At 9 years old, Kim Carlo De Dios (or KC) taught himself to read and write Japanese scripts from the family encyclopedia. What started as a childhood obsession became a career.
He has used Japanese in every role he’s held, including his current job as a Manila-based HR specialist. He’s even picked up a few more languages: some French, German and Korean in progress, a bit of Italian, and enough Arabic to track down a souk in Saudi Arabia.
Then there’s the travel quirk: he buys and wears traditional garb from the places he visits. He’ll happily slow down to mingle with locals, but not when he’s behind the wheel. He loves driving beyond speed limits (legally, of course), and once floored it to 212 kph (132 mph) on the German Autobahn.
He’s the guy who’d announce, “WELCOME TO MY VLOOOG!” every time he raised his phone for a group selfie. Did he have a vlog? No. Did he have fans eager for his next post? Also no.
That’s KC. Always ready with a quip, and somehow those around him end up laughing.
FLUENT IN CURIOSITY
Tell us about your love for the Japanese language. How did it all begin?
My language journey began at age 9, when I taught myself to read and write Hiragana and Katakana using our family encyclopedia. Then I watched anime with English subtitles. I later pursued formal study at university, culminating in a one-year exchange program at Hokkaido University in Sapporo, where my fluency solidified. Japanese has since become the cornerstone of my professional career, serving as my primary working language across all my roles.
Share a favorite memory when you were able to connect with others because of a language.
I have a few! My proficiency in Japanese has undoubtedly made the biggest impact.
For instance, during a tour, our guide was struggling to ask a Japanese traveler for a review on GetYourGuide. I stepped in to translate so they wouldn’t have to rely on Google Translate. She was pleasantly surprised and asked why I hadn’t spoken up sooner. I explained that I hadn’t realized she needed help.
Interestingly, Japanese has also helped me connect with non-Japanese travelers. On a flight, an Uzbek man seated beside me noticed my traditional Uzbek chapan and duppi. He guessed I wasn’t a local, noting that young Uzbek men rarely wear national attire when traveling abroad. When he mentioned that he lived and worked in Tokyo, we realized we both spoke Japanese and spent the rest of the flight conversing in it.
In Doha, Qatar, during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, a French traveler noticed I was supporting Les Bleus and struck up a conversation in French. We had a brief, pleasant interaction.
In Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, my basic knowledge of Arabic proved helpful when searching for a local souk. Typing its name in Latin script on Google Maps kept directing us to the wrong place, but searching in Arabic helped me pinpoint the exact location.
Do you have tips for anyone who wishes to learn a new language?
Beyond traditional study methods (e.g. classroom courses, private lessons, or language apps), try to speak the language every day and immerse yourself in native content. Constant exposure helps you tune in to the natural rhythm of the language, making your listening and pronunciation feel more authentic.
Also, traveling to a country where the language is spoken is one of the most effective and enjoyable ways to learn. Nothing compares to real-world, everyday exposure.
Apart from languages, do you have other interests while traveling?
I love buying and wearing local attire when I travel abroad. In the Middle East alone, I bought five outfits: two in Qatar, two in Saudi Arabia, and one in the UAE.
Wearing traditional clothes gives me a deep sense of belonging. It makes me feel connected to the locals and proud to share in their culture. I received positive feedback and praise from people who see me wearing their national outfits.
TRAVEL
What ignited your wanderlust?
It had something to do with language learning and geography. As a kid, I read about wonderful places in my parents’ and grandparents’ encyclopedias at home. I thought to myself, “One day, I’ll visit all these places and see them with my own eyes.” To this day, that kid in me is still very much alive, finally living that dream while still dreaming about places to visit.
Tell us about your first big adventure. Where did you go and how did you feel?
My first big adventure was in 2011 when I studied in Japan. I was able to visit Shiretoko National Park in the winter and to see the amazing drift ice floating on the Sea of Okhotsk. The moment was so surreal as I’ve been dreaming of seeing that place since I was a kid.
