Charles Teves
Doubts about Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto’s leadership skills have recently been laid to rest after the US Department of State branded him as an “anti-corruption champion” and “a standard-bearer for a new generation of Philippine politicians who prioritize anti-corruption and transparency initiatives in their election campaigns and in office.”
But it seems his professor in Ateneo already saw a bright future ahead for Vico way before he ran for office.
Danton Remoto was Vico’s teacher during his time at the Ateneo de Manila University. In an article he wrote on One News, the former educator recounted how Vico in college showed he had all the right tools to become great one day.
He remembers joking with Vico that he should just take the show business route and follow his parents’ footsteps since “he spoke well, was good-looking, and bright.”
But Vico said he’d rather be awarded a master’s degree in government by the same university.
“I think I want to work in public service and government,” Remoto remembered Vico telling him in a response.
When it came to poetry classes, Vico showed no signs of struggle and easily produced satisfactory results.
“The point was twofold: for them to have a deeper impression of the poem since they wrote it and drew its images, and to teach them how to speak in public.
“He chose a haiku, drew well, and explained it without buckling. He always came to class well-prepared,” Remoto said.
During class, Vico was always laser-focused and “only moved to take notes.” Vico was like a sponge the way he absorbed information.
Vico also “never failed” when Remoto called on him to recite.
Remoto is just happy he was once in the presence of greatness. He hopes his former student will run for the presidency in the future mainly due to his ability to lead.
“My gray hair will be as proud if, one day, he runs for congressman, then senator, then president of this land. God knows we need well-trained leaders whose decisions are based on data and evidence, and whose heart is in the right place,” he wrote.
