Vlogger Basel Manadil a.k.a. The Hungry Syrian Wanderer is now a Filipino citizen

In his most recent vlog, Basel Manadil, a.k.a. The Hungry Syrian Wanderer, revealed the he is now a Filipino citizen.

Basel made the announcement on June 12, Independence Day, while wearing a barong for the first time.

He then showed his prized possession: his Philippine passport.

Basel Manadil wearing a barong for the first time and holding his passport / Source: The Hungry Syrian Wanderer (YouTube)

“Look at this. Filipino 'yan, mga tao. You see, kalbo ako diyan,” Basel said. “So, I have had this since 2019 and this is the first time I ever talked about it.”

He then explained why he only talked about this now.

“So, the only reason why I did not share this with anybody--well, not yet, until this moment--is because when I had this in 2019, or you know, two years ago, I wanted to have that moment for myself.

“I am considered Filipino. And my blood is Filipino plus. So, hindi negative tayo, mga tao, It's a plus.”

Basel Manadil's passport / Source: The Hungry Syrian Wanderer (YouTube)

Basel then gave a brief background of his life story and how he ended up here in the Philippines.

“I came from a well off family. So, I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth--if that's the term.

“The war started in Syria, so my family wanted to send me [to] the Philippines to study here.”

The famous vlogger then narrated how he got into vlogging.

“I started filming. Well, it's not like vlogging. I was just trying to film my surroundings and to capture the beauty of the places that I'm going to, because I sent it back to my friends and my family back in Syria, to show them how beautiful the Philippines is.”

Basel also shared that he decided to stay in the Philippines, despite being offered to go to Europe, specifically in France where his brother works as a doctor, and have a more comfortable life.

“After graduation, you know, I tried to apply job in many companies and I got denied.

“When I was offered to go to Europe, I was thinking deep. The luxury life, instant money, instant happiness, and instant job, which is Europe or Philippines, simple life, no expected money, no expected job, and just living day by day.

“I chose the Philippines, pure travel and mingling with the locals of every place I go to. This is what I chose.”

Basel said that although he didn't plan on being a vlogger, it was destined for him by God.

“So, I started documenting my life, not planning to be a vlogger, not planning to be a YouTuber.

“God gave me this path. Everything in my life changed.”

Eventually as his subscribers soared in numbers, Basel realized he wanted to do something better. So, he changed the theme of his content on YouTube.

“I just felt like instead of me focusing too much on traveling, you know, going to different areas, different places, I want to help as many people as I can.

“I can't help everybody, but just help random people that you meet.

He also revealed that the meaning of his moniker has changed for him over time.

“In the long run, I found out the real meaning of 'The Hungry Syrian Wanderer.'

“So, I'm hungry to wander more, help more people, and explore more things about the Philippines.

Basel also emphasized what people can expect from him in his upcoming vlogs.

“…to entertain you. And not only entertain you, entertainment with a purpose.”

You can watch Basel Manadil's announcement and the highlights of his stay in the Philippines so far in the video below.

For more lifestyle content, head out to GMA's Lifestyle page.

Get to know more about Basel Manadil a.k.a. The Hungry Syrian Wanderer in the gallery below.