Businessman and public servant Sam Verzosa, representative of the Tutok To Win Party-List and host of the show ‘Dear SV,’ has auctioned off 10 of his luxury cars, valued at ₱200 million, to help build a dialysis center in Sampaloc, Manila.
The charity auction, titled ‘Driven To Heal: A Fundraising Drive to Construct Dialysis and Diagnostic Centers for Manila,’ took place on September 29, 2024, in Quezon City. Verzosa’s collection of supercars included high-end brands such as McLaren, Bentley, Maserati, Audi, Rolls Royce, Ferrari, Lamborghini, and BMW.
Verzosa, who has announced his candidacy for Manila mayor in the upcoming 2025 elections, explained that the proceeds from the auction would go toward building the dialysis center, the first of several planned facilities to help Manileños in need.
One of the most sentimental vehicles sold was a Bentley SUV, a car with personal significance for Verzosa. He recounted that it was purchased after a request from a loved one who later passed away. “Inisip ko talaga kung iki-keep ko ito for sentimental purposes or ibebenta ko. Pero naisip ko mas magiging proud siya kung ibebenta ko ito kasi mas marami siyang matutulungan,” Verzosa said.
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Another highlight of the auction was an Audi R8, famously driven by actor Robert Downey Jr. in the blockbuster movie Iron Man.
The funds raised will be used to construct a dialysis center in Sampaloc, with Verzosa pledging to build more centers in various districts of Manila, such as Intramuros, Quiapo, Tondo, Ermita, and Malate, if he wins the mayoral race.
“Dito ako lumaki sa Maynila kaya gusto ko lang ibalik ang mga blessing ko sa mga taga Maynila,” Verzosa stated. “Kung walang lalaban para sa kanila, walang mangyayari sa kanila.”
As Verzosa prepares for a potential three-way mayoral race, he emphasized that his main focus is on serving the people. “Nagsimula kami sa wala hangga’t sa nag negosyo ako at nagsumikap. Walang imposible sa mundo basta pure ang iyong intentions at maging tulay para maihatid ang ganitong serbisyo sa mga tao,” he said.
He also shared his commitment to public service, a cause he has been involved in long before his rise to prominence on television. “Hindi ko tinitignan ang mga makakalaban natin kundi ang mga tao at kung ano pa ang maibibigay ko sa kanila, mga serbisyo at kung paano nila makikilala ang puso ko at ano ang gusto kong mangyari. Gusto kong malaman nila yung ginagawa ko. Even before I hosted a television show, matagal na akong tumutulong sa ating kababayan. Kung magagawa ko ito sa ibang lugar, what more sa Maynila?,” Verzosa added.
The charity auction is part of Verzosa’s broader plan to improve healthcare services in Manila, with dialysis centers being a key priority.
