Bob Zozobrado on chance encounters with George Bush, Sylvester Stallone and David Letterman

Travel is the permanent fixture in my life. No matter how I reinvent myself, I constantly end up — happily at that —in the exciting world of travel,” declares tourism expert Bob Zozobrado, who has successfully donned various hats throughout accomplished corporate career.

And it’s not over yet.

“It all began with a summer job, when upon the invitation of my aunt, I visited relatives in the States. I soon found myself manning the tour desk at the lobby of the St. Francis Hotel in Union Square in San Francisco,” he continues. At this time, he was a pre-med student at the University of San Carlos in Cebu.

He finished the course with honors and went on to med proper at the Cebu Institute of Medicine (Velez) and was third honor after his freshman year.

“However the following year at med school, I could not see myself as a doctor no matter how much I tried. During this time, the memories of my first travel experience made me long more than ever before for opportunities within the industry. So I quit cold turkey,” he confesses.

To prove to his disappointed parents that he had made the right decision, he earnestly peddled his resume around the different travel companies. He soon joined the Pan American World Airways Cebu office as the all around guy with responsibilities in reservations, ticketing, sales, and accounting. “That was fine by me, for I was introduced to the various components of the airline, minus the actual flying of an aircraft,” he laughs.

His next assignment was a transfer to Manila where he eventually won the coveted Pan Am Presidents Annual Sales Award over 5,000 other sales representatives all over the world. Being the first Filipino to be honored, he received a lot of media publicity and exposure, and naturally several job offers came his way.

“Since it was time to move on, and with a better financial package plus many other benefits in hand — remember I was young and restless then — I joined the Hyatt Regency Hotel Manila as its director of sales,” he discloses.

A talented man in a hurry and utterly eager to master a brand-new area in tourism that he was not exposed to, not fully familiar with, the urge to join Thomas Cook, the globe’s largest travel conglomerate was an honest-to-goodness challenge and simply too difficult to resist. He wanted to obtain more knowledge and became its managing director.

Continuous calls to rejoin an airline was not easy to ignore. He succumbed. Like a homeward pigeon, he became the managing director of Thai International Airways and settled as general manager of the General Sales Agent of Northwest Orient Airlines. He soon found some time to teach a course on travel agency marketing at  St. Scholastica.

By year 2000, he opted for early retirement, so he could “enjoy the fruits of my labor — travel extensively and party excessively.”.

Though having a wonderful fun time of his life, many concerned friends soon warned him of the stagnation of his mind, and the deterioration of his body. His solution: open an active Public Relations company. With Thai International Airways as his first client, he returned to travel and tourism. The agency still exists today, and among his several accounts are travel related — Delta Airlines.

He also began teaching at FEU and Lyceum University. The president of Lyceum soon offered him a full time job at the university which did not interest him at first.  However, he realized that it would grant him satisfaction and fulfillment by giving back to the industry that has been so good to him and he gladly accepted the offer.

Today, BobZ, who has completed his dancing card as a tour operator, an airline executive, a hotelier, back to the airline industry, a press relations practitioner with travel and tourism clients, is now busy spreading the wonderful news on the biggest industry of the world as officer-in-charge of the College of International Tourism and Hospitality.

The father of three and the grandfather of one, has finally found his high.

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

BOB ZOZOBRADO: In 1963, an aunt, a sister of my Mom who resided in Oakland, California, invited me to escort her daughter, my first cousin, to her school’s senior ball. I was thrilled to death. Living in Cebu, all my past journeys were limited to inter-island vessels including sailings from Cebu to Manila. And this was going to be my first airplane ride, ever. I can even remember the airlines I took, say from Manila to Tokyo was KLM and from Tokyo to San Francisco was Pan American World Airways. It was such a beautiful experience that resulted in beautiful memories.

What won’t you leave home without?

My rosary made of wood, given by Sister Julia Kim, an instrument to miracles, of Naju, South Korea.

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

I immediately check on the fire exit, measuring the steps from the door of my room to the door of the emergency exit, making mental notes on when and where to turn to safety. In other words, I conduct my own silent fire drill, imagining everything to be in pitch darkness.

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

I always search for the biggest Catholic Church within the city and it’s usually an impressive cathedral. I say a prayer of thanksgiving and gratitude and review the schedule of Masses that I could attend. Sad to say, the number of daily Masses pale in comparison to what we have in our country.

What is your greatest extravagance on trips?

