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Arielle Jacobs' Travel Diary in the Philippines

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<div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:959px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757400339984103.jpeg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">The author, Arielle Jacobs</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>I have been a Broadway actor and singer for nearly two decades. In that time, this beautiful life has taken me all around the world. I’ve starred in four Broadway shows (Disney’s &quot;<strong>Aladdin</strong>,&quot; &quot;<strong>In The Heights</strong>,&quot; &quot;<strong>Wicked</strong><strong></strong>,&quot; and &quot;<strong>Here Lies Love</strong>&quot;) and performed for millions of people.</p><p>I’ve performed in dozens of countries with Broadway tours and represented Disney in their worldwide &quot;<strong>Symphony</strong>&quot; concerts.</p><p>Getting to meet the wonderful people of each country and learning about their rich cultures is one of the great gifts of my career. But I have never before had the opportunity to visit the land of my ancestors, the <strong>Philippines</strong>. </p><p>When I was acting in my first professional show, starring in Disney’s touring production of “<strong>High School Musical</strong>,” an interviewer asked me if I considered myself “Hapa”. I didn’t know what it meant. I knew that I was half-Filipino, and half-Jewish (white American), but I had simply never heard that word.</p><p>Growing up near my Lolo and Lola in Salinas, California, singing at their local Filipino Community Center, eating the Filipino food at their house, I always wondered what their lives were like growing up. What was it like for them back when they grew up in Pangasinan? </p><p>What was it like for my mom when she lived in Baguio? </p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757400971268METRO arielle jacobs travel diary1.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Onboard a nonstop flight from New York City to Manila on Philippine Airlines</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757401012127METRO arielle jacobs travel diary2.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Happy to finally be in Manila, and we realize our airplane looks like she’s smiling along with us!</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757401265867METRO arielle jacobs travel diary3.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Checked into the beautiful Shangri-La hotel in Makati</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757401289787METRO arielle jacobs travel diary4.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Drinking our first <em>buko</em> juice (fresh coconut) in the Philippines<br/><br/></span></span></span></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757401332767METRO arielle jacobs travel diary5.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Got a tour of the Samsung Performing Arts Theater, where &quot;Into the Woods&quot; was staged</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>I have always prayed that, one day, performing would bring me to the land of my ancestors, the Philippines. Now, finally, this prayer was granted: the chance to visit the homeland of my family and experience it for myself. <strong>Theater Group Asia</strong> invited me to travel from Broadway to Manila and to perform in the Philippines for the first time. So I, with my husband <strong>J.J.</strong>, decided to pack our bags and take on the adventure of a lifetime: two weeks of exploring the Philippines before rehearsals began.</p><p>We flew from New York City to Manila on a 17-hour nonstop flight. When we arrived, Manila was full of life. The temperature, hot, and the air, humid. </p><p>The streets were crowded for so early in the morning, with motorcycle riders weaving fearlessly between stand-still traffic, and colorful jeepneys packed with commuters in the back.</p><p>We spent one day in Manila, and I finally got to see the beautiful <strong>Samsung Performing Arts Theater</strong>,<strong></strong> where I performed in my dream musical, “<strong>Into the Woods</strong>” as <strong>Cinderella</strong>, opposite my dear friend and artistic hero, <strong>Lea Salonga</strong> as <strong>The Witch</strong>. </p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757401394628METRO arielle jacobs travel diary6.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Short flight in a tiny plane to El Nido, Palawan<br/><br/></span></span></span></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757402815095arielle jacobs travel diary 1.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span aria-label="To enrich screen reader interactions, please activate Accessibility in Grammarly extension settings" class="fr-inner" spellcheck="false">(Background photo and top row) We braved the famous El Nido zipline from one island to another. It’s the longest zipline I’ve ever seen. | (Middle) El Nido town center is so cute and artistic, with lots of murals and sculptures. | (Bottom row) The gorgeous view from our room at the H Hotel in El Nido; our hotel has an incredible vegan restaurant called Ver De, where we ate every single day of our trip.  <br/><br/></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757403780333METRO arielle jacobs travel diary17.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Here, we were about to embark on our 3-day, 4-night multi-island expedition tour, with Big Dream Boatman, from El Nido to Coron.</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757404473124arielle jacobs travel diary 2.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" spellcheck="false">(Background photo) Rain doesn’t dampen the joy! Eventually, the sun came out and we were treated to a gorgeous view of Barselisa Island. | (Top row) On the tip of a boat while sailing to Coron Island; J.J. and I wore our palm tree hats in the rain; Reynald, our boatman, cut down a giant branch from a coconut palm tree and showed me how to turn it into a hat. | (Middle) Lacalaca Island | (Bottom row) Glamping and breakfast on Calibangbongan Island</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757405204162arielle jacobs travel diary 3.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span aria-label="To enrich screen reader interactions, please activate Accessibility in Grammarly extension settings" class="fr-inner" spellcheck="false">(Background photo) Calibangbongan Island | (Top row) Banana Island; with our new friends from the Big Dream Boatman tour at Ditaytayan Island; selfie while sailing past Calibangbongan Island | (Middle) Becoming a Beach Angel, with wings of Palm Leaves on Ditaytayan Island (Photo credit: Warren Camitan) | (Bottom row) Sailing past Calibangbongan Island on a cold, rainy day; Araw Beach</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757406195039arielle jacobs travel diary 4.