Aired (March 24, 2024): Join Biyahero Drew as he experiences the mystical allure and healing beauty of Siquijor.
‘Biyahe ni Drew’ is a popular travel show in the Philippines that takes its viewers on a budget-friendly adventure every week. Travel hacks, bucket list ideas, and tipid tips for local and international destinations? Biyahero Drew got you covered!
Watch it every Sunday, 8:15 PM on GMA. Subscribe to youtube.com/gmapublicaffairs for our full episodes. #BiyaheNiDrew #BND10thAnniversary #BNDBatangas
‘Biyahe ni Drew’ is a popular travel show in the Philippines that takes its viewers on a budget-friendly adventure every week. Travel hacks, bucket list ideas, and tipid tips for local and international destinations? Biyahero Drew got you covered!
Watch it every Sunday, 8:15 PM on GMA. Subscribe to youtube.com/gmapublicaffairs for our full episodes. #BiyaheNiDrew #BND10thAnniversary #BNDBatangas
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TravelTranscript
00:00 [music]
00:04 This little island is known for its fairy tales.
00:07 But it seems like the stories are added to it
00:11 to be told by people.
00:13 For them to be the ones to open the mystery.
00:17 In other words, the healing island of Central Visayas.
00:25 Come on, and let's experience the magic on Siquijor Island.
00:30 There's a lot of reasons why this place is so magical.
00:39 The blue water, and the palm trees.
00:43 Anyone can be mesmerized by the beauty of Paliton Beach.
00:50 And for those who came here to have aesthetic photos,
00:53 you won't be disappointed.
00:55 We have someone who will help you level up your videos.
00:59 The human drone.
01:02 Just like the human drone that was popular in Siargao.
01:05 But the difference here is that
01:06 the drone shots are made while you're out on the swing.
01:10 How much tip are you getting?
01:12 Here on the swing, we're already per head.
01:15 Per head?
01:16 Okay, how much is that?
01:17 50.
01:18 50 per head?
01:19 Yes.
01:20 When did you learn this system?
01:22 Almost two years ago.
01:24 Two years.
01:25 You're here everyday?
01:26 Yes, everyday.
01:27 Okay, I'll try to be a human drone.
01:29 Just follow brother Louie's guidelines.
01:32 Don't worry, I got this.
01:34 Alright, Pijeros. Results in 3, 2, 1.
01:53 Sorry, it's my first time.
01:54 In Lazzy's house,
02:01 the human drones are on a trip to Cambugahay Falls.
02:05 While the tourists are riding on the waves,
02:07 they're taking drone shots while swimming in the fog.
02:12 Yay! Boy, cellphone is real.
02:14 I feel like I'm seeing a different human drone.
02:18 Because the human drone that we featured in Siargao
02:21 is used to fly, and stuff like that.
02:25 But this one has a swing.
02:28 Yes, swing.
02:29 So how do you use it?
02:32 Just one hand.
02:33 One hand?
02:34 Yes, like that.
02:35 You just do this?
02:36 Hold the phone.
02:38 You just have to hold it tight.
02:40 Hold your hand tight too because...
02:42 Because this one is tight, this one is not.
02:45 You'll fall.
02:46 You just have to be careful because the human drone is a living thing.
02:50 You're a living thing.
02:51 If you fall, you'll be the one paying for the cellphone.
02:54 That's right.
02:55 Never back down, never... what?
02:59 Of course, I'll try that too, Bjergos.
03:01 I'm not the main character.
03:05 Sorry, girls.
03:06 Take two, Bjergos.
03:08 It looks like being a human drone is not for me.
03:12 I'll just take a bath.
03:20 Usually, in falls, you have to trek for a long time.
03:24 But in Kambugahe Falls, it's just a side road.
03:27 There's a cemented path going down and just a few kilometers.
03:31 You can enjoy and jump on their jump.
03:34 It's a multi-tiered waterfall.
03:36 Each waterfall has... you've got your swing.
