Why Rico Hizon grew a beard in Rome

An early-morning brief stopover at BBC studios on our way to Changi Airport to catch the first flight back home to Manila, was almost always an integral part of a meticulously researched and well-planned Singapore itinerary, back in my DOT days. Yes, erstwhile Secretary of the Department of Tourism Ace Durano consistently made it a point to meet up with Rico Hizon, anchor for BBC World News Asia Business Report and Asia Today programs which broadcast to over 350 million households worldwide from Singapore, eagerly sharing travel and tourism updates about our islands.

That’s how I first met Rico traveling in my capacity as the former DOT Undersecretary for Planning and Promotions. Thus began a friendship nurtured through joint programs, both official and personal.

A graduate of De La Salle University, Rico Hizon always dreamed of being a news reporter. He started out with GMA-7 as a production assistant, running errands, preparing coffee. Just as his patience was running dry, Dong Puno, whom Rico credits with teaching him the ropes of broadcast journalism, offered Rico a chance to be his co-anchor on Business Today; from then on, there was no stopping Rico’s dream.

After years with GMA News and Public Affairs, he found himself on the Sarimanok Channel, the forerunner of today’s ANC. He joined CNBC Business News in 1995 and in 2002 finally moved to the BBC, which he considers his dream job. “For me,” he says, “this is the pinnacle of my career.”

Three musketeers: The ever-so-close-knit family — Rico Hizon with wife Melannie and son Migo — between cuddles and hugs, enjoys a clear-sky day in the city by the bay, San Francisco.

Rico is the only Asian — more importantly the only Filipino — to anchor both the CNBC Business News and the BBC World News, two of the world’s leading television news organizations.

Over two decades, Rico has interviewed countless global personalities and celebrities who have helped shaped the political, financial and sporting spheres. They include US President Bill Clinton, Singapore’s Lew Kuan Yew, Malaysia’s Mahathir Mohammed, Indonesia’s Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the Philippines’ Cory Aquino, Fidel Ramos, Joseph Estrada and Gloria Macapagal Aroyo, Virgin Air’s Sir Richard Branson, Microsoft’s Bill Gates, superstar athletes Kobe Bryant, Andre Agassi, Grant Hill, Gabriela Sabatini and David Robinson, Warren Buffett and Michelle Yeoh, among others.

In 2008, and again in 2009, Rico was invited by former US President Bill Clinton to moderate the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meetings both in Hong Kong and New York. But Rico is no stranger to awards and citations: in 1996, he was honored as The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) awardee for international journalism and community service. In 2008, the Bank of the Philippine Islands conferred upon him the BPInoy Award for “bringing honor and recognition to our country worldwide.” He was likewise cited by the RFM Corporation the very first Yes the Filipino Can Award for “advocating important Filipino values and principles.” In the same year, Rico received the Presidential Pamana ng Pilipino Award bestowed upon overseas Filipino who “brought honor and recognition through excellence and distinction in the pursuit of their work or profession.” In 2010, People Asia magazine listed Rico among their People of the Year for “his patriotism and excellence in broadcasting.”

Rico, together with his wife, the former Melannie Syquia, an art enthusiast, and their only child Migo have been residents of Singapore close to 14 years, and yet they relish when they come home once every few weeks.

The Hizon residence is still very much a Filipino home — albeit surrounded by original works of Jose Joya, BenCab, Arturo Luz, Ang Kuikok and Anita Magsaysay Ho plus contemporary artists such as Elmer Borlongan, Winner Jumalon, Mark Justiniani, Jose Santos III and Joy Mallari. The Hizons still enjoy Philippine cuisine, listen to OPM, enjoy local showbiz and teleseryes and follow the news on our islands. They’ve even launched a website — Good News Pilipinas (http://goodnewspilipinas.com) — to highlight all things great and beautiful in our country. In fact, Rico still finds time to get involved in the Filipino community, the place that will always be his home.

PHILIPPINE STAR: What do you remember most of your first trip abroad?

RICO HIZON: In 1977, I flew to Tehran, Iran on a layover en route to Europe with my parents. The weather was so cold that my lips swelled up till I couldn’t even talk!

What won’t you leave home without?

Cash, credit card and camera. My essential three Cs!

