A 36-year-old Filipina digital nomad based in Dubai has made history as the first Filipino to travel to all 193 United Nations-recognized countries using solely a Philippine passport. Kach Medina Umandap completed her monumental journey on January 6, 2025, in Sudan, overcoming the challenges of visa restrictions associated with a low-ranked passport.
Umandap’s achievement stands out not only because of her age—accomplishing the feat in her mid-30s—but also because she relied entirely on her Philippine passport, without the advantage of dual citizenship or permanent residency. “This is proof that being Filipino is not a limitation when it comes to exploring the world,” Umandap shared.
A proud member of the Filipino World Travelers (FWT), where she has served as an ambassador since 2023, Umandap uses her platform to inspire other Filipinos to pursue global exploration despite the barriers they may face. Through her blogs Twomonkeystravelgroup.com and Filipinopassport.com, she offers practical tips and insights on how to navigate the world as a Filipino traveler.
Her journey included visits to 26 African countries in 2024, culminating in her arrival in Port Sudan this January. Notably, she became one of the first tourists to visit the region post-conflict, offering hope for the revival of Sudan’s tourism.
Her accomplishment has also drawn international recognition, including being named a finalist in the 2022 NomadMania Travel Awards for the Biggest Low Passport Index Traveler category. According to NomadMania, fewer than 500 people worldwide have achieved the feat of visiting all UN member states, making her success particularly remarkable.
“To my fellow women, Filipinos, and backpackers—yes, you can have the traveling life you want, earn money, and be successful at the same time,” Umandap emphasized, sharing her empowering message in Gala: Adventures of the Most Well-Traveled Filipinos.
Umandap will celebrate her achievement with a homecoming event in Cebu on January 13, 2025. Her inspiring journey can be followed at https://bio.site/kachumandap.
