Rico Hizon: Our man in BBC

From the 19th to the 31st of this month, BBC World News will highlight the Philippines through its top-rating shows. Aptly called Philippines Direct, the two-week season of coverage will showcase stories with a distinctly Filipino flavor, from the economic, tourism and lifestyle standpoint.

One of the programs, Working Lives, is hosted by Rico Hizon, our man in BBC, who will go to Cebu to meet and interview a range of people about the country’s growth and how it has benefited all levels of society. He will also visit parts of Cebu affected by Typhoon Yolanda to check on the residents’ livelihood.

Formerly with GMA 7, Rico, 48, has been with BBC since 2002 in Singapore as presenter of the daily business/finance program Asia Business Report and co-presents Newsday with Babita Sharma who is based in London. A Broadcast Journalism and Business graduate from De La Salle University, Rico has travelled to Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines to cover a range of news reports, from the impact of the financial crisis to the boom of the Asian property sector.

In his almost 25 years as a broadcast journalist, he has interviewed personalities in the financial, political and sporting worlds — from Microsoft’s Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer, Air Asia’s Tony Fernandes, Virgin’s Sir Richard Branson, billionaire Warren Buffet, to top hedge fund managers George Soros and Mark Mobius.

Among the world leaders he has interviewed are former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad, European Union President Jose Manuel Barroso, Nobel Prize Laureate Muhammad Yunus, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, US President Bill Clinton and Philippine presidents Fidel Ramos and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

In the sporting world, he has interviewed world-boxing champion Manny Pacquiao, basketball stars Lebron James and Kobe Bryant and top female golfers Michelle Wie and Lorena Ochoa.

In the entertainment world, he has talked to Hollywood actress Michelle Yeoh, K-Pop phenomenon PSY, American Idol judge Steven Tyler, musical stars Lea Salonga and Charice, and pop music composer David Foster.

Among his many awards is the Broadcast Journalist of the Year given in 2012 by the Rotary Club of Manila and the Doctorate Honoris Causa in Humanities by the University of Northeastern Philippines.

In 2009, he was awarded La Sallian Achievement Awardee for Global Journalism. In 2008, he was the Philippine Presidential Awardee for excellence in International Journalism.

Here’s Funfare’s e-mail interview with Rico:

Can you tell us more about Philippines Direct?

“The Philippines is in the spotlight this May as it has been six months since Typhoon Yolanda swept through parts of the country. BBC World News is broadcasting a special series of documentaries and news programs that go behind the headlines to report on life in the southeast Asian nation half a year after. In November 2013, the channel covered extensively the devastation the typhoon wreaked on the Philippines, and it will be interesting to see how the country’s re-building efforts are coming along. 

“The Country Direct seasons on BBC World News explore a range of issues and topics, from the economy and the challenges facing the local workforce, to standards of living for people at every level of society, and the local culture. Previous Direct seasons have focused on India, Indonesia, Japan, Canada, France, Poland and Ukraine.”

Can you enlighten us on why BBC World News decided to focus on the Philippines?

“BBC World News will explore how the Philippines is recovering from one of the strongest recorded storms — socially, economically and culturally. From the overall state of the Philippine economy to the day-to-day lives of people throughout the country, the first-ever Philippines Direct season will explore the challenges and opportunities the country faces today.”

Can you share details about your program? What should we look forward to?

“I will be presenting Working Lives from Cebu. In this 30-minute program, I will meet a range of people who work there: The lady CEO of a multi-million dollar business; a maverick furniture maker whose designs have gone global, a call center worker; a struggling fisherman; and a Catholic priest. We will be asking what it is about the Philippines that has meant growth has happened at the rate it has, and if the benefits of growth have affected all levels of society. Parts of Cebu were devastated by the typhoon, so we will ask how that has affected people’s livelihoods.” (Working Lives will be airing on BBC World News at these local times: May 24 at 12.30 p.m.; May 25 at 1:30 a.m., 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.)

You being a Filipino, what specific local traits/trivia do you think is worth sharing to the audience?

“Despite many challenges, Filipinos have a positive and optimistic attitude in life. That resilience is underpinned by the Filipino spirit of Bayanihan or camaraderie and our strong faith. Rather than viewing failure as a hurdle, this is where we Filipinos find hope and use it as an opportunity to push creative boundaries. For Filipinos, success is measured not merely by material gain but by family, being part of a community and sharing with one another — kapit bisig.”

Having dealt with different cultures, how does it help you in your field of work?

“At the BBC, I am part of an international team of professionals with diverse backgrounds and sometimes differing opinions so I have learned it all boils down to flexibility and communication. It is crucial to learn the ability to empathize, respect, and understand where the other is coming from, and to communicate accordingly. These qualities also allow me to remain sensitive to the needs and opinions of the people I work with and those that I interview.”

What does it take to be a reporter for BBC World News?

“One word — passion. With passion, everything else follows — guts, stamina, dedication, attention to detail, insight and incisiveness. Being a presenter for the BBC requires not only the ability to interview some of the most powerful and influential people in the world but also an understanding of and having an in-depth view of global news events and the impact on peoples’ daily lives.”

Given the chance, what places in the world would you like to go to the most?

“I have been to numerous places in Asia, North America and Western Europe and what draws me in every place is a country’s culture and art. I have enjoyed those experiences tremendously. So as a next stop, I would like to visit Eastern Europe and South America. I look forward to exploring museums and historical sites and immerse myself in the culture of the locals.”

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. You may also send your questions to [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.)