Flonique Guimary

Jodi Sta. Maria shares insights on the power of travel at UP Asian Institute of Tourism

Article (news)

E. Kristhoff Cagape

Push Team

<p>Jodi Sta. Maria got to share her experience with travel with tourism college students.</p><p>&quot;A few days ago, I was given the opportunity to talk about one of my life&#x27;s passions in front of the students of the UP Asian Institute of Tourism,&quot; she posted on her Instagram page.</p><p>The actress relayed that she discussed how travel can also be a source of learning. &quot;I had a wonderful time sharing how travel can change one&#x27;s perspective in life and the many lessons it quietly teaches along the way,&quot; she stated.</p><p>What made the event more special for Jodi was being able to team up with a journalist she looks up to for the talk.</p><p>&quot;The talk was moderated by one of the journalists I grew up watching and respecting, @abnerpmercado. It was such a joy meeting a kindred spirit. I even told him, &#x27;Kuya Abner, masaya ako malaman na pareho pala tayong makati ang paa.&#x27; And before we knew it, we were already talking about future trips,&quot; she said.</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-1" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DVnvxfqklFx/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A1%2C%22os%22%3A3156306.8000001907%2C%22ls%22%3A3110239.1999998093%2C%22le%22%3A3110246.3000001907%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1198" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-1" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>The Kapamilya star expressed her gratitude to Abner and the students for giving her the opportunity to share her love for travel. &quot;Thank you for this opportunity, Kuya Abner. Mabuhay ka. And to the students of UP AIT wishing you all the best. Godspeed on the journeys ahead.&quot;</p><p>In her post, Jodi also highlighted the essence of tourism. &quot;I&#x27;m truly grateful for the opportunity to share one of my life&#x27;s passions with the younger generation. Because tourism does more than bring people to places,&quot; she remarked.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2026/2/4/jodi-sta-maria-on-exploring-all-seven-continents-she-believed-she-kept-going-and-she-did-1841" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Jodi Sta Maria on exploring all seven continents: ‘She believed, she kept going, and she did’</strong></a></div><p>The actress pointed out that tourism has a big impact on economics and society. &quot;It creates livelihood. It creates opportunities. It creates hope. And when we travel with open hearts, we begin to care more about the world and the people in it,&quot; she said. &quot;We open doors not only for ourselves but for others too.&quot;</p><p>Jodi added that &quot;you never really leave a place you love.&quot;</p><p>She concluded her post: &quot;You carry a part of it with you… and leave a part of yourself there. So… handa ka na bang gumala?&quot;</p>