Boss Toyo during the press conference for ZKTeco. Josh Mercado

MANILA -- Is Boss Toyo, who became famous for buying celebrity memorabilia via his “Pinoy Pawnstars” vlog series, planning to enter politics?

A source close told ABS-CBN News that the content creator was asked to run for public office in Manila.

“Tama ka na may offer sa District 1 sa Manila bilang councilor. Isa ‘yun sa mga offer," Boss Toyo told ABS-CBN News during the press conference for ZKTeco. "I’m still thinking. Newbie tayo diyan kaya titingnan muna natin kung ano ba ‘yung kaya nating gawin. Mahirap magpaasa ng mga tao kung hindi natin mapu-fulfill ‘yung mga ibibigay natin sa kanila.”

The entrepreneur and social media star added: “There are plans. Actually sobrang daming plano. Iba’t ibang positions ang offer. I am still weighing kung ano ba talaga ‘yung gusto ng puso ko. Nasa puso ko talaga ang public service.”

“Kahit noong hindi pa ako sikat, sa Tondo lang talaga ako nagcha-charity sa Smokey Mountain at sa Happyland,” he said.

“Ayaw ko lang makita ‘yung iba na walang tumutulong sa kanila katulad nung naranasan ko before. Ang hirap kasi nun. Kung able na, kung may sobra naman, why not na tumulong,” he shared with ABS-CBN News.

With 8.7 million followers on Facebook and almost 900k subscribers on YouTube, Boss Toyo emphasized that his newfound fame did not change his true character. 

“Oo, kilala tayo, pero hindi naman nakaapekto ‘yun sa totoo kong pagkatao or kung ano ‘yung ugali ko. Kung ano ang nakikita niyo sa social media, ganun din ako in real life. I’m still the same man. Wala namang nagbago sa ugali. Medyo gumaan lang ang buhay at nakatulong sa personal needs ko at needs ng family. Kumbaga mas naging abot-kamay lang lahat ngayon,” he said.

He also talked about the support he gets from his wife. “Kasama ko talaga siya. Hindi siya puwedeng [mawala] sa istorya ko. Sa kung nasaan man ako ngayon ay nandun siya, siya ang nagbibigay ng lakas ng loob ko,” he said.

During the one-on-one interview with Boss Toyo, he also told ABS-CBN News that he came from bankruptcy in September last year.

“As in zero. I have so many liabilities. Kung paano nakabangon? Sugal lang. Lakas lang ng loob. Nilaksan ko talaga ang loob at nagkaroon naman ng magandang results. Hindi ako sumuko,” he said. 

“‘Yung pagsuko, hindi ko iniisip. Lagi ko lang iniisip ‘yung mga way na gagawin para makabangon.”

Celebrity memorabilia, blessings

In his vlog series “Pinoy Pawnstars,” Boss Toyo buys celebrity memorabilia. Some of his purchases that made headlines were Niño Muhlach's FAMAS trophy and Francis Magalona's jersey. 

“Marami pa ang naka-lineup. May mga na-shoot na kami. Tina-timing ko lang. Abangan niyo ang mas mabibigat na episode,” he said.

The popular social media personality had just signed a contract with ZKTeco, a brand centered on delivering biometric verification technology.

Despite his online success, Boss Toyo said what matters most is his authenticity.  “Ang pagiging totoong tao. ‘Yan ang pinagmamalaki ko. Kung ano ‘yung nakikita niyo, ‘yun lang talaga ako,” he said.

His advice to aspiring content creators and entrepreneurs? “Be true to yourself. Iwasan mong mag-pretend. Kung sino ka man, ‘yun ang ilabas mo sa publiko. Hindi ‘yung magpapanggap ka na ito ka. Hindi porket may nakita ka sa ibang bagay eh gagayahin mo agad. Maging totoo ka sa sarili mo. Kung saan ka masaya at kung mahal mo ang ginagawa mo, ang kasunod na niyan ay ang success,” he ended.