sidecar boy in Tondo, to becoming the city’s chief executive, serves as a reminder of the importance of remembering those who helped at the beginning of one’s story. Domagoso said honoring Tatay Recto was his way of showing gratitude and...