In celebration of World Tourism Day, let’s look back on the stand of Filipina travel legends on travelling, specifically on budgeting, preparations as well as the dos and don’ts while exploring the world.
After travelling the world, Odette Ricasa, Luisa Yu, and Kach Umandap looked back on their experiences as they want to educate the public about traveling without breaking their piggy banks.
The three agreed that an individual must be ready and has enough money for the planned trip.
“Ayaw ko rin ng mangungutang kasi if I cannot afford it, I would not go, I better save some money. I save, tsaka ako nagpa-plan mag-travel. Kung hindi ko mapuntahan, dahil wala akong pera, I maybe postpone for another time hanggang makaipon ako,” Luisa Yu, the oldest Filipino to travel the world said.
For Kach Umandap, the youngest Filipino to travel the world, she believes a mantra in life: work and save money before travelling.
“Mahirap na mabaon ka [sa utang] because of travelling. Mag-iipon muna ako para maganda ‘yung bank account statement ko tapos hindi ako gagastos…Sometimes I’m spontaneous, sometimes I make plans. For newbies, I don’t think you can do very spontaneous (trips),” she said.
First Filipino to travel the world Odette Ricasa revealed that she was once a budget traveler but after retiring and saving up, she now enjoys the fruit of her hardwork.
“Ngayon, dahil mayroon na akong pera, I go business class,” she happily shared.
Odette, Luisa and Kach also stressed the importance of planning and proper research before and during traveling.
“There are countries that are too expensive to go on your own and there are places that are too dangerous to go on your own. May mga lugar na hindi pwedeng pang solo female,” Kach said.
“For us, Filipinos, we really need to be aware of the rules kasi wala tayong embassy everywhere,” she stressed.
Odette was the first Pinay who visited all 193 countries in the world at the age of 77 years old. From migrating to the USA at an early age, she finally checked off her bucket list to travel the world!
Luisa made history as the oldest Filipino to travel all 193 United Nations member countries at the age of 79 years old. She fulfilled her dream to travel the world as a single mom and a senior citizen!
Kach recently reached the milestone as the youngest Filipina to travel the world with just using a Philippine passport at 36 years old! From being an OFW to her backpacking era, she eventually checked off her bucket list to visit all the countries!
