For ten years now, Drew Arellano has been working the job of a lifetime as a “professional traveler.”
Thanks to the weekly travel documentary program Biyahe ni Drew, which has been giving him the opportunity to visit various places here and abroad.
“It’s such a joy, really,” Drew told PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) during the Go Bear PH event held at the 7107 Culture + Cuisine Restaurant in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, on February 20.
“I’m so lucky to be here, you know, traveling, featuring different parts of the country—beautiful parts of the country—is just wow!
"Such a privilege sharing it to fellow Filipinos and other foreigners...”
His work has already taken him to Israel.
The raging waters of Kawarau River in New Zealand
The breathtaking mountain peak of Mount Kinabalu in Kota Kinalabu, Malaysia
And the far-off villages of Zimbabwe, Africa.
No doubt about it, everyone would love to have a job like Drew’s.
But did you know that he almost said no when it was first offered to him?
Drew confessed, “Initially, I didn’t want the job. I was working for Unang Hirit, the morning show, every single day.
“You got Monday to Friday, and then I had another show that I had to tape within that week.
"I had other businesses and then the travel show, they wanted to tape Saturday to Sunday.”
For Drew, family is the top priority, and if the job would mean losing quality time with them, he would think twice.
“Of course, you know, parang hindi pumasok sa isipan ko na parang, ‘It’s a travel show, it’s all about having fun and, you know, going to different, really beautiful places in the country and around the world.’
“I just thought na Sunday is a family day.”
But compromises were made, taping schedule was changed to Friday and Saturdays, and that began Drew’s series of travels.
“It gave me the privilege—the luxury actually—to travel aboard or travel within the country.
“I’m so lucky to be here!”