It was meant to be a sweet, heartfelt gesture from a son to his mother. But in classic Vico Sotto fashion, the Pasig City Mayor added a humorous twist that turned a simple birthday greeting into a viral online moment—and a lighthearted roast from netizens.

A Simple Wish… With a Twist

On May 27, 2025, Mayor Vico Sotto took to Instagram to greet his mother, the beloved actress Coney Reyes, on her birthday. “Happy Birthday Mama love you!” he wrote alongside a touching vintage photo of Coney cradling baby Vico in her arms. The message was sincere. The intention was pure.

But then came the edit.

In the photo, Vico had inserted a toddler version of himself wearing a pair of digitally added sunglasses. The juxtaposition of sweet nostalgia and quirky humor was classic Vico—and fans immediately took notice.

“Graphic Design is My Passion”

The post didn’t take long to go viral. Within hours, thousands of likes and comments poured in—not just to wish Coney a happy birthday, but to poke fun at Vico’s editing skills. Comments ranged from “Mayor, ikaw ba talaga nag-edit niyan?” to “Graphic design is my passion,” referencing the popular meme about amateur photo edits.

One netizen quipped, “Saan ka natuto mag-Photoshop, Mayor? Pwede pa-enroll!” Another joked, “Mukhang ginawa sa sasakyan habang naka-stoplight!”—to which Vico hilariously replied, “Sa sasakyan po talaga.”

He wasn’t offended. In fact, he welcomed the jokes with his usual chill and candid demeanor, replying to comments with self-deprecating humor and turning the teasing into even more laughs.

Coney Reyes Joins the Fun

The star of the moment, Coney Reyes herself, couldn’t resist chiming in. Under the post, she commented: “Ahahaha ano ba yan! Love you, son! Thank you for your birthday prayer for me this morning!”

Her warm response added another layer of sweetness to the viral moment, reminding everyone that behind the jokes and edits is a deeply affectionate bond between mother and son. The fact that they can laugh together—and at each other—only made the gesture more endearing.

A Social Media Favorite

This isn’t the first time Vico Sotto’s social media has lit up the internet. Known for his authenticity and grounded presence, the mayor has often posted candid photos and videos, many of which are hilariously unpolished. In December 2024, a grainy video he took on his phone prompted netizens to joke that it looked like “CCTV footage.”

And just like this recent birthday post, Vico responded with good humor, winning even more admiration from the public.

He may be a public servant, but he never shies away from being human—relatable, funny, and sometimes hilariously imperfect.

Why It Mattered

In a time when political figures are often overly curated or stiff on social media, Vico Sotto’s birthday post stood out for its authenticity. It wasn’t polished to perfection. It wasn’t managed by a PR team. It was a son, greeting his mom, and having fun with it.

The moment reminded many of what really matters—genuine family bonds, laughter, and the courage to show up as yourself, even on public platforms.

Fans Celebrate the Bond

Many fans noted how refreshing it was to see a public official who doesn’t take himself too seriously. “Ang gaan sa pakiramdam panoorin silang magbiruan,” one commenter wrote. “You can tell Coney raised him well.”

Others expressed admiration for the mother-son relationship, praising the love and respect that clearly shines through in even the most comical posts.

A Lesson in Realness

If there’s anything to take away from this lighthearted episode, it’s that sincerity goes a long way. Vico Sotto didn’t need a grand gesture or perfect aesthetics to make people smile. His mix of humor, love, and humility was enough.

In the sea of curated content, he reminded us that imperfection can be beautiful—and that a silly pair of sunglasses on a baby photo can spark thousands of smiles.

What’s Next?

While fans continue to ride the wave of laughter from this post, many are already looking forward to what Vico will share next. Will he ever upgrade his photo editing tools? Probably not—and that’s exactly why people love him.

As for Coney Reyes, she continues to be celebrated not just for her legendary career, but for the remarkable son she raised. Their bond, filled with love, laughter, and a healthy dose of teasing, is now one more thing the internet can’t get enough of.

Because at the end of the day, it wasn’t just a birthday post. It was a window into a relationship full of warmth, honesty, and a whole lot of heart. And in today’s world, that’s something truly worth celebrating.