Around GMA

Article Inside Page

For the past seven years, Drew Arellano has been living the life most of us can only dream of.

As the host of the travel show, Biyahe ni Drew, the fun-loving dad of three gets to visit places in the Philippines and around the world.

The pandemic temporarily grounded Drew, but he's now back in action.

This time, Biyahe ni Drew aims to educate people on how to enjoy traveling while being safe during this so-called new normal.

The show is currently focusing more on domestic destinations given that overseas trips remain strict and unpredictable.

But more than that, Drew and his team want to help the country's tourism get back on its feet after months of inactivity because of the resulting lockdown.

For Drew, this is an exciting opportunity to explore other parts of the country.

Despite being around for seven years, there are still many local places yet to be visited by the Biyahe ni Drew team.

If Drew would have it his way, he would like to venture into the southern part of the Philippines to give viewers a glimpse of the life there.

“We've always wanted to feature some sectors in Mindanao na hindi masyadong finifeature ng media,” Drew told GMANetwork.com in an online chat.

Some areas in Mindanao are considered safe to visit like Davao City, Surigao del Sur, Dinagat Islands, South Cotabato, Camiguin, Siargao, and Bukidnon.

However, other parts are labeled as risk areas due to threats of civil unrest, terrorism, and kidnappings.

“I think ang dami pang puwedeng i-feature,” said Drew, pertaining to Mindanao.

“'Yon lang nagkakaroon lang kami ng limitations in terms of safety, hindi kami pinapayagan dahil baka mayroon pang giyera, things like that,” he lamented.

As for being envied for his jet-setting lifestyle, Drew has this to say.

“I travel because this is a show and it's also work. It doesn't seem like work [and] we're lucky to have work that entails traveling and showcasing the beauty of the Philippine and some parts of the world.”

He continued, “But everyone can be a traveler, everyone can be a biyahero. There are so many locations and so many ways where you can actually have a workable budget. I think it's more of being well-informed.

“You have to be open-minded, you always have to update yourself. I think 'yon yung parang nabago sa amin, Before parang 'travel, travel, travel,' then biglang, 'Uy, teka, we need to travel with a purpose already [because of the pandemic and restrictions]. So whatever purpose that maybe, dapat meron.”

Catch the all-new episode of Biyahe ni Drew featuring Ilocos Norte on Friday, November 20, at 9:15 P.M. on GMA News TV.