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The best of both worlds

THEY SAY that showbiz and politics make strange bedfellows. Well, apparently not in the case of former mainstay of 'That's Entertainment' show, Isko Moreno.

Isko (no relation to German Moreno; Isko's real name is Francisco Moreno Domagoso) is the incumbent Vice-Mayor of the City of Manila. He is also one of the featured actors in the forthcoming ABS-CBN drama serial Cattleya, which will replace Prinsesa ng Banyera in the network's afternoon slot. Isko, now 33, was last seen on ABS-CBN two years ago, in the primetime drama Anghel Na Walang Langit. This is his first TV assignment since then.

According to Isko-who at one point also served as a Manila councilor-there is no provision in the law or the Local Government Code that prevents city officials like himself from exercising their profession while they are in office.

The only persons that the law prohibits from exercising their professions are lawyers. They are not allowed to appear before the courts in the City of Manila, probably to prevent them from unduly influencing the way the courts conduct their business. But because Isko's other profession is acting, that provision does not apply to him.

After winning in the elections, Isko chose to prioritise his political career. It was a new job, with a larger constituency, and he needed time to adjust. Ten months later, when he felt he had adjusted to being vice-mayor, he started to entertain acting offers again. It was his manager, director Maryo delos Reyes, who told him about the offer to star in Cattleya.

The first thing Isko did was ask to see the script. He was amazed by the story, with its many twists and turns. So he said yes to the offer.