WORLD TRAVELERS. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. welcomes three extraordinary Filipino world travelers at Malacañan Palace in Manila on Thursday (April 24, 2025). Marcos honored travelers Odette Ricasa, Luisa Yu, and Kach Medina Umandap for their accomplishment of visiting all 193 United Nations member-states. (Photo from the Presidential Photojournalists Association)
In a world where travel often highlights a thirst for adventure and cultural connections, three exceptional Filipinas have made history by visiting all 193 United Nations member countries.
Odette Ricasa, Luisa Yu, and Kach Medina Umandap have accomplished a feat achieved by fewer than 500 individuals worldwide, symbolizing their successes and Filipino resilience.
On Thursday, Donalito “Dondon” Bales, the founder of the global Filipino World Travelers (FWT) community, accompanied the trio for a courtesy call on President Ferdinad R. Marcos Jr. at Malacañan Palace.
The President honored the travelers, saying he wanted to meet them and “benefit from their experience.”
Said the President: “Kahit saan tayo pumunta, gusto tayo. We create nice communities. Nagtutulungan talaga. Nakaka-proud naman. I’m sure you left a whole trail of new friends and new Filipino fans everywhere in the world.”
The room buzzed with stories that crossed borders, capturing the essence of being Filipino in a global landscape.
The sentiment resonated deeply with President Marcos, who recognized the unique qualities of Filipinos and their role in the world.
Presenting the President with his book “Galà: Adventures of the Most Well-Traveled Filipinos,” Bales highlighted the inspiring stories of these travelers and the power of shared experiences.
The meeting served “as a recognition” of the travelers’ achievements and a rallying call to embrace travel as a vehicle for understanding and connection.
It reminded Filipinos that beyond borders lie numerous stories waiting to be discovered and friendships yearning to be forged.
The trio left the Palace not just with honors but also with a renewed sense of purpose. Indeed, they are not merely travelers but pioneers who inspire others to dream bigger and explore further.
Every stamp on their passports reminds the world of the warmth, resilience, and passion that define the Filipino spirit—an essence that travels far beyond the physical journey.
In the fabric of global travelers, the threads woven by Odette, Luisa, and Kach stand as a testament to the spirit of adventure and the unbreakable community bonds, one destination at a time. | PIA