I watch musicals and plays on Broadway in New York or Westend in London. I constantly end up asking myself, “When will I pass this way again with the particular shows playing on stage?” I target the very best orchestra center seats because it’s a matter of here-and-now-or-when-else.

Describe your most memorable trip.

I had dinner with President George Bush — the father. We just didn’t happen to be in the same room. Believe it or not, we shared the same dining table. I was absolutely transfixed. Imagine the most powerful person in the world across the table, only a few feet away. It was during the Annual Convention of the American Society of Travel Agents in Sintra, Portugal and I happen to represent the Philippines. Naturally, I wore a barong, which the American head of state readily noticed. “I have a shirt just like that,” he declared. “It was given by your President.” I was completely stunned at first. Gathering my thoughts, I retorted, “Do you ever get to wear it, sir?” “Oh no,” was his reply. “It’s too cold in Washington, DC.” I was in bewildered awe throughout the entire evening. Surprisingly, I finished all that was served. My plates were empty. But till this day, I don’t recall the menu of the affair. I was in another world altogether, floating in limbo! Truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

What is your greatest fear while on travel?

Aircraft mechanical malfunction or even worse, mechanical failure.

And your greatest pleasure?

Genuine bonding with the family while on a holiday.

What do you most dislike about yourself when travelling?

I habitually tend to go for the more expensive choices in everything that I can get my hands on.

What trait do you most dislike about others while traveling?

Being forever late, whether on sightseeing or shopping sprees. Totally inconsiderate.

What is your favorite mode of transportation?

Airplanes, to get me to my destinations as soon as possible, and cruise ships that leisurely take me from port to port.

What is your favorite fantasy while on a vacation?

Winning the lotto in America or wherever the jackpot is mind-boggling. It could be the Gordo in Spain during the Christmas season.

If you could bring along only one book, what would it be?

Jesus Calling by Sarah Young, a daily reflection on the gospels.

What is the best travel advice you were given?

Travel light. But I’ve struggled with it all these years.

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

I would consider it funny rather than strange. I was billeted at the Hyatt Hotel in Los Angeles, when the fire alarms went off past midnight. The sound of the siren is more than just loud – for it surely got me out of bed in seconds. I quickly headed to the fire exit, for I knew its location and more. I soon found myself going down the stairs attached to the building that led me to the ground. Little did I notice that the entire television crew from several networks were on site filming the entire saga. And there I was, in all my glory, in my Jockey briefs and a T-shirt, in the midst of it all. What more can I say?  

Name a famous person you’ve met while on a trip.

My sister and I, while on a holiday in New York, dropped by Planet Hollywood. Collectively owned by several movie and television stars, it was frequented by the giants of the film and music industry. On this particular evening, movie actor Sylvester Stallone, a part owner, walked in with television host David Letterman and happened to end up at a table next to ours. With the mobile phone still in its infancy, with no attached cameras and no stolen shots for selfies, we gamely approached them, introduced ourselves. After a rather lengthy chat, we ended up with their autographed business cards and napkins complete with endearing messages.

Who would you like to “bump into” – dead or alive – during your travels?

My dreams have not changed through the years. Top of my list has been the Pope, whoever he may be. More so today, with Pope Francis around.

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

Without a doubt. Santorini in Greece. As far as I’m concern, it’s my heaven on earth (smiles).

Name your favorite spot in the Philippines.

Balesin Island in Quezon Province. It’s an excellently planned, well developed, beautiful place.

What’s your favorite place in the world?

The hilltop fronting the caldera in Santorini. Folklore claims that part of the Atlantis of the ancient world slid down into the lake one day some centuries ago.

Favorite musical or play?

The Phantom of the Opera due to its story line, music, sets, costumes, lights, the…. The list goes on and on.

Favorite restaurant?

Serendipity in New York. The food is excellent and desserts are to die for. The décor is so artsy and it continues to attract the interesting Bohemian crowd from all corners of the globe.

Name an event you would like to participate in?

To be one of the presenters during the Oscar Awards Night!

Name a city you have never been before but would like to visit someday.

Nairobi in Kenya and go on a safari.

Name a country you wish to explore.

Though I’ve been to Lisbon, Fatima and Sintra which provided me with unforgettable memories, I still wish to see more of their other small cities and big towns of interest and truly immerse with the people who I’ve discovered in the past to be amiable and accommodating, warm, and caring.

Where will your travels take you next?

Phnom Penh in Cambodia to attend a Tourism Conference on Community Development and in the next few months to be with my first and only grandson in Seattle, Washington.

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

Santorini in Greece. I just love the place. I must have been a Greek god in my past life (laughs).