Michael Alfred V. Ignacio
Where and when was your first trip outside of your home country?My first trip outside of the Philippines, alone, was when I left for Spain to take up my masters degree, back in 2002. I resigned from my work in San Miguel Corporation in Manila to pursue my degree in international business at the Universidad de Alicante in the Valencia region.
Looking back, I actually do not know if I would be as brave now to do the same thing all over again. I enrolled in a course where the medium of instruction was purely in Spanish, armed with only my high school Spanish from St. Pius X Seminary and my own self-study a few months before I left for Spain. For the first two months, I could barely understand a word of what the professors where saying in class with their dizzyingly fast Castilian Spanish, and I thought I would fail my subjects ... until I realized, even my classmates from Latin America also had about the same challenges in comprehending the professors. After about two months, everything came into place and I was already joking with the rest of my classmates. I did all my exams, answered all my recitations and even wrote and defended my thesis, all in Spanish.
What is it about traveling that appeals to you the most?
As a child, I grew up surrounded by lots of books, encyclopedias and travel almanacs, including my grandfather’s National Geographic subscription in our family library. I was always very fascinated with other places, different cultures, their history and way of living - everything I read in the books and the photos that accompanied the entries. When I finally had the chance of living abroad, traveling became like second nature to me. Studying in Spain afforded me to go around Spain and the rest of Europe. Since then, I was hooked. Visiting a city or a town is like going to a living museum, the architecture, the language, the people. There is nothing as fulfilling for me as to immerse oneself into the daily life of the place I am visiting, how the locals live, the local vibe.
How many UN recognized sovereign countries have you visited?
I actually do not keep count, so I had to do a checklist now. I’ve been to about 30 countries, not counting Taiwan which is not a UN recognized country due to the One China Policy. I actually lived as a resident in 15 cities in 8 countries all over the world.
How would you describe your traveling style?
I am more of a leisure traveler. When I visit a country, I tend to stay for at least two weeks to a month at a time, immersing in the local culture and way of life, visiting museums, historical sites, visiting cities and living like a local, taking as much time as I like. I tend to visit countries and cities that appeal to me. I would prefer that anytime as opposed to a fast-paced marathon tour of multiple countries in one go, which to me doesn’t make sense. There was always the next year to look forward to in visiting another country, that is before the pandemic hit.
What was the most difficult country to enter in your experience thus far?
Because of my line of work, I actually do not have issues in entering a certain country. Perks of the job include visa-waiver privileges in many countries. I also lived in Europe and in North America when I was in the private sector, which means that traveling around the European Union or all over the States was a breeze.
To live in another country, on the other hand, is an entirely different story. For me, I think, India was the most difficult place I have had to live in and adjust to. I was assigned there for less than two years.
What was the most inaccessible country that you visited to-date?
Unlike other more adventurous travelers, I do not think I’ve visited what could be considered an inaccessible country. I’ve been to Slovenia for work once, when I represented the country officially as our lone delegate to the Europe-Asia Senior Officials Meeting on Trade and Investments. I have also been to Sri Lanka on official business, but it was surprisingly pleasant and orderly there compared to other south Asian countries. I also lived in Mexico for several months. Because I speak Spanish, I just wore shades and went around the Mexican capital. When I met my Mexican classmates (who studied in Spain with me) for lunch one time, they asked where I came from that morning. I told them I went around Polanco and the city center before meeting with them. They were terrified and told me, it wasn’t safe for me to be doing that. I could easily have been mugged and robbed of my watch and money. During that time, in 2006, hotel reception staff would hand out business cards to call accredited taxis, while warning of multiple cases of abduction and robbery done by unlicensed taxis to unknowing tourists.
What place draws you back more than the others and why?
Europe in general, and Italy and Spain in particular because I feel that our culture is so much similar to that of Spain. I love the Southern European charm, the openness and the humor of the Spanish and Italian people. For me, Spaniards and Italians are so much warmer and welcoming than their northern neighbors, with so much zest for life. Spanish and Italian cuisine are my absolute favorites.
Do you think learning a second or third language essential for world travelers?
Because I speak Spanish almost like a native, picking up other Romance languages was a breeze for me. Maybe I have an ear for languages, because I can also speak Italian, Portuguese, French, some Catalan, mostly because I picked them up from my classmates, colleagues and friends from other European countries when I was studying and working in several cities in the old continent, both during my time in the private sector and in foreign service. I consider this facility in languages as a valuable gift and a plus when visiting countries, which provides me more affinity with the locals of the place I am visiting while admiring the peculiarities of the place, savoring the food, practicing the language. I used to just wonder in amazement at the photos from the books and travel almanacs I loved reading when I was a kid, so I consider this privilege to be actually walking the streets of those countries I only used to read about as an absolute blessing.
