It’s worth the trip

Last week, I wrote about one of the perks of my job: Being served food in the houses of celebrities I interview. There is, however, another fringe benefit being in media: Travel.

Friends outside of show business keep telling me I must envy the hosts of travel programs because they get to go to different places. I have news for them: I don’t. Although traveling is pleasurable, I’d rather be in my comfort zone if I can help it. One time, my Startalk director Floy Quintos almost strangled me because he found out that I said no to an interview with Jodie Foster in the US. I don’t regret that because — as Lolit Solis said later in my defense — most Startalk viewers wouldn’t give a hoot about the two-time Oscar winner. But I do have travels (here and abroad) related to my job that I relish and I’m recalling some of them in this column. Believe me, these aren’t necessarily impressive destinations, but I enjoyed each one.

Tuguegarao, Cagayan — This was my first trip as a media person. I was about to finish school, but had already started working for a local publication. The trip to Cagayan was an invitation of DZBB because they were blessing the new studio. The plane ride was bumpy because we had to fly over mountains and there were a lot of air pockets. I must have been the only one who wasn’t clutching a rosary in our small plane — not because I was such a brave boy, but because the strange person that I am, I enjoy these kinds of thrills and adventure. In fact, I got scared more when my Mom showed her displeasure upon my return home because my pasalubong for the entire family was only one small pack of pastillas made of carabao milk that I ended up consuming myself.

Hong Kong — I traveled thrice with Susan Calo-Medina and that was my first time to join the group of Travel Time. I had a little bit of trauma during this trip because Susan was masungit and I can’t blame her because she had to be host, producer and writer that time. Mercifully she was only like that during the first two days (we were there for a total of six). As days passed we became more comfortable with each other and adjusted to each other’s quirks. But it was a tiring trip because even if I was just there to observe, I brought it upon myself to help carry the equipment (I was tempted to just leave that heavy tripod in Statue Square one time). But basically it was fun because Susan — in fairness to her — saw to it that we enjoyed the trip. I traveled two more times with them — in Coron and in Zamboanga/Tawi-Tawi and I’ve maintained my friendship with Susan and her staff, especially Yoyet Tungol.

Palawan — This was for the summer episode of Showbiz Lingo in 1996 and we had to fly to Puerto Princesa to interview the late FPJ who was doing a movie there — I think — about the life of Edward Hagedorn. I’ll never forget our arrival there because Cristy Fermin was caught throwing a cigarette butt in the airport vicinity and there was a campaign against littering. Our guide actually tried to mediate, but Cristy put her foot down, flatly refused to pull strings and paid the fine. Around that time, Cristy was facing a lot of legal cases — libel, included. Her reaction after she got off the hook: "Sa dinami-dami ng kaso ko, muntik na akong makulong dahil lang sa littering." We all had a good laugh after that. At the end of our Palawan sojourn, Mayor Hagedorn gave me a little present. A bamboo sumpit that I kept playing with in the ABS-CBN production office — to the consternation of the executives.

Baguio — This was just for a general brainstorming session of Cristy Perminute, where I had a movie review segment. This was in 1996 and I hardly left the hotel because I just slept through most days. The only time I went out was to buy jams at Good Shepherd and I couldn’t help, but get dismayed by the pollution. I didn’t like Baguio that time and promised myself never to return. Five years later, I became a Baguio resident.

Cebu — Startalk brought me to Cebu twice — one for an ad congress and the other for a Grand Kapuso Fans’ Day. The first Startalk trip to the Queen City of the South was tough because aside from attending functions, we had to do two episodes — one live and the other taped. In fact, the only time I saw my Cebu-based sister was when she "kidnapped" me one night for dinner at home. The next time Startalk went to Cebu, I refused the hotel accommodations and stayed home where my sister hosted a lunch for the GMA 7 people — which reminds me: I haven’t paid her yet for that lechon Cebu and it has been two years since.

Phuket, Thailand — One of my most enjoyable trips because I traveled with almost 40 people — the entire Startalk staff and crew. Rosanna Roces brought her entire family and they were already a tour group by themselves. Startalk actually reserved an up and down suite for her — with four large beds — in an upscale hotel along with the rest. But she wanted to stay at the Meridian and her suite was all of a sudden vacant. Since I was next in line, I assumed the suite and had it all to myself. Of course, I had to sign Jennifer Molina (Osang’s married name) all throughout our stay there since it was originally reserved for her. A small price to pay for all that comfort. I offered to share my suite with the rest, but no one apparently wanted to room with me (I wonder why).

But there was really a lot of bonding since we had breakfast, lunch and dinner together and ate good food. Of course, we had to work, but it was minimal (only a few spiels to memorize). Basically, we just had fun.

In that deadly tsunami that hit the Southeast Asian region on Dec. 26, 2004, the place where we stayed was wiped away. The hotel may be gone, but the beautiful memories will stay with us for life.