While grateful to her predecessor for being a good mentor, incumbent Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna said Tuesday, she is determined to get out of the shadow of former Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso to avoid being branded as a mirror of the previous administration.

"What is important for me is to be able to get out of Isko's shadow while continuing his programs and projects that he started," Lacuna said during her first media forum appearance organized by the Manila City Hall Reporters' Association.

Speaking at the MACHRA's "Balitaan sa Harbor View" forum, she said her being a woman is proving to be more of an advantage than a disadvantage, adding that her only biggest challenge so far is getting out of being branded as a 'shadow' or puppet of her predecessor, now citizen Damagoso, whom she said was a very good mentor to her when they were working together.

"It cannot be denied that Mayor Isko not only introduced me to the programs and policies but has been part of his administration that is why the transition was not difficult for me," Lacuna explained.

She added that her first 100 days in office, including the transition from the past to the present administration, was smooth since she had been a very active part of Damagoso's team as vice mayor and Presiding Officer of the Manila City Council.

Lacuna said in the coming months, the citizens of Manila will already feel all the more the difference between the past and present administration.

Being a woman, she said, is proving to be more of an advantage rather than a disadvantage for her since women are known to be more meticulous and nurturing.

This observation, she said, is based on the reactions of the residents each time she and her team conduct their regular "Kalinga sa Maynila" forum which goes around barangays where residents can air their suggestions, complaints, and questions directly to her.