Sam Verzosa recalls mom bankrolled his first business

Sam Verzosa with his mama Niña

Mother's Day 2025 falls on May 11, a day before Philippine elections, but even if it's still a couple of weeks away, Manila mayoralty bet Sam Verzosa has already paid tribute to his mom at "Pandesal Forum" of Kamuning Bakery Cafe.

The "Dear SV" host said Niña Clara Salonga Verzosa was housewife who sacrificed a lot in order to send her kids to school.

"Sa paghatid-sundo sa school, sa pagkain namin, pagpapaligo," he enumerated from top of his head. "Tinuro din niya sa amin kung paano magbigay."

As people already know, Sam is nearly, shall we say, "legendary" when it comes to giving ayuda consisting of high-end items. The effort becomes even more notable as these come from his own pocket.

"Laging may Pamasko si mommy at laging handang magpautang---kahit last money na, ibibigay pa niya. Kapag may pumupuntang kamag-anak namin sa Maynila, sa amin niya sila pinapatuloy," Sam continued to recall of his mom.

Did you know that if it weren't for Niña, Sam would not have become a super successful businessman? That's because it was she who gave him the seed money for his first business.

"Ipinangutang niya sa five-six," the public servant said. "Walang tanong-tanong kung saan ko gagamitin o san mapunta yung pera. She just believed in me."

To this day, Niña still supports Sam all the way. She cooks the food he gives to people during his sorties and medical missions that sometimes number a hundred thousand attendees!

"Kaya nga I tell people, wag kayo sa kin magpasalamat kundi sa nanay ko," he said. "Dahil kundi niya ako inaruga at pinalaki ng ganito, wala ako dito ngayon."

Her mom made sure Sam understands and appreciates the importance and value of education. No wonder that when asked what his primary plans for the youth of Manila are should he win, Sam said it's to give them opportunity and support to finish school.

"Popondohan natin ng bilyon ang edukasyon," he said. "Hindi lang para sa scholarships kundi para sa libreng school supplies, uniform at may allowance."

Sam added: "Magpapagawa din tayo ng mga review centers for them. And we will partner with top universities in the city to provide slots for our students."

Sam was valedictorian in high school. He reached the grand finals of "Battle of the Brains" in the late '90s representing Angelicum College.

Sam has a degree in civil engineering from the University of the Philippines Diliman.

As entrepreneur, Sam has demonstrated several times that he knows how to run and turn local and international businesses into multi-billion empire.