03:42 Tourists use it to jump off towards the fall or towards the pool.
03:48 And at the same time, they use their hair guys to do their human drone.
03:53 I tried what they do, using the swing.
03:56 My initial worry was, yeah, I could just head back out.
03:59 I can swing out.
04:00 But the return, will I reach there safely?
04:04 Apparently, you can just swing back safely and land safely as well.
04:15 Not only can you experience new adventures here in Sighihor,
04:18 you can also taste new flavors.
04:20 From the classic Ube Cheese, there's a new flavor of ice cream here.
04:25 Bjergos, there's also charcoal ice cream here in Sighihor.
04:29 You know that? It's amazing.
04:30 Elton is 19 years old.
04:32 He's one of the people who sells charcoal ice cream on the island.
04:35 When you say charcoal, how do you cook the charcoal ice cream?
04:39 That's activated charcoal.
04:41 Activity charcoal?
04:42 Yes, activated charcoal.
04:44 Activated charcoal?
04:45 There's avocado, nara, coconut shell, eucalyptus, and mangosteen.
04:51 Bjergos, activated charcoal is different from the charcoal we know that's used for grilling.
04:57 Of course, I'm going to taste the charcoal now.
05:01 Can I try it?
05:02 Yes, you can.
05:03 What does charcoal taste like?
05:05 It looks like chocolate.
05:13 Actually, it doesn't look like charcoal. It's like dark Ube.
05:16 Yes, it is.
05:18 Aside from the blackness, it's sweet.
05:29 Yes.
05:30 And it's delicious, by the way.
05:33 Is that the small one?
05:35 Yes, that's charcoal.
05:36 That's charcoal.
05:37 Yes, that's it.
05:39 Does it have health benefits?
05:40 Yes, it does.
05:41 What are the health benefits?
05:42 They say that it can get you UTI.
05:47 I'll get UTI?
05:48 No, it can get you UTI.
05:50 Oh, so you'll get UTI?
05:53 Yes, UTI.
05:55 It can get rid of...
05:56 UTI.
05:57 Oh, UTI.
05:58 Some scientific studies say that activated charcoal can help with kidney or kidney disease.
06:05 But according to the World Health Organization,
06:07 activated charcoal is more used for the emergency treatment of overdose and poisoning.
06:12 I heard it's for whitening teeth.
06:14 It's for whitening teeth?
06:16 Yes, maybe.
06:17 It's for whitening teeth.
06:18 Oh, I don't think so.
06:19 It's for whitening teeth?
06:22 Yes, it's for whitening teeth.
06:23 Because Elton is still studying, his family became his body in the business.
06:32 His father usually makes ice cream.
06:34 And sometimes, his brother makes it.
06:37 To make charcoal ice cream,
06:39 he mixes cassava flour and coconut milk.
06:42 And he leaves it to rise in a container with ice.
06:46 They use skim milk for flavoring.
06:49 They use green and violet food color so that the color won't be too dark.
06:55 He also mixes it with sugar.
06:57 Lastly, the special ingredient, activated charcoal.
07:03 They mix it one by one until it gets the right texture.
07:06 He puts ice around the container.
07:09 And sea salt that helps to make the ice cream hard quickly.
07:13 He leaves it for 1 to 2 hours to harden.
07:18 Elton usually puts it at the entrance of Cambugahay Falls.
07:24 And they sell their ice cream for 30 pesos each.
07:28 Can I try my two favorite flavors in the whole wide world?
07:32 Yes, you can.
07:33 Avocado and Ube.
07:36 Yes, Ube.
07:37 Really?
07:37 Oh my God!
07:38 I call this Joker Ice Cream because this is the color of Joker.
07:42 He's a winner.
07:46 He's a winner.
07:47 At the end of the day,
07:49 it's a pleasure to watch the sunset on Siquijor Island.
07:52 For adventurers,
07:54 you can join the sunset diving in what they call Sunset Diving in their own way.
