When Drew Arellano was told his travel show Biyahe ni Drew would resume production, it took him a while to process the idea.
According to him, his immediate concern was his family.
He said at a virtual press conference last week, November 9, 2020, "Don't get me wrong. Initially, it was a hard concept to grasp because of everything, di ba?
"Parang, 'Ano ba ito? Are we going to do a swab test every time? How am I going to go home with the kids and everything?'"
But Drew also realized the value of his show, "Personally, it's not about working anymore.
"Feeling ko it's more an advocacy of just informing people how to travel during these times," he told PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) and other members of entertainment media.
"Di ba, parang, people are just, 'Paano nga ba ito? Puwede ba ito? Teka, ano iyong kailangan namin dalhin baka makapasok?'
"You know, I think these are the questions na nasa utak ng mga tao ngayon. 'Puwede ba mga bata?’ Alam mo iyon?
"So, iyon iyong nais naming malaman mula sa mga LGUs at nais din namin siyempre ma-communicate sa aming audience...
"I guess the mindset changed when we set our, I guess, limitations as a media. We shoot outdoors.
"Of course, we follow the traveling guidelines. We always wear masks, always wash our hands We do social distancing."
going back to the outside world
As far as safety is concerned, Drew revealed there will be episodes when he will be hosting from home.
He said, "We're also outsourcing stringers from faraway places na kailangan lumipad, para lang malaman din namin kung ano iyong set-up nila doon.
"Ano iyong guidelines na kailangan sundan doon. Kapag ganoon, of course, I have to work from home because I really can't fly yet."
However, Drew did visit Doña Remedios Trinidad in Bulacan for the show's first episode after a hiaturs of several months.
He admitted the shoot hadn't been "challenging at all," but it was "different."
He recalled, "Siyempre, nasa labas din kami while following the guidelines.
"At the same time, it's very exciting to share with the people what we know and what they can actually enjoy again."
He remarked that doing the show was different this time precisely because times are hard for most people.
He said, "Sinasabi nga ng ibang tao na parang, 'O, teka, baka hindi nga tayo madadali ng COVID, pero madadali tayo sa pagkawala ng pera dahil iyong ekonomiya hindi gumagalaw.'
"So I think that's also how we look at tourism now? We are traveling with a purpose, for our mental health or whatever.
"At the same time, we're also helping the LGUs with their businesses concerning tourism.
"Whenever we buy pasalubong, di ba, ito iyong mga livelihood ng maraming tao and I think it goes hand-in-hand.
"We support each other. I’m happy, you’re happy we’re buying from you. But, at the same time, traveling within the guidelines set by the LGUs."
The Kapuso talent then said that being on the move, as long as one is mindful of the pandemic and takes precaution, is not a bad thing.
He assured, "Don't get me wrong. Sometimes it's good to be on the praning side, but not to the point na you can't stretch your legs anymore.
"Not to the point na it's not good for your health anymore."
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