Riza Rasco, the first Filipino to travel all 203 countries in the world

Riza Rasco is the first Filipino to travel to all 203 countries in the world. This extraordinary feat spanned 30 years, culminating, finally, in a trip to North Korea in February 2025.

She now holds the achievement of having traveled to all 193 member states of the United Nations; two UN Observer States, The Holy See (Vatican City) and Palestine; three member states of UN Specialized Agencies, Cook Islands, Niue, and Kosovo; and five non-UN De Facto Independent States, namely Taiwan, Northern Cyprus, Transnistria, Western Sahara, and Somaliland.

She has also traveled to all 82 provinces of the Philippines.

“I’ve been saying education was my passport to the world, and that journey is proof that education opens doors sometimes even to the entire world,” Rasco told GMA News Online in an interview.

“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.”

Speaking about her recent visit to North Korea, the 53-year-old Rasco shared that the trip was a long time coming, as it followed her visit in Tuvalu in December 2022.

For the trip, Rasco flew solo to Yanji, China and crossed a land border going to Rason, a North Korean province.

“In my case, I had to actually wait for over three years before I could do the last country, which gave me so much frustration. And so, at the end of it, ‘yung pag-cross ko ng border, it was a sigh of relief more than anything because it's been such a long, frustrating wait,” she shared.

With the help of a travel guide, Rasco had a “fascinating and positive experience” exploring the country.

“We visited schools where we interacted with children. They spoke English well. Each day, we enjoyed three full meals, trying a variety of North Korean dishes,” she recalled.

They explored an island off the eastern coast, hiked the country’s highest peak in the region, and learned to make kimchi, mung bean pancakes, and a traditional rice cake called “chaltteok.”

Their adventure didn’t end there as they also visited a brewery and a liquor factory, which gave them a glimpse into North Korea's production industries.

“One of the most memorable moments was watching the talented children of the Rason Children’s Palace perform on stage, showcasing their impressive talents,” Rasco shared. “I learned a lot, and despite common misconceptions, I felt completely safe throughout the trip.”

Per Rasco, the biggest misconception about North Korea is that it's dangerous for visitors, but she shared that it was as safe as most other countries she's been to.

"They are strict about only showing you what they want to show you. And, you know, we know the reasons why. But, you know, if you're a visitor, like in all places in the world where you visit, you abide by the rules of that place,” she said.

Having finally completed visiting all the countries in the world, Rasco shared that the journey has been a lot to take in.

“The feeling is incredible and overwhelming. This journey took 30 years to complete, so while reaching the finish line is a huge milestone, it wasn’t a sprint. It was a series of small steps over three decades,” she said.

Traveling the world

Growing up, Rasco has always been an energetic, adventurous and curious kid, which led her to explore different things.

“I constantly found myself in trouble for spending more time outdoors, exploring places I wasn’t supposed to go, and doing things I wasn’t supposed to do like ride my father’s motorcycle, play football and basketball,” she shared.

“Energy and [an] adventurous spirit are core to my personality. Fear of the unknown was never something that held me back.”

When she was 22 years old, she met her ex-husband, John Gaunt, who inspired her to explore the world.

“It was my ex-husband, John Gaunt, who truly introduced me to the world of serial travel. If I had to name one person who influenced and inspired me to explore the world, it would be him,” she said.

Her first international trip was at the age of six to the United States, where her family stayed for two years as her father pursued his doctorate degree in Cornell University as a scholar of the University of the Philippines.

After returning to the Philippines, Rasco focused on her studies and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture Biotechnology at the University of the Philippines Los Baños in 1990.

She embarked on her first international trip as an adult in 1993 when she travelled to Europe for a vacation. She has lived, worked, and traveled from one country to another ever since.

While one may think it easy for Rasco to have a favorite after unlocking every country in the world, she told GMA News Online that she doesn’t have a favorite country.

“There are so many I’ve loved and enjoyed in different ways. No place is perfect, but each has something unique to offer. Whether it’s breathtaking landscapes, warm people, rich history, amazing food, or exciting activities, the key is to appreciate and enjoy what makes each destination special,” she said.

In the Philippines, however, she named Mavulis Island in Batanes, Iloilo province and Sulu as her favorites.

Ethiopia, on the other hand, was the country that surprised her the most.

