Pepe Diokno reveals that he travels for inspiration

Pepe Diokno and Jessica Zafra star in new travel show Trippies

Pepe Diokno and Jessica Zafra in Cappadocia, Turkey

Award-winning filmmaker Pepe Diokno and acclaimed writer Jessica Zafra bring you a view of the world through a cultural lens with their latest travel show Trippies. The show explores destinations beyond the surface of scenic Instagram posts and digs deeper into the roots of foreign terrain. Also setting apart itself from other travel shows, Trippies features only international destinations.

Trippies is an insightful show that aims to expand the viewer’s worldview even more, ignite yearning to travel, and widen knowledge through travel in finding out something new on familiar places and exploring uncharted territories. It also keeps an eye on how locals move and go about their day which adds a layer of appreciation, especially for cultural travelers. With Diokno’s adept directing, Trippies viewers will be treated to a very cinematic feel of each destination.


A frequent traveler, Pepe Diokno reveals that he travels for inspiration. He believes that traveling is about more than seeing the sights. It is about meeting people and living like the locals do. “In the process of discovering more about the world, we actually discover more about ourselves,” he remarked.

As the show’s director, Diokno, with his small, indie team, had gone through a lot of challenges. These include having barebones gear, a whirlwind schedule and working with embassies to make the shows happen. “They help us so much in terms of logistics, but on the other hand, it's a challenge to go beyond their government-approved guidebooks. So, we're constantly searching for balance. The best part of the show though is the company — our small crew has become friends.”

For award-winning writer Jessica Zafra, traveling triggers her ideas to create fiction. Zafra says she likes going to museums to understand the country’s history and culture. In fact in Trippies, she often gets up close and personal with the locals in a bid to know the culture of a country.

“What I like about Trippies is that it’s a travel show that delves under the surface. It is spontaneous and entirely unscripted. What viewers can expect from this show is that there is serious conversation. I wish travelers would notice how much time they spend taking selfies and feeding their social media that they forget to experience the place,” says Jessica.

Produced by PhilStarTV, Trippies is its first travel show and airs every Sunday at 7:30 p.m. on CNN Philippines. It has replays on Tuesdays at 1:30 p.m., Thursdays at 12:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 11:00 a.m., on CNN Philippines. Past episodes will also be uploaded on philstartv.com. For more updates and information, like its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/PhilStarTrippies.