MANILA, Philippines ? After being kicked out of ?Survivor Philippines,? castaway Kiko Rustia revealed that his goal was to host an environmental TV show like GMA 7?s ?Born to be Wild.?

As if on cue, a hosting slot in that very program soon became available because mountaineer Romi Garduce had to prepare for his quest to conquer the world?s seven summits ? including mountain peaks in Australia and Antarctica.

When Garduce took a leave from ?Born to be Wild,? Rustia was promoted from guest host to become veterinarian Ferdinand Recio?s co-host.

But not before he passed the auditions.

What qualities make Rustia perfect for the task? Why not other ?Survivor? castaways? In fact, why not big winner JC Tiuseco?

Explains Joy Madrigal, program manager: ?We wanted someone who?s sincere about conservation work. We wanted a true-blue environmentalist. Kiko has participated in coastal cleanup projects.?

Rustia notes: ?It?s my passion. I don?t just love the outdoors; I live it. I?m not saying I?m better than the other castaways. They have their own talents. JC is a cool guy ... but my love for nature gave me a slight advantage.?

He says working with Garduce and Recio is ?a dream-come-true.?

?I look up to Romi and Doc Ferds as real-life heroes,? he points out. ?It?s an honor to work with them.? Although Recio and Rustia couldn?t be more different (Recio is clean-cut, while Rustia sports dreadlocks), they share a passionate love for nature.

Rustia considers his pilot episode on the remote northern Philippine island of Palaui as memorable.

?There?s a Spanish-era lighthouse that boasts a breathtaking view of the island [about four hours away from Tuguegarao, Cagayan Valley],? Rustia recalls. ?I didn?t even know this island existed.?

Their dreams

As for Recio, he counts his documentary on the 300 melon-headed whale dolphins that got stranded off the coast of Pilar town in Bataan as unforgettable.

?It?s a phenomenon,? Recio relates.

?That?s the beauty of this show,? Rusia quips. ?Each new episode is an experience.?

Recio dreams of featuring the Australian Outback and treating wild horses.

Rustia, on the other hand, hopes to explore ?mysterious? ruins like Machu Picchu in Peru, Nan Madol in Micronesia and the Moai statues of Easter Island.

?I?m partial to ancient civilizations. It must be because I look ancient,? Rustia says, only half in jest. ?A lot of people say I remind them of Jaguar, the main character in Mel Gibson?s movie ?Apocalypto.??