What’s your all-time favorite destination and why?
I like driving fast beyond regular speed limits, but I can only do this legally when I’m in Germany. Fastest I’ve ever driven there was 212 kph (132 mph).
*Editor’s note: Some sections of Germany’s Autobahn (highway) have no general speed limit, though many have posted limits. On unrestricted stretches, the recommended speed (Richtgeschwindigkeit) is 130 km/h (81 mph). Driving faster is legal, but it can affect liability in an accident.
From Germany to New Zealand to Azerbaijan, KC likes to drive when he travels abroad.
What’s next on your bucket list, and why does it excite you?
While I do not have concrete plans yet, I dream of visiting Pakistan, India, Norway and Iceland.
KC’S FAVORITE STORIES
Share a moment when a local tradition, dish, or celebration left a real mark on you. Where and when did it happen?
In Uzbekistan, I experienced the Muslim festival of Eid-al-Adha (locally known as Kurban Hayit). I was there with my Malaysian and Singaporean friends who are extroverted and love interacting with locals.
Our local host demonstrated how to prepare authentic Khiva-style plov*, and I got to slice the ingredients and mix them into the huge wok. This was definitely an experience I wouldn’t have had in an ordinary tour.
*Plov is a traditional Central Asian rice dish typically cooked with meat, carrots, onions and spices.
Ever had a trip push you completely out of your comfort zone? What happened, and how did you handle it?
During my recent trip to Azerbaijan, several things happened that pushed me out of my comfort zone.
First, I thought I had lost my bag containing my wallet, credit cards, and passport. I panicked, only to realize that it was never missing at all and was just inside our vehicle.
Second, our SUV had a flat tire. We were advised to transfer to another vehicle, but we loved our driver Farid so much that we chose to wait until the flat tire was changed and stayed with him all the way.
Finally, my flights home were canceled after Riyadh Airport in Saudi Arabia was attacked while I was in Azerbaijan. I had planned to stay one more week in Baku after the MTP expedition, but after a difficult conversation with Trip.com, where I had booked my return flight, I found a reasonably priced flight departing that evening. This changed my plans, and I decided to fly home that same night.
Do you have a travel mishap that turned into a great story later? Tell us about your oopsie!
Our car got stuck in the mud during our trip to the Seven Lakes in Tajikistan. There was a heavy downpour the night before, and we initially considered canceling our trip to the lakes and just returning to Samarkand, Uzbekistan. However, we changed our minds that morning and decided to push through with the trip.
All was going well until our driver crossed a deep, muddy road, submerging all the wheels in mud and leaving the car unable to move forward or backward. Fortunately, kind travelers along the way noticed us and offered to help. Russian travelers in a pickup truck had the necessary tools, and they rescued us and saved the day. That moment brought out the goodness in other people’s hearts and restored my faith in humanity.
LESSONS FROM THE ROAD
What’s the biggest lesson travel has taught you?
Travel has taught me that things don’t always go according to plan. I’ve learned to be more flexible and resilient, and to accept that sometimes, a travel mishap can be a redirection to something better.
What’s your top piece of advice for someone dreaming of traveling more?
Be a traveler instead of a tourist. The world is better appreciated by immersing yourself in a country’s culture, not just by collecting Instagram-worthy photos and videos.
What’s one thing you wish more people understood or appreciated about the Philippines?
I wish more people would get to know the Philippines and appreciate it for what it truly is, instead of seeing it as just another version of a different country.
COMMUNITY
How has being part of PGE enriched your travel experiences?
Thanks to PGE and our partner Most Traveled People (MTP), I had the opportunity to be part of the amazing Garabagh expedition in Azerbaijan. For the first time ever, I got to experience a convoy of 13 SUVs with a police escort, as the area we visited would not have been accessible through an ordinary paid tour or a DIY trip. This one-of-a-kind trip allowed me to travel with my PGE friends, get to know them better, and meet other international travelers.
