Kach Umandap made history as the youngest and first Filipina to travel to all 195 United Nations-recognized countries using solely a Philippine passport at the age of 36.

“12 years. I quit my job. April 30th, I started backpacking May 8, 2013, and I finished January 6, 2025. And I’m still going to travel, but with a mission, too,” Kach revealed in an interview on Zoom In with Menchu Macapagal.

Her remarkable achievement places her among the ranks of Filipinas to have visited all UN-recognized countries, alongside Odette Ricasa and Luisa Yu. However, Kach is the first to accomplish this without dual citizenship or additional travel privileges.

From overseas worker to digital nomad

Kach’s journey didn’t start with globetrotting. Like many Filipinos, she worked overseas in various roles to provide for herself and support her dreams.

“What led me there was a dream… I was seven years old. I really wanted to travel the world,” she shared.

In 2013, Kach co-founded Two Monkeys Travel Group, a blog that documented her adventures and served as her gateway to the digital nomad lifestyle. The platform gained popularity, offering travel itineraries, visa tips, and inspiration to Filipinos eager to explore the world.

“My blog, Two Monkeys Travel Group, was mostly about how I did it. But if I can do it, this is how you should do it, how you can do it better and avoid the hassle,” Kach explained.

The challenges of traveling with a PH passport

Traveling as a Philippine passport holder came with unique obstacles, including strict visa requirements, time-consuming applications, and immigration scrutiny.

“Pag sa immigration, ako na nakasabak. Wala akong kasama,” Kach said, recounting her solo encounters with immigration officers.

(Translation: At immigration, I'm on my own. I have no companion.)

She described the stereotypes she often faced. 

“First, they would think I’m going to enter on a tourist visa and end up working illegally or as TNT. Then, they’d assume I’m looking for a local guy to marry me so I could stay. Back then, Filipinos like me—remote-based OFWs—weren’t common,” she shared.

Despite these challenges, Kach credited her team’s support for helping her push through. “Para akong the first Filipinos who went to Mount Everest. You cannot do it on your own,” she remarked.

(Translation: I'm like the first Filipinos who climbed Mount Everest.)

Personal favorite

Among the 195 countries she visited, Antarctica stood out as a personal favorite.

“Coming from the Philippines, I live in Laguna. We don’t even have an ice skating rink. We have to go to Manila to experience ice. And my first-ever ice bath was in Antarctica, the seventh continent,” Kach shared, highlighting the stark contrast between her tropical homeland and the icy wilderness.

The experience, both surreal and humbling, underscored how far she had come—literally and figuratively—from her beginnings in the Philippines.

Sudan: The final stop

Kach’s journey culminated in Sudan, the 195th country on her list.

“Di ko siya pinili pero siguro nga pinili ako ni God to make voice about what is going on in Sudan,” she reflected.

(Translation: I didn’t choose [Sudan] to be my final stop but maybe God chose me.)

She explained the difficulty of obtaining clearance to visit the war-torn country. “Last month, I got the clearance that I am allowed to enter. I am the third tourist to enter the country,” she shared.

Kach was deeply moved by the resilience of the Sudanese people, noting their struggles amidst ongoing conflict. 

“Sudan’s capital was Khartoum, but they moved the entire government to Port Sudan. You don’t know how hard it is for these people, but just like Filipinos, you can see the grit in them,” she observed.

Certified by Nomad Mania

Kach’s achievement has been officially verified by Nomad Mania, a global travel platform known for its rigorous standards.

“It’s like the Guinness World Records for the traveler community,” she explained.

As the first Filipina to achieve this milestone with only a Philippine passport, Kach underscored the significance of her journey, “I am the first one with a Philippine passport—no dual citizenship, no green card, just solely with that.”

A Mission to inspire future travelers

Now that she has completed her global journey, Kach is turning her attention to inspiring the next generation of Filipinos. She plans to visit all 82 provinces in the Philippines to teach digital skills to young people in rural areas.

“Save as much money. Travel within the Philippines. Once you have the passport at 18, get out of the country. Travel Southeast Asia. I want to teach them how to strategize their skills because it’s different now,” she said.

Kach’s advocacy focuses on empowering Filipino youth with the tools they need to succeed in the digital age. “It’s all about skills. It’s not about age. Then you can work for these big YouTubers na, like you submit. And I could teach them. How can you find jobs? By being proactive,” she explained.

A legacy of breaking barriers

Kach’s journey is a testament to the resilience and determination of Filipinos. “We need to go with the flow and learn to adapt,” she reflected.

She also sees potential for the Philippines to embrace global trends like the digital nomad movement. “Countries have been doing this since 2014, but we’re only just catching up. There’s so much potential here,” she noted.

Through her remarkable achievements and unwavering advocacy, Kach Umandap has proven that Filipinos can rise above challenges and leave an indelible mark on the world stage.