Michael at Royal Ascot in England
What is your most memorable travel experience?
I was giving a talk at the Chamber of Commerce in Finland when the Icelandic Volcano erupted in 2010. I was based in London then, and all of a sudden, I was one of about 60,000 travelers who were stuck in Europe, because all flights were suspended for more than a week due to the ash cloud. I was staying at the residence of the Philippine Ambassador in Helsinki then, and what was supposed to be a 3-day business trip turned into a 5-day stay. On my 5th day in Helsinki, I decided to find my way back to London because no one knew when the skies would clear up again to be safe enough for planes to fly in. A colleague who was based in Stockholm was also stuck with me in Helsinki at the time, and she booked a cabin in a luxury cruise from Helsinki to Stockholm. I decided to hitch a ride on the luxury cruise and returned to London, trying to get as close as I can to the UK, by instantaneously booking separate trips via ferry, bus and train - all without reservations. It took me about five days across Sweden, Denmark, Germany, and Brussels before stepping foot in London again. It turned out to be quite a pleasant, yet exhausting adventure and to this day, I am still friends with some of the travelers who made the long trip back with me on different legs of that adventure-filled return trip.
Other memorable experiences for me while living and working as a diplomat in Europe was being invited to Royal Receptions. I met the then King Juan Carlos of Spain and even spoke to Reina Sofia in Spanish at the Palacio del Pardo in Madrid at a return-reception hosted by then President Macagapal-Arroyo for the Spanish King. I was also invited to Buckingham Palace at an Evening Reception in 2011, that the Queen hosts for diplomats every year. Many ladies of rank wore tiaras and it was so surreal. I even had a short conversation with Queen Elizabeth after having been introduced by the Lord Chamberlain to Her Majesty. Prince Philip cracked an endearing joke with me on how I manage to be wearing the Barong Tagalog in the middle of winter.
I also had the privilege of being invited by the Queen’s Lord Chamberlain to attend the races at the Royal Ascot, as a guest of Her Majesty in the Royal Enclosure. What was even better was I was allowed to bring friends with me, mostly my good friends who were also based in the UK. So we had an opportunity to dress up in our top hats and coat tails, and hats for the women.
What was the most hairy experience you encountered while traveling?
On my third day in Madrid when I first arrived in Spain, I got pick-pocketed at the train station as I was traveling to Alicante to live there as a student. I did not realize that the metro stations in Madrid were so unfriendly to handicapped individuals and people with heavy luggages- they didn’t have escalators in many stations. I was so preoccupied with hauling my two heavy luggages up and down the stairs and the pick-pockets got to my wallet. I did not know what happened, but all of a sudden, I saw my passport fall to the train tracks. My wallet and all the travelers checks in it were gone. I had to jump down to the train tracks to retrieve my passport and someone helped me back up before the train arrived at the stop. Back then, American Express Travelers checks were still in use, and I had my entire three-months worth of allowances as a student plus rent money, stolen. Luckily, I was able to get back all the funds a couple of weeks later after reporting the theft to the Amex customer service center.
When I got to Alicante, I had to go to the Police Station to file a police report, which was a requirement for me to get refunded by American Express. I still wonder how I was able to explain all of that in Spanish and got myself understood correctly. Talk about baptism by fire.
I did not dare tell my parents what happened and that I was almost penniless for the first two weeks of my stay in my new city in Spain as a student. Mom found out about it from someone who worked for the bank where I got the travelers checks from. Fortunately, I already reserved and paid for my University dorm room in advance and good food was cheap in Spain. This was back in 2002.
How do you prepare for your trip?
For a relatively seasoned traveler, I tend to go on trips on short notice, mostly also because of my erratic schedule at work. While living in India, I planned to spend my holidays in the Maldives but then I changed my mind at the last minute and decided to fly to Italy instead. Thanks to the internet, I booked my flights and hotel rooms one day before my trip.
I usually have a checklist of things I need to pack and bring with me, like my travel documents, travel insurance, medicine, essentials and clothes that I need to use, depending on the season and what the trend is at my destination. Unfortunately, as much as I would like to be a light-traveler, I am not. I tend to bring a lot of stuff with me on my trips.
What do you carry in your travel bag?
In my hand carry bag, I always have my passport and my gadgets, usually my phone and an iPad, my power bank and wires, my AirPods, shades, travel tooth brush and a change of shirts. Now because of the pandemic, I also bring enough supply of n95 face masks, a small spray can of alcohol and mouthwash.