08:00 But you know what?
08:01 Even if the sun sets and the sun rises,
08:03 the culture and tradition of their special way of medication is still there.
08:09 Siquijor Island is also home to several generations of people who are here to get cured.
08:14 We met Nanay Juanita,
08:17 who is one of the famous families of people who are here to get cured.
08:21 Even though they are far from the town,
08:23 locals and tourists recommended them for their healing massage and famous Tuob or steam inhalation.
08:30 According to them,
08:32 it can remove diseases and germs.
08:34 This is different from the Tuob or Suob we know.
08:37 Travelers, instead of putting it on the face facing the smoke,
08:40 they put it under the seat.
08:42 Before, Tuob was done inside the house of the patients.
08:47 But because the people who are getting cured lost their privacy,
08:50 they changed it.
08:51 Now, they have a separate "balay pahauli" or healing huts
08:55 to make the treatment hygienic for the visitors.
08:58 In the healing huts, we built two rooms.
09:02 One is for Tuob and the other room is for the massage or the heal on.
09:07 And we also provided a full functioning comfort room.
09:10 Aside from that, we also trained the community members on safety and sanitation.
09:17 Before joining Tuob,
09:18 you should test if your heart is okay when you try Tuob.
09:22 This is to take away bad spirit.
09:27 This is for the smoke.
09:30 Smoke.
09:31 My husband said that sometimes I feel like I have a bad spirit.
09:35 He sent me here to Siquijor.
09:39 Is it like that?
09:41 Yes.
09:42 This is a "sumpak".
09:44 This is made from wood from the mountains and the sea.
09:51 We collect it on the 7th of Friday before the Holy Friday.
09:55 The most difficult part of Tuob is putting the ash in the "baga".
10:00 This is what I do.
10:02 What is it for?
10:03 To take away the bad spirit.
10:07 The bad spirits.
10:08 Yes.
10:09 And to take away the bad feelings in our bodies.
10:13 Yes.
10:14 How long does it take for your patients to sit here?
10:18 It depends on the smoke.
10:21 Three minutes after Tuob started,
10:25 the smoke was gone.
10:26 So I joined the healing massage.
10:28 It's okay.
10:31 It's okay?
10:32 Okay.
10:32 Thank you, Ma'am.
10:34 There.
10:36 So this is the lapel.
10:41 Nanay Juanita did not pay for it.
10:43 She just donated whatever is comfortable for you.
10:46 So,
10:49 it was our first time experiencing that.
10:54 You sit and there's smoke coming from below.
10:59 At first, I had a hard time breathing.
11:02 Because of the smoke.
11:03 While I was breathing,
11:05 I had a little problem.
11:07 I didn't know if I should inhale the smoke or not.
11:10 But anyway, it's a good thing that she donated my body.
11:14 I felt a little hot,
11:17 but not that uncomfortable.
11:20 So, comfortable enough to actually have a conversation with her.
11:25 I'm really different when it comes to massaging.
11:32 I mean, it's still very therapeutic.
11:35 And, you know, it feels good.
11:39 So, you get whatever you can get from your experience.
11:43 So at least, this is a different experience
11:46 if you pass this side of CKR.
11:50 Nanay Juanita is with her husband, Noel, in the medical field.
11:56 But Noel's other fight against the diseases
11:59 is his weapon, plants.
12:01 Behind their house,
12:02 you can find the plant she uses for her medicine.
12:07 Plants in the tree of Balete are very useful.
12:10 In fact, it can be used as a medicine for the fungus.
12:13 The skin of the plant is good for the fungus.
12:17 You should do this to the fungus
12:19 so that it can be treated.
12:21 Noel says that there are only a few days in a year
12:24 when he collects plants.
12:27 It should be done last week, when it's really possible.
12:30 That's the processing here in CKR.
12:32 That's the real medicine here in CKR.
12:36 You should really process it on Friday.
12:39 After the ingredients, you should cook everything.
