Trusted and true

MANILA, Philippines - Being trusted and true means one has become the image to aspire to and the influencer to look up to. One lucky person who belongs to this mold is Ryan Agoncillo. Proof to that is his recent award from Reader’s Digest, the Most Trusted Entertainment/Variety Presenter.  

“You know this has to be the most special (award) to date for me,” said the Eat, Bulaga! host of his latest achievement in an interview with select media, “because Mike (Enriquez) and Jessica (Soho) were my former bosses when I was still part of the public affairs division of GMA. I was 19 or 20 years old then. I really look up to them.” Jessica and Mike received the Most Trusted News Presenter and Radio Presenter trophies, respectively.  

“The fact that I’m sharing the stage with Mike and Jessica, that’s very thrilling. It’s quite special,” added Ryan, who couldn’t contain his happiness because the award is “from Reader’s Digest, which is something I grew up with. I still have Reader’s Digest at home… it’s not just an award that takes into account your work as a presenter… masarap na may nagsasabi na may nagtitiwala sa sinasabi mo. Maingay kasi ang industriya natin, ang daming nagsasalita, ang daming may sinasabi. So it feels good to be one of the voices that are trusted.”

How is branding important to celebrities like him?

“I guess nowadays, (in the) digital age, we all get to have a brand, meaning it’s just a way to present ourselves. I’m lucky enough to have stumbled upon my brand as my life gets shaped,” replied Ryan. “Now, I’m a presenter, I’m a father, nagkakataon lang talaga na yung gusto ko na mangyari sa career ko (ay) umaayon sa buhay (ko). Having a brand, I think it’s really down to how you are because how you will be perceived (is something) you can’t control, dapat galing sa sarili mo yun.” The TV host and actor mentioned about fake personalities populating the online platform who are also making their own brands and Ryan had this to say: “Ayaw natin nun. Gusto natin yung totoo.” Since he has become true to himself and to his craft, Ryan has successfully crossed over from TV to film and even networks.  

“There are talks, ’wag sanang maudlot,” answered Ryan when asked about his upcoming show on GMA. “I don’t wanna give too many details yet. It’s a game show type. It’s gonna be put together by the public affairs team of GMA. It’s some sort of a homecoming for me. Ang nakausap ko kasi yung mga dating mga tao na nasa Unang Hirit at Mornings@GMA, where I was a part of. I’m excited.”

This is Ryan on-cam but out in the field, he is a motorcycle enthusiast and has graced some drifting events. Ryan is testing his limits by riding up in the Himalayas and reaching the “motorcyclible” point.  

“It’s one of my dream trips,” he said. “I got invited by this group to put together a ride to go up to the highest ‘motorcyclible’ point in the world, which is about 18,000 feet up in the Himalayas... It’s a very small group. We’re not very sure, but I think at least kami yung unang Filipino na grupo na aakyat dun sa lugar na yun. I’m sure marami ng Filipino na nakagawa nun individually.”

Ryan and his fellow riders will do this derring-do in June, a time in the Himalayas when the snow is cleared.  

“We’re gonna be going up and hopefully, if all goes well, we’ll be riding for about  20 days,” he shared. “Sa sobrang taas ng aakyatin namin, we need several days and in every point, we have to acclimatize, dahan, dahan ka.”

Before embarking on this physically and mentally challenging trip, Ryan will engage in motorcycle training but that seems nothing compared to what he can experience in the Himalayas. “The terrain is beautiful but it’s also very dangerous; it’s very unpredictable. You are beholden to the weather. It’s basically summer and the warmest day would be at six degrees,” he said. “So we have to get ready for the cold and the riding conditions and the altitude — ang altitude sickness yung pinakamahirap.”

Joining Ryan are experienced riders, composed of a guy, who has done a tour of the Philippines five times; a chef (an Indian national but a naturalized Filipino), who speaks the local language; a doctor; a director; a chief mechanic-rider; and a lady, who has completed rides around the Philippines.

“It’s gonna be my first time,” he shared. “For me, it’s one of the hardest rides I’ll ever try. Medyo off-road siya. If you watch in some series the most dangerous roads in the world, we’re basically taking those roads up to the highest ‘motorcyclible’ peak in the world.” Ryan added that they will document their experiences. “We need to explain to our families why we will be away for one month… This experience is just too awesome to pass up.”