20 February 2025 | Rason, North Korea
Dr. Riza Rasco, Leader and Co-Founder of Philippine Global Explorers, Becomes First Filipino to Visit All 203 Countries and 82 Philippine Provinces Dr. Riza Rasco, a respected leader and co-founder of the Philippine Global Explorers (PGE), has reached another significant milestone in her journey as a world traveler, becoming the first Filipino and Filipina to visit all 203 United Nations Member States and Non-United Nations Independent States, along with all 82 provinces of the Philippines. Her arrival in Rason, North Korea, marks an important moment in her ongoing travels, particularly after a much-awaited entry more than five years in the making, following the country’s border closure during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also comes more than three years after visiting her penultimate UN member country, making this milestone even more meaningful as she continues to explore the world and inspire others through her future journeys. With this milestone, Dr. Rasco is recognized as the first Filipino verified as both a UN Master by NomadMania (for completing all 193 UN member countries) and a Philippine Travel Master by the Philippine Global Explorers (for exploring all 82 provinces in the Philippines). Dr. Rasco is currently ranked among the Top 30 female travelers globally by NomadMania and the Top 20 female travelers worldwide by Most Traveled People (MTP), making her one of the most well-traveled Filipinos in history. Her extensive journeys have been featured in renowned publications such as National Geographic, Forbes, Outside, and the Philippine Daily Inquirer. Beyond her travel achievements, Dr. Rasco is an accomplished scientist, inventor, entrepreneur, author, and nonprofit leader, known for her contributions to genetic engineering techniques and molecular biology. Prior to co-founding the Philippine Global Explorers (PGE), she founded Explore Africa for Impact, a social enterprise aimed at promoting travel and tourism in Africa while supporting local community projects. Explore Africa partnered with local tour operators, reinvesting 100% of its net profits into community programs focused on education, vocational training, employment, and the empowerment of women. The enterprise operated successfully until 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated its closure. Dr. Rasco later co-founded PGE, a nonprofit organization that connects well-traveled and accomplished Filipinos worldwide to support initiatives in education, local tourism, heritage preservation, and environmental conservation in the Philippines. Under her leadership, PGE has grown to become the largest national travel club in the world, with over 1,400 members. Rasco is a prominent advocate for world travelers contributing positively to their native countries and making meaningful contributions to local communities. She firmly believes that education was her passport to the world, crediting her academic background and pursuit of knowledge for opening doors to global opportunities and enabling her to achieve her travel milestones. Reflecting on her journey, Dr. Rasco shared: “This journey, like those of Odette Ricasa, Luisa Yu, and Kach Umandap who paved the way with their own significant travel milestones, is not just about travel. It’s about breaking barriers, inspiring Filipinos to dream bigger, and proving that the world is within reach—if you dare to pursue it.” Dr. Rasco’s achievement stands as a testament to the power of education, ingenuity, perseverance, and the Filipino spirit, encouraging others to pursue their dreams and contribute meaningfully to the world around them. For media inquiries, interviews, or further information, please contact: [Contact Information]
5 KEY MESSAGES AND QUOTES FROM DR. RASCO
1.“Education Was My Passport to the World”
My journey is proof that education opens doors—sometimes even to the entire world. Education shaped my opportunities, giving me the skills to navigate both the world and my own life. It taught me to make smart choices, empowering me to explore foreign lands with confidence. Education became my real passport—more powerful than any document I carried. It also deepened my understanding of my own country, inspiring me to explore and appreciate the Philippines even more.
2.“Filipinos Are More Than Workers Abroad Who Serve Others”
Filipinos are known for their hard work, kindness, and deep compassion. But we are so much more. We embody strength, resourcefulness, resilience, and adaptability. We are a nation of dreamers and explorers—undaunted by challenges and relentless in our pursuit of purpose. We do not merely serve the world—we shape it. The world does not belong solely to the privileged; it belongs to those bold enough to dream and determined enough to make those dreams a reality.
To All Women: YOUR DREAMS MATTER. CHASE THEM.
Women often put others first, but our dreams are just as important. Take the journey. Live boldly. Your dreams are not selfish—they are essential. Pursue them, not just for yourself, but to inspire others to do the same.
3.“Discover the World, And Rediscover Your Own Country”
Travel is not just about stepping onto foreign soil. It’s also about truly knowing where you come from. I encourage my fellow Filipino explorers to see the world, but never forget to rediscover your own roots. The beauty, history, and culture of the Philippines deserve to be explored with the same passion we give to foreign lands.
4.“Lift Others as You Rise”
My journey hasn’t just been about personal achievement but also about helping and lifting others. That’s why the Philippine Global Explorers was built—to create a community where Filipinos can learn, connect, and be inspired. Success is not just about reaching the finish line—it’s about turning back to help others get there too. Whatever your dream is, remember that true success comes when your journey lifts others along the way.
5.”Celebrate Inspiration, Not Competition”
This is not a race or a competition. Whether you’re the first, the fourth, or the fiftieth, what truly matters is how your journey inspires others to dream bigger, explore further, and believe in themselves. Each of us has a unique story to tell, and every journey contributes to a growing legacy of inspiration for all Filipinos.
ABOUT DR. RIZA RASCO
Early Life & Education
Dr. Rasco was born in Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines. She pursued an academic career in agricultural biotechnology, genetic engineering, and molecular biology, earning degrees and certifications from the University of the Philippines Los Baños, the University of Nottingham (UK), The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania (USA), and Harvard Law School (USA). Her passion for education and scientific discovery opened doors to global career opportunities in the UK and the US, where she became a respected scientist in biotechnology and a recognized intellectual property and business development professional in the health and medical industries. Her educational journey became the foundation for her global travels, demonstrating that education is the most powerful passport to the world.
PHILIPPINE GLOBAL EXPLORERS (PGE)
Dr. Rasco is the co-founder and Chairman of PGE, the largest Filipino travel network and the world’s largest national travel club with over 1,400 members worldwide. Under her leadership, PGE has launched community projects supporting education, local tourism, heritage preservation, and environmental conservation in underserved regions of the Philippines. “Travel is not just about seeing places; it’s about making a difference. Through PGE, we aim to inspire Filipinos to explore meaningfully, give back, and create lasting impact.” For more information on PGE’s initiatives, visit https://www.philippineglobalexplorers.com.
MEDIA COVERAGE & INTERVIEWS
Dr. Rasco’s travel achievements and advocacy have been featured in National Geographic, Forbes, Outside Magazine, and Philippine Daily Inquirer. She has also been a guest on global travel podcasts, including Counting Countries, Every Passport Stamp, Travelers Century Club and NomadMania Travel Talks. For media interviews, feature articles, and speaking engagements, please contact pge.philippineglobalexplorers@gmail.com
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
Most Impactful Globetrotter (2022) – PGE
Extreme Traveler of the Year (2021) – Extreme Travel International Congress
Philippine Travel Masters Award (2024) – PGE
International Women’s Leadership Award – Pillar of the Community (2023) – Ladies of all
Nations International (LOANI Global)
Global Women Who Rule (2024) – The TNC Media
“Biggest Traveller of the Year” Nominee (2021) – NomadMania
FUTURE PROJECTS
Dr Rasco is currently authoring her memoir, Midlife Funk: How I Kicked the “K” Out of my Funk in a Global Odyssey, which chronicles her personal transformation during a decade-long journey. The book is slated for release in 2026.
JOIN THE MOVEMENT
Follow PGE and Dr Riza Rasco’s journey and mission:
Website: https://www.philippineglobalexplorers.com
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/philippine.global.explorers/
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/nonprofitPGE
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