Michael at the Louvre
Were you ever seriously ill while traveling and how did you cope with it?
I was in Vancouver for a talk at the Filipino-Canadian Chamber of Commerce Event once, and I had a very bad bout of vomiting and malaise, caused by an allergic reaction in my liver. Though nothing very serious, it felt like I was hit by a truck. I cancelled a couple of appointments but pushed through with the main speaking part. I had to excuse myself twice during my talk to go to the bathroom, to throw up. I only saw a doctor when I returned to my base in San Francisco soon after that. For good measure, I always have my global travel and health insurance with me, which is a must for every traveler.
How do you think the pandemic has changed or will change your travel plans?
Definitely, traveling as we know it, has already changed by a lot. Before the pandemic, I was based in Taiwan and I would go to Europe for a vacation at least once or twice a year. I also took advantage of the relatively short distance and traveled home to see the parents almost every month. I would leave on Friday evening, and return to Taipei by Monday morning in time for work.
Since the pandemic started, I had to cancel a trip to Japan, Italy, Greece and New York. I also had to stay put in Taiwan for almost two years, missing being at home for Christmas with the family in 2020.
What’s first on your travel list when normal travel resumes?
I look forward to visiting my sister, who is based in New York. It was a pity because she decided to move to the US soon after I finished my stint as Trade Commissioner at the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco from 2011-2014. I also lived in the Bay Area back when I was in the private sector in 2006-2007.
My advise to novice travelers is to read about the country they want to visit first. And choose to visit the country that appeals to them the most. I also do not recommended doing a marathon tour of multiple countries in one trip, as everything would go by in a blur. For me, it is always better to make the most of your visit to one country before moving on to the next one. Enjoy the sights and sounds, the food, the culture, the local flavor.
Most importantly, first time travelers should always have international travel insurance. It would save you from a lot of trouble if needed. Also for internet connection, just get a local prepaid SIM card upon arriving at the airport and load it up with enough data for the duration of your trip. This will save you a small fortune on roaming charges. Don’t bring all your cash with you, just bring enough for 3-5 days, tips and cab money. If you have a US Dollar or Euro bank account, your ATM card (with Visa or Mastercard debit) will allow you to withdraw from any ATM or to pay for purchases as a debit card directly at the till). When using your credit card, always asked to be billed in the local currency, as credit card exchange rates are a rip-off and you will end up spending more than you actually purchased.
I also always just use uber for my rides instead of hailing a cab. For long trips, renting a car is cheap, just make sure you have an international driver’s license or the country of your destination recognizes your current driver’s license.
About Michael Alfred V. Ignacio
A career commercial diplomat and member of the Philippine Foreign Trade Service Corps by profession, Michael is currently on his home tour of duty in the Philippines on interim assignments as Special Assistant to the Undersecretary of Competitiveness and Innovation and as Special Adviser to the Undersecretary of Industry Development and Trade Policy for Priority Investment Projects.
Michael was previously assigned to 5 different posts as head of DTI’s Philippine Trade and Investment Centers in various foreign missions in Taiwan, New Delhi, San Francisco, London and Brussels.
Prior to joining government, Michael was doing international business development work for a telecommunications technology provider while based in the United States and the Philippines and as Philippine Country Manager and regional business development head for Southeast Asia for a Spanish owned company. He also worked for San Miguel Corporation from 1997-2002 as Manager for Leasing and Business Development and on special assignment for then SMC COO Ramon S. Ang before pursuing his post-graduate studies in Spain.
Michael is the founder of Slingshot Philippines and its lead organizer. Slingshot was the official Startup Event of APEC that was hosted in the Philippines in 2015. It won the Gold Anvil Award for that year.
He holds a Masters in International Business degree from the Universidad de Alicante in Spain and a Bachelors degree in Commerce major in Legal Management from De La Salle University in Manila. Michael is fluent in Spanish, and conversant in Italian, French, Portuguese and Catalan, in addition to his native command of at least three Filipino languages.
About The Road to 193
The Road to 193 is a series of interviews with world travelers who are on a quest to visit all 193 United Nations recognized sovereign countries. Less than 300 travelers from around the world have visited all 193 countries, according to Nomad Mania, a non profit organization that validates the countries and regions visited by its community of travelers through a rigorous verification process. The goal of visiting all 193 countries is elusive at times and fraught with challenges including trying to get a visa, going to a war torn country, finding passage to a remote island nation, traveling to dangerous locations and when the budget doesn’t quite fit the bill. But once conquered, the traveler joins an exclusive club of world travelers who persisted to reach their final destination.
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Images provided by Michael V. Ignacio
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