A courtesy call at the Malacañang Palace (L-R) Kach Medina Umandap, Luisa Yu, Odette Ricasa, Domalito Bales, and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. | Photo courtesy of Filipino World Travelers
NEW YORK—President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. honored three exceptional Filipina world travelers who have visited all 193 United Nations member countries, a rare feat achieved by fewer than 500 people worldwide, according to NomadMania, a global organization that verifies travel milestones.
The distinguished travelers, known collectively as Filipina Travel Legends, include Odette Ricasa, 79, the first Filipino to accomplish this milestone; Luisa Yu, 80, the oldest Filipino to complete the journey; and Kach Medina Umandap, 36, the youngest Filipino to achieve the feat using only a Philippine passport. They represent different generations of Filipino travelers, yet share the same passion for exploring the world.
Ricasa and Yu are US-based Filipinos who used their US passports for their travels. In contrast, Umandap of Cebu, Philippines, completed her journey in Sudan on January 6, 2025, demonstrating her resilience in overcoming the challenges of traveling on a low-ranked passport.
During their courtesy call at Malacañang Palace, the travelers shared their experiences with President Marcos, who admired their dedication and global adventures. Donali “Dondon” Bales, the founder of the Filipino World Travelers (FWT) community, accompanied them. He presented the President with his book Galà: Adventures of the Most Well-Traveled Filipinos, which features their inspiring stories.
Umandap was elated with her visit to the Malacañang Palace, which made her day even more special. “I’m extremely happy that on the same day as our courtesy call with the President, he also signed the Executive Order for the Digital Nomad Visa. The best is yet to come.”
The Filipina Travel Legends were driven by a deep passion for exploration, cultural immersion, and personal achievement. Their love for adventure allowed them to experience the world’s most remote and challenging destinations firsthand. They wanted to understand diverse traditions, histories, and ways of life beyond mainstream tourism spots.
Traveling with a Philippine passport posed challenges, but Umandap aimed to prove that Filipinos could explore the world despite visa restrictions. Philippine passport holders have fewer visa-free travel options than passports from more powerful nations, requiring them to apply for visas for most destinations.
However, even with a US passport, they faced numerous challenges while traveling to all 193 UN member countries. Some of the difficulties they encountered include
- Traveling with a Philippine passport meant navigating complex visa requirements, with some countries having strict entry policies for their visa.
- Funding a journey to every country required careful budgeting and resourcefulness.
- Some destinations posed security risks, requiring extra precautions.
- Coordinating flights, accommodations, and transportation across diverse regions was a constant challenge.
- Communicating and adapting to different customs and traditions required patience and flexibility.
Despite these obstacles, their determination and passion for exploration helped them achieve this extraordinary feat.
Each journey tested their resilience, adaptability, and problem-solving skills. By completing their travels, they hoped to encourage fellow Filipinos to dream big and explore beyond their comfort zones. Their journey was about visiting places, embracing the world with an open heart, and proving that determination can overcome any obstacle.
Top officials celebrate the accomplishments of the Filipina Travel Legends. According to Bales, Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, and Commission on Filipinos Overseas Secretary Dante Francis Ang II were in attendance.
Following the courtesy call, the Makati Shangri-La Hotel hosted a grand homecoming party for the Filipina Travel Legends, which dignitaries and supporters, including Department of Education Secretary Sonny Angara, graced.
