Get To Know Francisco Domagoso, The Kid Who Grew Up To Be 'Yorme,' In This Children's Book

The rags to riches story of Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, or "Yorme," as he is fondly called by his constituents, is well-known by now, but it doesn't make his experience any less inspiring.

Before his current stint in local government, moms probably knew him as an actor. But before he was all of that, he was a basurero and a pedicab driver, growing up in the rough and tumble streets of the city that he loves.

A new children’s book, simply titled Yorme, tells the life story of Isko Moreno over colorful hand-drawn art and delightful narration. Each page brims with relatable anecdotes from the life of a man who was born Francisco Domagoso.

What were young Isko’s dreams growing up while his dad worked as a stevedore in North Harbor? Why did Isko’s classmates at school tease him and call him “mayor”? And what were the perfect ingredients of “batsoy," the Moreno family’s own version of the street dish known as pagpag?

As Isko Moreno grows up and faces the toughest challenges of his life, the story becomes even more inspiring — proof that anyone, no matter where they came from, can dream big and reach for the moon.

Yorme is the seventh book in the Dream Big imprint, a collection of books for young readers that retells the lives of famous Filipino personalities in tales that are suitable for all ages. It was written by noted children’s book author Yvette Fernandez, and brought to life by illustrator Ray Sunga.

Other Dream Big Books tackled the lives of John Gokongwei Jr., founder of JG Summit; Socorro Ramos, founder of National Book Store; the family of Ninoy, Cory, and Noynoy Aquino; former Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo; national treasure Lea Salonga; and international musician and pop star Apl.de.Ap.

The book was conceptualized soon after Isko Moreno was elected mayor, but had to be put on hold because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Yorme will be available soon at major bookstores, as well as on Lazada and Shopee, for P275.

Mayor Isko schools fellow dads on grocery shopping! Click here for his hilarious and helpful tips.