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)
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday expressed immense pride in three exceptional Filipinos who achieved the rare milestone of visiting all 193 member countries of the United Nations.
During a ceremony at Malacañan Palace in Manila, Marcos met with Odette Ricasa, Luisa Yu, and Kach Medina Umandap to celebrate their extraordinary accomplishment—one achieved by fewer than 500 people worldwide.
Odette Ricasa holds the distinction of being the first Filipino to complete the journey. At 79, Luisa Yu is the oldest to reach the milestone, while Kach Medina Umandap is the youngest and the first to do so using only a Philippine passport.
President Marcos said he was eager to meet the trio to “benefit from their experience,” commending their determination and commitment to fulfilling their dreams.
“I feel so proud. I’m sure you’ve left a trail of new friends and Filipino admirers all over the world,” he said, as quoted by the Presidential Communications Office.
He also praised the global reputation of Filipinos for their warmth, empathy, and community spirit.
“Wherever we go, we are welcomed. We build beautiful communities. We help one another,” the President remarked during the meeting.
Joining the travelers was Donalito Bales, founder of the global Filipino World Travelers community. During the courtesy call, Bales presented Marcos with a copy of his book, Galà: Adventures of the Most Well-Traveled Filipinos, which was released in September 2021.
The book features the inspiring journeys of Ricasa, Yu, Umandap, and other adventurous Filipinos who have explored the world and shared their stories along the way.