12:42 If it's Black Saturday, you should really cook.
12:45 If they are really doing remedies,
12:48 like the medicinal plants,
12:51 after three days of doing this
12:53 and nothing happens to their body,
12:55 they should really go to the nearest hospital
12:58 or seek help from our doctors.
13:01 On the island, not only is there faith healing,
13:03 you can also experience the healing power of nature.
13:06 Just like in another new destination in CKR,
13:09 in the town of Lazi,
13:10 Lagaan Falls.
13:12 It's quieter and less people here
13:15 compared to other tourist spots on the island.
13:17 And what they have introduced to tourists is the rock slide
13:21 and the dipping area, which is a natural jacuzzi.
13:24 The water inside the cave is warmer.
13:27 At first, it was just a bath.
13:30 But now, we're not ashamed to go up to the tourists
13:33 because of what we've done to develop this place.
13:36 The residents nearby helped each other
13:39 to make this place a better place.
13:41 Before you can get here,
13:43 there's a 10-15 minute trek from the jump-off point.
13:46 And for P50, you can do an unli-swing,
13:49 slide, and swim in Lagaan Falls.
13:52 Because of the beauty of the island,
13:55 the tourists fall in love here.
13:58 We had a bit of a hidden gem of the Philippines.
14:00 It was super warm, super clear, really nice.
14:03 And it's not just the island that made them fall in love,
14:06 but the locals here.
14:07 The "Bangka" Restaurant,
14:09 owned by a Filipino named Camela
14:11 and an Australian national named Jared Wright.
14:15 The two became friends because of the "Bangka".
14:19 I retired early because I was in telecommunications in Australia.
14:24 I thought it was more important to enjoy life
14:26 than wait until I'm 65 and retire.
14:29 I'm 70 in Australia now,
14:31 but I think it's more important to enjoy life while we're younger.
14:35 From his savings,
14:37 Jared bought his long-time dream yacht
14:40 and sailed from Australia to Indonesia,
14:42 Malaysia, Thailand, and even to the Philippines.
14:46 He didn't think that his vacation here in the Philippines
14:50 would lead him to love.
14:53 I was actually sailing through Sikiyo about 6 years ago.
14:57 And then I met an Australian guy here.
15:00 My best friend was his girlfriend.
15:03 And then she goes, "I've got a perfect girl for you to meet."
15:06 And then maybe 2 days later, I sailed to Dumaguete,
15:10 and I met Camela there.
15:12 Camela worked as a chef in Dumaguete.
15:15 And when she met Jared Wright,
15:17 she wanted to meet Mr. Wright.
15:21 He's a really nice guy.
15:23 He's very sincere, very gentleman.
15:26 When they became a couple,
15:29 they went abroad together.
15:32 He didn't make a big adjustment
15:35 because he made it really easy for me.
15:38 He's easy to be with.
15:40 Jared and Camela's love story became a smooth sailing.
15:44 And after 3 years, they got married.
15:47 And I married her twice.
15:49 I married her in the Philippines,
15:52 and when we went to Australia,
15:53 we got married again in Australia.
15:55 Even though they have their own resort,
15:58 they still sail together.
16:00 Still no house.
16:01 The original plan is to build a house.
16:05 But we do have 4 bedrooms, 4 toilets, 4 showers on the boat.
16:09 So we're not struggling too much.
16:12 And we've been living on it for years and years.
16:15 So it's home to us anyhow.
16:17 They're with their children and fur baby, Jaka,
16:20 in Siquijor where their family is anchored.
16:23 We love this place and it's a little paradise.
16:27 It's nice and quiet.
16:28 Siquijor is one of the greatest islands that we've been to in the Philippines.
16:33 They can now go around the whole island of Siquijor
16:39 by a van within 2 hours.
16:41 But they say the best way to go around here is by motorbike.
16:45 While traveling, you'll notice that they're very fond of Siniguelas.
16:50 In fact, they also use this in their traditional recipe
16:54 that they call "pinakaw".
