About Kach Medina Umandap

Meet Kach Medina Umandap - the Youngest Filipina to visit all 195 countries, and the First Filipino to do it solely on a Philippine passport. She is also the first woman from the Global South recognized as a "UN Grandmaster" by Most Traveled People, proving that a Philippine passport can reach every corner of the world.

Born in Makati City and raised in San Pablo City, Laguna, Kach is one of the OG travel bloggers in the Philippines, having launched Two Monkeys Travel in 2013. She funded her 12-year mission by co-founding TwoMonkeysTravelGroup.com, FilipinoPassport.com, and TravelWithKach.com - a journey that began as a solo backpacker on Southeast Asia's Banana Pancake Trail, initially financed by her savings as an OFW in Kuwait and Kurdistan, Iraq (2009-2013).

She completed her final country, Sudan, in January 2025. The achievement was honored at Malacañang Palace by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and recognized by the Philippine House of Representatives through House Resolution No. 859.

Today, Kach is the author of Career or Travel, Why Not Both? How To Become a Digital Nomad (Penguin Random House SEA, September 2026), a travel columnist for BusinessMirror Philippines, and a Philippine Air Force Reservist. She leads the Student Nomad Club and #Mission1642 Philippines - a nationwide journey across all 1,642 cities and municipalities to promote domestic tourism, expanding in November 2026 into a National Book Tour reaching 112 state universities and over 1.3 million Filipino students. She also distributes a Tagalog edition of her book to students, promoting digital skills, AI literacy, and financial education.

Kach hosts the podcast Diplomatically Yours, interviewing diplomats and global leaders. Based between Dubai, Palawan, and Montenegro, she mentors the next generation of remote Filipino professionals.

Her mission is clear: to empower young Filipinos with digital skills and strong values so they can work and travel freely - strengthening the global mobility of the Philippine passport.

Kach’s Journey

From her first steps as a curious traveler to becoming the Youngest Filipina to visit all 195 countries - and the First Filipino to do it solely on a Philippine passport - Kach's journey is one of courage, curiosity, and relentless exploration. This timeline highlights the milestones, adventures, and transformative experiences that have shaped her mission to empower Filipinos to thrive globally.

Read about her journey and see how each step brings her closer to inspiring a generation of Filipino digital nomads.

Read about her Journey

Two women on a beach with palm trees, lounge chairs, and umbrellas in the background, one wearing a cap and the other with braided hair and sunglasses.

A woman smiling with the Statue of Liberty in the background, standing near the water.

A woman in a red dress with white floral pattern smiling in front of an ornate Islamic architectural building with blue tilework and minarets.

Milestones & Missions

🌍 195 Countries Visited

First Filipina and Global South woman to achieve #Mission195 using solely a Philippine Passport.
🎤 100+ Media Features

Featured by TIME, Forbes, BBC, GMA, ABS-CBN, and more.
💻 Digital Nomad Advocate

Founder of TwoMonkeysTravelGroup.com, FilipinoPassport.com, and Student Nomad Club.
✨ Mission 1642: Empowering the Next Generation

A nationwide journey to all 1,642 towns and cities, bringing digital skills, AI literacy, and global opportunities to Filipino students

Core Advocacy & Mission

A woman with dark hair, wearing a colorful headscarf, black crop top, and black leggings, smiles while walking through an art installation with hanging fabrics and a brick wall background.

Kach Umandap's work is guided by a commitment to expand opportunities for Filipinos across three key areas:

1. Global Mobility
Advocating for equal access to travel and cultural exchange - proving through her own record that a Philippine passport can open every door in the world, and teaching Filipinos the strategies to do the same.

2. Digital Economy & Remote Work
Promoting digital skills, AI literacy, and location-independent careers as pathways for Filipinos and Global South citizens to earn globally and live freely - the path she documents in her book, Career or Travel, Why Not Both?

3. Youth Empowerment & Education
Supporting the next generation through the Student Nomad Club and the #Mission1642 National Book Tour - integrating digital readiness, financial education, and global citizenship, with the goal of reaching 2 million Filipino students nationwide.

Mission Statement

To break barriers for the Global South - proving through global mobility, digital skills, and youth education that opportunity can be built, even when it wasn't given to you at birth. Because where you start does not have to determine where you finish.

Media Recognition

Kach’s journey has been featured in leading international and local media outlets.

See full media features

A black and white image of a vintage microphone on a stand with a wire mesh grille.

Black text that reads 'Business Insider' on a transparent background.

Silhouette of a runner in a starting position on a track at sunrise or sunset.

The word "GOSSIPOPOLITAN" in black 3D block letters with purple accents underneath.

The word 'HBO' in black text on a white background.

Line graph with multiple colorful bars increasing over the years, and the word 'Online' in large letters.

A person sitting on a bike with a dog in a basket in front of them at sunset in a park.

Text reading 'the best' in black font on a transparent background.

Text reading 'RIPTIPNO Express' with yellow starburst background and decorative stars

The text 'CNN Life' with 'CNN' in large purple 3D letters and 'Life' in smaller black and gray font.

A black background with a yellow horizontal banner displaying the text 'NEWS CHANNEL' in black capital letters.

World globe illustration with colorful arrows circling around it, representing global movement and connectivity, alongside the text 'Your Trusted Logistics Partner'.