Describe your present passport photograph.

Like reporting the news on BBC World News — serious and credible. (Laughs)

How do you pass time at airports?

I always look for something to buy at the Duty-Free Shop, Internet surfing and last-minute updates on my Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Who is your ideal traveling companion?

My wife, Melannie. She is fun, spontaneous, and we share exactly the same passion — shopping! 

What is the first thing you do upon checking in at a hotel or at a resort?

Inquire about the Wi-Fi Internet connection and the interesting places to shop and to dine.

What would you consider a must-do activity in every foreign city that you visit?

To be able to get a special item in the city and say to yourself after the visit, “It was a good find and certainly worth the trip.”

Two icons plus one: Broadcast journalist Rico Hizon and son Migo before the larger-than-life statue of basketball great Magic Johnson in Los Angeles

Describe your most memorable trip.

The Greek islands of Mykonos and Santorini with my wife Melannie on our 10th wedding anniversary. It was just like our first honeymoon.

What do you miss most when you’re away from home?

In Manila: Our parents, our friends, the bazaars, Sentro at Serendra and Tapa King.

In Singapore: Our apartment and friends.

What is the best travel advice you were given?

Always check on the weather. It makes a whole lot of difference.

What is the strangest thing you have done on a trip?

Not shaving for a week only to hopefully avoid being bothered by touts asking for money when I was in Venice. Just before visiting Venice, we spent some time in Rome and I had the terrible experience of people asking me for money, thinking I was Japanese. So I decided to keep a beard and a moustache in the hope of fending away bothersome and unwelcome hustlers. However, I later realized my facial hair had also put off shop assistants in attending to my needs at their stores!

Let’s talk favorites now. Name your favorite city abroad.

New York, Los Angeles and London.

Name your favorite spot in the Philippines.

Boracay.

Favorite airline?

For trips to America, definitely Philippine Airlines. On other destinations, Singapore Airlines.

Favorite airport?

Singapore’s Changi Airport. It is really a cut above the rest. I always look forward to departing and arriving in Changi. I could live there for a few days.

Favorite museum?

Confused warriors in Legoland, California: Father and son as warring knights of times pasts yet bearing identical shields from same Royal Household.

Without a doubt the BenCab Museum in Baguio City.

And if you could take home a piece of art, which one would it be?

I will take home not just one piece, but all of BenCab’s artworks! (Laughs)

Favorite hotel or resort?

Discovery Shores in Boracay. Facilities and service par excellence! World class!

Favorite landmark, building or park?

Yankee Stadium in the Bronx and Target shopping centers — would you believe?

Favorite musical or play?

Let’s just say I have been blessed and have enjoyed Les Miserables seven times, Phantom of the Opera five times. Miss Saigon four times and The Lion King three times.

Favorite mall or store?

My wife and I love the outlet malls in California and Nevada.

Favorite restaurant or bar?

Four Seasons’ One-Ninety Restaurant in Singapore. Mamou and Sentro at Serendra in The Fort.

Name an event anywhere in the world you would like to participate in.

The World Series of American baseball, throwing out the ceremonial ball; or a Manny Pacquiao title fight, being the ringside announcer.

What are your favored pasalubongs — inbound/outbound?

Candies, fruits, Ikea stuff, keychains and fridge magnets. They are the no-brainer pasalubongs.

What is the worst souvenir you have ever brought back from a trip?

Rocks, which I carried for my wife when we went to the volcano crater in Santorini.

Aside from unpacking your suitcase, what is the first thing you do upon returning home?

Three’s company: Melannie and Rico with Minnie Mouse in the Happiest Place On Earth.

Shower and watch TFC and BBC World News for a quick update of what’s happening in the Philippines and around the world.

Name a city you have never visited but would like to someday.

Moscow, Reyjavik and Prague.

Name a country or region you wish to explore.

Machu Picchu in Peru and the Maldives.

What would you say is the best part of travel?

Being at the airport with all the excitement of all the things you are about to do upon arrival at your destination.

What would you say, then, is the worst part of travel?

Baggage check-in and when your trip is over.

If you could reside anywhere in the world aside from the Philippines, where would it be?

I like two cities in America, New York and Los Angeles. Love the energy of the Big Apple and LA for the great weather!