16:56 And what they mix here is the skin of the tree.
17:00 I just experienced this.
17:01 We've had a lot of sour food features.
17:04 Of course, there's the "sampalok",
17:05 there's the calamansi,
17:08 there's the "batuan".
17:10 Batuan.
17:11 And this is the "singkamas".
17:15 Siniguelas.
17:16 No, no, no.
17:17 Siniguelas.
17:18 Siniguelas is also sour.
17:20 Siniguelas, even if it's not the fruit,
17:24 this is what they use.
17:25 Yes, this is the bark.
17:26 The bark itself.
17:27 Yes, because the bark has a sour taste
17:30 and it also has a bitter taste.
17:33 You need to remove the skin of the branch using a knife.
17:38 Once you see the inside of the branch,
17:41 you can use a spoon to remove it.
17:43 How do you do it?
17:44 By using a spoon?
17:45 So, by using a spoon,
17:46 you just hold it like this.
17:48 We'll mix it here so it's easier to mix.
17:51 Just like this.
17:52 You just put it in the middle and then you do this.
17:55 You just squeeze it like this
17:57 until you have enough to make a "saplod".
18:03 I'm ready.
18:04 Can I try it?
18:05 Go ahead.
18:06 They say that the real "bihayro" always has a big spoon.
18:12 They'll eat the soft part of the branch.
18:16 That's it.
18:17 And then on the other side, later.
18:19 It fell.
18:21 Why did I do that?
18:29 I haven't tasted it yet.
18:32 I haven't really concentrated yet.
18:36 Before using it in binakaw,
18:37 put the "saplod" of salt and water.
18:40 Then squeeze it.
18:42 Let the broth pass through the "sapal"
18:45 so it's more salty and tasty.
18:47 In another container,
18:48 mix the fish with other ingredients.
18:50 And let the broth pass through the "sapal"
18:52 for the last time.
18:54 And lastly,
18:58 squeeze the calamansi before mixing it.
19:01 Mmm.
19:05 It's like...
19:06 it's yellow.
19:07 Yes, it's yellow.
19:08 The fish is still fresh.
19:10 Yes, it's still fresh.
19:11 So it doesn't have a fishy smell.
19:13 It's yellow because it has citrus.
19:20 It gives it a sour taste.
19:23 But it's not vinegar.
19:25 So I don't know if it's milder.
19:29 For me, it's my first time.
19:30 So it's not a strong type of ingredient or flavor
19:35 that will really make it taste good.
19:38 So to the naked tongue,
19:41 for me,
19:43 it's like I just ate a fish roe.
19:48 In the beaches of Siquijor,
19:51 it's easy to find people selling fresh sea urchin.
19:54 Let's try the...
19:56 We call it "runi", right?
19:57 Yes.
19:58 But here, we call it...
19:59 "Waki".
20:00 "Waki".
20:01 Sea urchin.
20:02 Sea urchin.
20:03 If you're happy,
20:04 "Waki".
20:05 "Waki".
20:06 Yes.
20:07 But before we eat a little of this,
20:09 we need to make it hard.
20:10 Just stretch it.
20:11 There.
20:12 Sorry, my hands are not that thick.
20:17 There.
20:21 Hold it.
20:22 I'll hold your hands.
20:23 There.
20:25 There.
20:26 There.
20:34 Because locals love salwaki,
20:36 you can buy it in the market of bottles full of salwaki.
20:41 There's also "tuyom",
20:42 which is a different type of sea urchin
20:44 that has a whole sea urchin.
20:46 Hey, are you two fighting already?
20:49 Siquijor is in the midst of changing times.
20:54 But their culture and tradition continues to be embraced.
20:58 Wherever you go,
21:00 you'll find happiness,
21:02 joy,
21:03 and joy
21:04 that you can only enjoy here.
21:06 And that's the magic of their island.
21:10 [MUSIC PLAYING]
21:13 you