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span aria-label="To enrich screen reader interactions, please activate Accessibility in Grammarly extension settings" class="fr-inner" spellcheck="false">(Background photo) Calis Point, Coron | (Top row) I found the perfect rock to live out my Disney Princess mermaid dreams; we found a hidden beach at Calis Point, Coron; Dibatuc Island | (Middle) Paddle boarding at Calis Point, Coron | (Bottom row) Enjoying the view and <em>karaoke</em> on Banana Island </span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757406388915METRO arielle jacobs travel diary69.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Sunset at  Linapacan Tourist Camp</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757406414437METRO arielle jacobs travel diary70.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">The Boatmen did an incredible fire show on Banana Island</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757406434756METRO arielle jacobs travel diary71.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Final day with our friends at Big Dream Boatman</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>From there, we flew to El Nido in Palawan, and our two weeks of adventuring “pre-rehearsal” began. </p><p>We ziplined across the ocean.</p><p>We paddleboarded around the cliffs of Coron in Palawan, while singing to the mountains. </p><p>We played beach volleyball in the rain with fellow travelers. </p><p>We sang <em>karaoke</em>.</p><p>We slept on remote beaches, in a <em>nipa</em> hut, with no electricity or hot water, for several nights. </p><p>We learned how to weave the leaves of a coconut palm tree into a hat.</p><p>We tried new dishes and flavors that made my eyes widen in wonder.</p><p>We went freediving with millions of tiny sardines.</p><p>We snorkeled with giant sea turtles.</p><p>We rode ATVs along the backroads and trails in the province of Cebu.</p><p>We went canyoneering and chased countless majestic waterfalls.</p><p>We swam with whale sharks, the breathtakingly magnificent gentle giants of the sea.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757406513237METRO arielle jacobs travel diary73.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Arriving in Cebu</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757406864118arielle jacobs travel diary 5.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" spellcheck="false">(Background photo) Free Diving at the Sardine Run in Moalboal, Cebu island | (Top row) Swimming with Sea Turtles at Pangasama Beach, in Moalboal; Mantayupan Falls. | (Middle and bottom row) Inambakan Falls feels like a fairy tale</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>But more than this, we were greeted with the warmth of so many smiling faces. Arriving in the Philippines has been a lesson in humility, connection, warmth, and honor. The people we’ve encountered so far are joyful, patient, and warm. They are creative, strong, and capable. They are loud and unapologetic with their laughter, with their humor, and in their praise. They believe in the power of community, collaboration, and interpersonal respect.</p><p>I’ve been in the Philippines for only a short time so far, and have only seen a small portion of the land of my ancestors.</p><p>I know there is still so much to see and learn about this world where my family emigrated from.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757407362293arielle jacobs travel diary 6.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">(Background photo) Our first experience canyoneering! | (Top row) The entrance to the trail that leads to Dao Falls; J.J. and I were halfway through canyoneering, with a guide, toward Dao Falls—the water here is naturally bluer from the limestone rock; we made it to the majestic Dao Falls. It’s glorious. (Middle) This dog hiked with us and was a wonderful guide and friend! (Bottom row) Learning how to ride an ATV for the first time in Barili, Cebu; Shaka cafe, a vegan health spot in Moalboal</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757407888643METRO arielle jacobs travel diary97.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Shaka cafe</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757408229365arielle jacobs travel diary 7.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" spellcheck="false">(Background photo) Sunset from Cebu Island | (Top row) Beautiful sunset; riding a tricycle became our normal way around town; dozens of people here want a photo with J.J.! because they think he looks exactly like Nicholas Cage. | (Middle) Whale sharks are famous in Oslob. | (Bottom row) Floating in the waters of my homeland; Sumilon Island Sandbar in Oslob<br/><br/></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757408408246METRO arielle jacobs travel diary106.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span aria-label="To enrich screen reader interactions, please activate Accessibility in Grammarly extension settings" class="fr-inner" spellcheck="false">Short flight back to Manila<br/><br/></span></span></span></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757408435806METRO arielle jacobs travel diary107.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" spellcheck="false">We actually ran into Michele Josue, Emmy-award winning Filipino filmmaker and director of the documentary &quot;Nurse Unseen,&quot; at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport! She and I met last year, when I sang at the White House for Filipino-American history month.</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757408508908METRO arielle jacobs travel diary108.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Finally back in Manila. Mary Grace restaurant is so delicious and cute!<br/><br/></span></span></span></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757408529986METRO arielle jacobs travel diary109.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Still beaming from our first adventure around the Philippines!</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>My Mother returned to the Philippines from the U.S.A. to see the final performance of &quot;Into the Woods,&quot; and then we plan to visit the town where she lived as a child and continue to explore the Philippines. I’m very excited for that! </p><p>What a blessed time and a rare gift. I am so grateful for this chance. </p>

<p>Join me in my photo journal as I, Arielle Jacobs, experience the Philippines for the first time through my trips around Manila, Palawan, and Cebu.</p>

Join me in my photo journal as I, Arielle Jacobs, experience the Philippines for the first time through my trips around Manila, Palawan, and Cebu.

Photo Diary: Fil-Am Broadway Star Arielle Jacobs' First Adventure in the Philippines

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Photo Diary: Fil-Am Broadway Star Arielle Jacobs' First Adventure in the Philippines

Arielle Jacobs

Published Sep 09, 2025 05:15 PM PHT

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Updated Sep 09, 2025 05:16 PM PHT

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