“When I was growing up in the Philippines, there was a famine in Ethiopia. And all that we saw in the media, in the newspapers was this image of a starving boy na super payat, na ang laki-laki na niyang ulo niya. And it was like that poverty, that level of poverty,” Rasco shared.

“So, when I went to Ethiopia, that was my expectation, that this is just gonna be a very poor country. And it turned out to be, I was so wrong. It wasn't true, it was only a small section of Ethiopia. And Ethiopia is such a beautiful country. ‘Yung landscape niya is amazing.”

While in Ethiopia, Rasco explored its vast scenery, lush mountains, wondrous caves, and met some of its 50 tribes.

“It's really one of the highlights of my journey in Africa. So, 'yun, Ethiopia is one of those big surprises,” she explained.

She also recalled one of her unforgettable moments from her travels, which was an encounter with a chimpanzee in Equatorial Guinea.

She had jumped into a lake, not knowing that chimpanzees in the region are scared of water. According to her, one chimpanzee on the bank paced back and forth and watched her with worry.

“At first, I didn’t think much of it—until, to everyone’s shock, he suddenly reached out. As I swam toward the bank, the chimpanzee grabbed my hands with incredible strength and pulled me out of the water,” she said.

“It wasn’t just a quick rescue—once I was safely on land, he wrapped his arms around me, hugging me tightly and showering me with kisses. Even after I was on solid ground, he refused to let go, gripping my hand and staying by my side as if making sure I was truly OK and that I don’t fall in the water again.”

The moment, for Rasco, was the first time she “ever felt such genuine affection from an animal.”

“The depth of his concern and the instinctive kindness in his actions left me in absolute awe. It was a moment of pure connection, one I will never forget.”

A woman scientist

Aside from being a passionate traveler, Rasco is a scientist by profession. After obtaining her bachelor's degree in UPLB, she earned a master’s degree in Biotechnology and Biochemistry from the same university in 1993. After this, she earned her doctorate degree in Cell and Molecular Biology/Bioengineering at the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom in 1999.

Following her graduate studies, Rasco went on to work for a chemical company in the U.K. This professional journey brought her to the U.S., which compelled her to venture into business management.

Still working at the same chemical company, Rasco studied Global Business Management at the Wharton School in the University of Pennsylvania, which allowed her to shift to more business roles in the company.

After 17 years, she decided to leave the company and travel full-time. 

In 2019, Rasco co-founded the non-profit organization Philippine Global Explorers (PGE), which fosters initiatives in education, heritage preservation, conservation environment, and local tourism.

“I believe that 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,” she shared.

“I’ve been a prominent advocate for world travelers contributing positively to their native countries and making meaningful contributions to local communities. It’s the reason why PGE was founded based on this personal advocacy."

Under her leadership, PGE worked with the Sulu government to promote its local tourism not just only to the Filipino community but to foreign tourists, as well.

Rasco has received the Women's International Leadership Award by the Ladies of All Nations International (LOANI Global)in 2023 and the Global Women Who Rule Award in 2024 for her work in PGE. 

Where to next?

After traveling the world, Rasco is now writing a book about all the lessons and experiences she learned from her 30-year journey.

“In the last 13 years, after losing my mother to breast cancer, my travels became even more intense and deeply personal. My book chronicles this period of profound change, inspired by the communities and cultures I encountered around the world,” she shared.

Through her experiences, she "evolved from being a passive, isolated scientist—disconnected from life and my own sense of purpose—to becoming an active community builder, a change-maker, and a leader of the Philippine Global Explorers.”

“The more I traveled, the stronger my desire became to reconnect with my roots and embrace my identity as a Filipino,” she said.

Traveling is empowering, and Rasco is living proof of this.

For women, she believes that travel can help build their confidence, resilience, and capacity to adapt.

Traveling also compels women to step out of their “comfort zone, solve problems on the go, and navigate unfamiliar environments, often with limited resources.”

“Along the way, you learn to communicate across language and cultural barriers, trust your instincts, and develop both mental and physical strength to overcome challenges. With every journey, you gain a deeper sense of independence and the realization that you are capable of handling anything that comes your way,” she said.

Rasco also reminded women who want to travel to always chase their dreams because these matter, and to find the courage to explore the world.

“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,” she said.

“Be brave. The more you do it, the more comfortable you become, the more confident you become.”

— CDC, GMA Integrated News