THE recent State of the City Address (SOCA) delivered by Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna was an emotion-laden, revelation of sorts.
First, the 1,000-capacity PICC Forum Tent was filled to the brim way before the affair began.
When Mayor Honey was finally introduced, it took about half an hour for her to negotiate the aisle’s red carpet from the entrance to her seat. This was because everybody wanted to have a picture taken with her, hug her, shake her hand, or congratulate her. And Mayor Honey was just too happy to oblige.
Amid the throngs of attendees wanting to do all these, there were also chants of “Mayora, Mayora…” that met the lady mayor, as she took time greeting everyone present. The guests, by the way, comprised of barangay heads, city officials, Manila city councilors, Manila congressmen, business and civic leaders and other stakeholders.
After being aptly introduced by Vice Mayor Yul Servo, the first lady mayor of Manila began her address which took one hour and 15 minutes as she laid out her numerous accomplishments since she assumed office on June 30, 2022.
Note that what she reported are only the top or most important achievements of her rein and did not include many others.
She also discussed her plans for a ‘Magnificent Manila in 2030.’
Jaws dropped when she mentioned that the huge debt inherited by her administration amounting to over P17 billion is already being substantially paid for by the city under her stewardship, as she thanked her fellow officials and employees for helping her achieve the said success, so far.
Many were so shocked, because while it is a known fact that the city of Manila had been operating on a shoestring budget since Mayor Honey took over owing to the debts left behind by her predecessor, to learn that the amount reached more than P17 billion was just appalling.
Of that amount, Mayor Honey said that her administration was already able to pay P2 billion of its total obligations within one year.
The venue went silent as Mayor Honey shared that she was wearing her dad.
Her gown, according to her, was made out of pieces of cloth taken from the barong tagalogs that her dear father, the late Manila Vice Mayor Danny Lacuna, wore during the time that he was still active in politics.
It was a moving moment and I saw some of those present wiping their tears, more as she stressed the importance of the relationships built over the years under the tutelage of her late dad, under the local party “Asenso Manileno” which is now the ruling party in Manila.
The lady mayor underscored the value of family that the “Asenso Manileno” members have become all these years and said that together as one, they will continue what they have begun and face the challenges as”magkakasama… bilang isang pamilya.” After all, no one turns his back on family.
She also appealed for everyone to keep believing in her, as she vowed to never stop caring for Manilans, whom she said will forever be first in her heart, thus: Maynila, Ikaw LAMANG ang UNA, Kay Honey Lacuna!”
At this point, Mayor Honey bared a new “HL” hand sign, marking a new era in her political career. This was one of the many occasions during her address that the audience rose from their seats to give her a long and very energetic standing ovation.
Stating how honored she is for serving as the city’s first lady chief, Mayor Honey also stressed that in no instance will she ever, ever leave Manilans.
Mayor Honey ended her speech with a vow, using these powerful words: Mga kapwa ko Manileño, isa pong karangalan ang patuloy kayong pagsilbihan. Ngayon man o bukas, umaraw man o umulan, hinding-hindi ko kayo iiwan.”
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