Ian Veneracion is a man of many hobbies.
When he's not busy with showbiz work, Ian often retreats to his other passions, such as painting, photography, and music.
It’s not just about aesthetics for Ian.
The 49-year-old actor is an accomplished adrenaline junkie, with licenses as a private pilot, skydiver, and paraglider.
On top of that, his enthusiasm extends to cars—he is well-versed in the technical aspects of automobiles—and all sorts of motor vehicles.
Ian shared, “Mahilig kasi ako talaga ever since magbutingting ng kotse.
"Mga motor, for example, na carbureted pa. So, mahilig ako magbaklas, mag-adjust ng fuel-air mixture.
"Minsan hindi ko pa masosoli yung binaklas ko, dadali ako sa mechanical power, isa ulit. Yung mga ganun.
“I'm from that generation, e, na nagkukumpuni ng electric fan. You know, you try to figure things out.
"Lumaki ako sa Lego, so mahilig ako sa mechanical stuff.”
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Ian's CHANGING LIFESTYLE AND NEEDS
Like many, Ian's taste in cars has evolved over the years.
During his launch held at La Creperie in Quezon City as the new endorser for the car brand BAIC and its B60 Beaumont model, he recalled being captivated by sleek sports cars featured in posters and magazines during his teenage years.
Today, he prioritizes size and functionality with aesthetics as a bonus, as he told PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal):
“Habang tumatagal, like the setting in the Philippines, the roads here, and also for practical reasons, lalo nahilig ako sa outdoor activities.
“Marami akong gamit, mahilig ako mag-camping. Minsan, kunwari, you go scuba diving, ang daming gamit nun.
"You go camping or paragliding or paramotor. So space, nagiging issue na ‘yun.”
Another reason why space is a big consideration for the actor, “I usually travel with my family. I have three kids and hindi na sila small kids, kasing lalaki ko na sila.”
Ian is married to Pam Gallardo and they have three children: Draco, Dierdre, and Duccio.
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Ian loves EXPLORING THE PHILIPPINES BY LAND
An avid fan of hitting the road for long drives, Ian enjoys going on solo trips or having his family in tow.
“The Philippines is the most beautiful place to go on long drives, whether you're on a motorcycle, which I enjoy also, or an SUV with your family,” said Ian excitedly.
“Ang dami nating beaches, ang dami nating bundok, punta ka ng northern part— Tuguegarao, Ilocos—puwede mo ikutin yung North Loop na iyan."
Stretching 1,723 kilometers, the North Loop, also referred to as the North Luzon Loop, passes through Central Luzon, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, the National Capital Region or CALABARZON.
Ian further said, “Sa South naman, Bicol. Tapos puwede ka pa mag-ferry. Puwede ka mag-Leyte, kung saan-saan.
“Ang dami-daming magagandang pupuntahan sa Pilipinas na lagi kang merong makakainan na lugar. Lagi kang may resort na matutuluyan.
“Tsaka yung klima. Hindi kang mamamatay sa init, hindi ka mamamatay sa lamig. Sakto lang, di ba? So perfect for the outdoors talaga ang Philippines.”
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IAN ENDURES TOUGH TREK WITH HIS CHILDREN
Ian’s love for the outdoors is shared by his family. Whenever schedules allow, he brings his wife and children along on his road adventures.
From beaches to mountains, Ian and his family travel for hours and days, using these trips as bonding moments.
In 2018, Ian and his children hiked for ten hours to reach the top of Yosemite Falls in California, USA.
Read: Ian Veneracion and kids climb 2,700 feet to reach the top of Yosemite Falls
Though undoubtedly impressive, that experience pales in comparison to their adventure in South Asia.
“Actually, yung pinakamalayong, pinaka-extreme na ginawa namin, nagpunta kami sa Nepal,” Ian recalled fondly.
He went on, “We trekked the Himalayas, the Annapurna Circuit for seven days.
"Tapos, ano pa, Christmas Day nag-start kami maglakad. Dumating kami sa Annapurna Base Camp ng New Year.
“So, ganung haba yung nilakad namin, and sobrang lamig. Kami na yung last batch na pinayagan mag-trek kasi nga sobrang lamig.”
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The Annapurna Circuit showcases the stunning mountain ranges of central Nepal.
This multi-day trek leads hikers through rivers, suspension bridges, cliffs, and fields along various villages. It has been acclaimed as “the best long-distance trek in the world.”
Ian recounted telling his kids while navigating the trek, “Kanya-kanyang gamit, ha?
"Hindi ako yaya dito. Ikaw, [dalhin mo] gamit mo. Ikaw, you're responsible for your stuff and your sleeping bags.”
To Ian's relief, his kids managed to withstand the hostile conditions. It was a feat that filled Ian with pride as a father.
“Nag-survive kayo dito. At least, panatag na loob ko na kahit saan kayo, talagang magsu-survive kayo," he told his children after the trek.
"So, yun ang training ko sa kids ko.”
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