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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Marcos honors three Filipina world travelers

Marcos honors three Filipina world travelers

Published Apr 25, 2025 09:26 am

President Marcos has honored three Filipina world travelers who had visited all 193 United Nations-member countries in the world.

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President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. meets Filipina travelers Odette Ricasa, Luisa Yu, and Kach Medina Umandap during their courtesy call in Malacañan Palace. (Photo courtesy of PCO)

Marcos met Odette Ricasa, the first Filipino to achieve the milestone, Luisa Yu and Kach Medina Umandap during their courtesy call in Malacañan Palace.

During the visit, the President and the Filipina travelers discussed their travel experiences.

Marcos said he was amazed at how dedicated the travelers are in achieving their dreams.

He even went on social media to share a bit of their conversation.

"Tinanong ko sila kung may bansang wala pang Pilipino. Ang sagot nila: wala. Sa bawat sulok ng mundo, nandoon ang Pilipino, nag-aambag, nagtatagumpay at taas-noong kinakatawan ang ating bansa (I asked them if there is country where there is no Filipino yet. Their answer was: none. In every corner of the world, there are Filipinos, contributing, succeeding, and proudly representing our country)," Marcos said in a Facebook post.

When he was informed that the three Filipinas had visited all the UN member-countries, the President told his guests that he wanted to meet them and “benefit from their experience.”

Filipinos are popular globally for their innate hospitality and empathy, he said.

“Most importantly kahit saan tayo pumunta gusto tayo (wherever we go, they end up liking us. We create nice communities. Nagtutulungan talaga (We are helping each other),” the President told the travelers.

“So, nakaka-proud naman (I feel proud). I’m sure you left a whole trail of new friends and new Filipino fans everywhere in the world,” he said.

The travelers were accompanied by Donalito “Dondon” Bales, the founder of the global community of Filipino World Travelers (FWT).

Bales gave the President his book titled, “Galà: Adventures of the Most Well-Traveled Filipinos” which was released in September 2021. It features the stories of Ricasa, Yu, Umandap, himself, and other inspiring Filipino travelers.

Related Tags

Odette Ricasa Kach Medina Umandap President Marcos Luisa Yu filipino travelers
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