Filipina Travel Legends Honored at Malacañang Palace: A New Era for Filipino World Travelers

The global community of Filipino World Travelers (FWT) celebrated their 2nd Anniversary with a visit to meet President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr at the Malacañan Palace in Manila.

The courtesy call (on April 24, 2025) was attended by the Filipina Travel Legends — the first, oldest, and youngest Filipinos to achieve the rare feat of visiting all 193 United Nations member countries, an accomplishment achieved by fewer than 500 individuals worldwide:

• Odette Ricasa – the first Filipino to visit all 193 UN countries at 77 years old,
• Luisa Yu – the oldest Filipino to complete the journey at 79 years old, and
• Kach Medina Umandap – the youngest at 36, and the first to achieve the feat using solely a Philippine passport.

They were joined by Donalito Bales Jr., founder of Filipino World Travelers and author of Galà: Adventures of the Most Well-Traveled Filipinos, who presented a copy of the book to President Marcos. The 401-page anthology features the stories of Ricasa, Yu, Umandap, Bales, and other distinguished Filipino world travellers.

Joining the President in this momentous recognition were 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. Kach Umandap highlighted another historic milestone that made the 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."

Following the courtesy call, a grand homecoming party for the Filipina Travel Legends was hosted by the Makati Shangri-La Hotel, where supporters and dignitaries — including Department of Education Secretary Sonny Angara — gathered to celebrate this historic achievement.

During the weeks leading up to the courtesy call, FWT launched a series of groundbreaking initiatives to further promote Filipino excellence in global exploration:

• A photoshoot of the Filipina Travel Legends at the National Museum of the Philippines, captured by renowned travel photographer George Tapan and styled in exquisite Filipiniana couture by award-winning designer Alex Pigao.

• The launch of the original anthem "We Are Filipino World Travelers" across major music streaming platforms, followed by a song-reel contest offering a ₱25,000 cash prize. filipinoworldtravelers.com/activities/2025-fwt-song-reel-contest

• A live guesting on PTV4’s “Rise and Shine Pilipinas” morning show, featuring an exclusive interview with the Filipina Travel Legends and FWT Founder Dondon Bales.

• A vibrant FWT Party celebrating the first-ever Manila homecoming of the Filipina Travel Legends, joined by NomadMania, the global organisation that authenticates world travel milestones.

• The launch of the World Travel Milestones Verification Program, a first among Filipino travel communities, awarding Certificates of Achievement for milestones such as visiting all seven continents, the Seven Wonders of the World, and achieving various UN country counts.

• The announcement of exciting plans for the FWT Travel Gallery Museum in Dumaguete City, set to open in January 2026, which will showcase artefacts from the journeys of the Filipina Travel Legends and other trailblazing FWT members.

The tribute to the Filipina Travel Legends at Malacañang marks not just a celebration of past achievements, but the beginning of a new chapter — one that launches these endeavours with renewed impact, ensuring that the legacy of Filipino world travellers will continue to shine even brighter for generations to come.

PHOTO CREDITS: Presidential Communications Office (PCO) and Filipino World Travelers

Hey Dondon, thanks for sharing and congrats to the Filipino World Travelers! What a buzz you've built around the community both abroad and in the Philippines.

Did you ask your President how many countries he has visited? 😄