Graphic with large white 'S' inside a black square on the left, and a stylized orange fruit with green leaf and black outline on the right.

Media Coverage

International

The Global Filipino https://theglobalfilipinomagazine.com/dubai-based-filipina-becomes-first-to-visit-all-un-countries-using-only-a-philippine-passport/

Philtimes https://philtimes.com.au/trailblazing-filipino-first-and-youngest-to-visit-all-un-recognised-countries/

Local

INQUIRER https://globalnation.inquirer.net/261109/kach-umandap-sets-record-first-to-visit-all-193-countries-with-ph-passport

BusinessMirror https://businessmirror.com.ph/2025/01/15/millennial-entrepreneur-is-youngest-pinay-to-travel-195-countries/

SunStar https://www.sunstar.com.ph/superbalita-cebu/pinay-nga-milibot-sa-195-ka-nasod-2

PhilStar Life https://philstarlife.com/celebrity/285271-kach-umandap-the-filipina-who-visited-195-countries-with-ph-passport-feature?page=3

GMA https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/932907/pinay-travels-to-all-195-countries-now-wants-to-be-in-all-ph-provinces/story/

Cebu News Daily https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/617057/meet-kach-umandap-youngest-filipina-to-travel-the-world-using-ph-passport

ABS CBN https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/1/19/kach-umandap-first-ph-passport-holder-to-visit-all-193-countries-in-the-un-1555

Manila Standard https://manilastandard.net/business/314545464/ofw-becomes-youngest-filipina-to-visit-195-un-recognized-countries.html

Corner Magazine https://www.cornermagazineph.com/2025/01/12/youngest-filipina-to-visit-all-195-countries-completes-historic-journey-in-sudan/

Preview PH https://www.preview.ph/culture/kach-medina-umandap-traveled-the-world-ph-passport-a5200-20250204-lfrm?ref=feed_1&s=0tho6njh5uuo3v9ek3ust3llam

Daily Tribune https://tribune.net.ph/2025/01/13/youngest-filipino-traveler-makes-final-landing-at-mcia

Blogs

Filipino World Travelers https://filipinoworldtravelers.com/past-events/fwt-ambassador-kach-umandap-explores-sudan-on-her-193rd-country-journey

Interviews

Agenda (YouTube) https://www.youtube.com/live/o3p8LhETsGE?si=V5nH016RO9LqzkLv

ANC Alerts https://www.facebook.com/ANCalerts/videos/1103041404898415

News Watch https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1Ez7j78gxo/

News Watch https://youtu.be/sskL2EQGm2c?feature=shared

INQ Stories https://youtu.be/ba3GmhjsnQU?si=KnB9gZI-cPS8GHBe

PTV News https://www.youtube.com/live/ATe0ycEVrmE?si=WabHenx9AZbMk5_p

TV Guesting

Eat Bulaga https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=e_So02zlWcs
Korina Interviews - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Btx4b-2k5Cg
Pinoy Inspiring Story with Pia Guanio - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyEWrvaAb_4

Praise for Kach

“Kach’s brand is one of expanding possibilities, whether through strategic partnerships or by illuminating innovative pathways for others to thrive.”

Everette E. Villaraza – SEADRIF
“Kach’s extraordinary journey is an incredible honor for us. Her accomplishment mirrors our mission to connect more Filipinos to the world.”

Mactan-Cebu International Airport
“Her advocacy proves that when Filipinos have real options, they don’t just survive, they lead and inspire.”

UPLB Economics Society
“Ang iyong kamangha-manghang paglalakbay ay isang inspirasyon para sa maraming Pilipino na nangangarap ding tuklasin ang mundo.”

Gawad Laguna Inc.
“Kach’s incredible journey is a shining example of the adventurous and resilient Filipino spirit.”

FWT Makati
“She believes in the transformative power of travel, not just as exploration but as a catalyst for social change and empowerment.”

UP Beta Sigma Sorority LP
“Kach’s achievement is not just a personal milestone but a moment of pride for the global community of Filipino world travelers.”

Dondon Bales – Filipino World Travelers

About Kach Medina Umandap

Kach’s Journey

🌍 195 Countries Visited

🎤 100+ Media Features

💻 Digital Nomad Advocate

✨ Mission 1642: Empowering the Next Generation

Core Advocacy & Mission

Media Recognition

Media Coverage

International

Local

Blogs

Interviews

TV Guesting

“Kach’s brand is one of expanding possibilities, whether through strategic partnerships or by illuminating innovative pathways for others to thrive.”

“Kach’s extraordinary journey is an incredible honor for us. Her accomplishment mirrors our mission to connect more Filipinos to the world.”

“Her advocacy proves that when Filipinos have real options, they don’t just survive, they lead and inspire.”

“Ang iyong kamangha-manghang paglalakbay ay isang inspirasyon para sa maraming Pilipino na nangangarap ding tuklasin ang mundo.”

“Kach’s incredible journey is a shining example of the adventurous and resilient Filipino spirit.”

“She believes in the transformative power of travel, not just as exploration but as a catalyst for social change and empowerment.”

“Kach’s achievement is not just a personal milestone but a moment of pride for the global community of Filipino world travelers.”

Follow My Journey.