PARIS, FRANCE, 30 October 2026 – Philippine Global Explorers (PGE) has received the Societal Development Award at A World for Travel (AWFT) 2026 in Paris, recognising the Filipino non-profit organisation’s contribution to education and community development through its global travel network.
PGE Chairman Dr Sonriza “Riza” Rasco accepted the award on behalf of the organisation during the A World for Travel Influence Dinner and Awards ceremony on 29 October at La Samaritaine, Paris, France.
Dr Rasco had the honour of receiving the award before an international audience of CEOs, chairpersons, and government ministers from the travel industry, including representatives from the United Nations, UNESCO, the World Travel and Tourism Council, and tourism boards. The room brought together the entire travel ecosystem, committed to advancing a more Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) focus model. The event aims to strengthen the initiative’s impact to ensure strategic rigor, depth of conviction, and effective execution.
The award recognises initiatives that improve community wellbeing and create opportunities through tourism, including education, skills development and social inclusion.
For PGE, the recognition acknowledges years of volunteer-led work, collaboration with organisations, and generous donations from the PGE members in providing impact in supporting communities in the Philippines.
Turning Travel into Educational Opportunities
The Philippine Global Explorers were founded to connect Filipino travellers worldwide. PGE brings together members, volunteers and partners who share their knowledge, experience and resources to support communities in the Philippines.
Lakbay Aral is an educational travel initiative that has developed across three programmes since 2023.
The first Lakbay Aral programme in Baguio City took place in August 2023 as part of PGE’s fourth Foundation Day activities. Ten students from the Upskills Foundation in Tondo, Manila participated in an educational heritage trip, visiting museums, cultural sites, and historical landmarks.
Led by PGE Project Lead Ryazan Tristram, with the valuable support from fellow PGE members Ann Virtudazo and Ed Pineda, the programme also included writing and photography workshops that connected travel experiences with practical learning.
The initiative continued in January 2025 with Lakbay Aral Part 2, bringing 40 students from the same partner organisations to the National Museum of the Philippines in Manila and the Book Museum cum Ethnology Center in Marikina. The visits introduced students to Philippine history, literature, indigenous cultures, and heritage collections.
In June 2026, the third Lakbay Aral programme took a different approach. Working with the Rotary Club of Makati Uptown, led by Francis Ong, PGE brought 45 students from the Upskills Foundation to Bonifacio Global City for workplace visits and career-learning activities.
Across its three editions, Lakbay Aral has connected educational travel with cultural understanding, heritage appreciation and career exposure. Each programme has relied on collaboration among volunteers, partner organisations and the wider PGE community.
Supporting Students Through the Gabay Scholarship
PGE’s commitment to education also extends to financial assistance through the Gabay Scholarship Programme.
In August 2026, Justin “Jaja” Carangan became the programme’s first graduate, completing her Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management at Richwell Colleges in Bulacan. Her graduation marked the completion of an educational journey supported by the scholarship programme and its donors.
READ MORE: PGE Celebrates First Gabay Scholar Graduate, Jaja Carangan
PGE has since expanded the initiative through a partnership with the University of the Philippines Diliman’s Asian Institute of Tourism (AIT), where the Gabay Scholarship Grant supports four students.
The programme provides financial assistance towards educational and related expenses, helping UP Tourism students continue their studies in tourism and hospitality.
Together, Lakbay Aral and Gabay Scholarship demonstrate two approaches to PGE’s educational mission: providing learning experiences through travel and helping students meet the financial demands of completing their education.
A Recognition Shared with the PGE Community
Following the Paris awarding ceremony, Dr Rasco shared the news with PGE’s leadership and volunteer community.
“This award belongs to all of us; I’m so proud to bring this award home to PGE,”
– Dr Riza Rasco
She acknowledged the organisation’s leaders, project teams, volunteers, members and partners, recognising their contributions of time and resources to PGE’s community initiatives.
For Dr Rasco, receiving the award before an international tourism audience was a meaningful acknowledgement of the organisation’s social mission.
Her message reflected the collective effort behind PGE’s programmes, from organising educational visits and supporting scholars to developing partnerships and sustaining other meaningful community projects across the Philippines.
Philippine Global Explorers other projects includes other environmental protection campaigns, heritage and cultural development, and community recognitions. See the other meaningful PGE projects here.
PGE at A World for Travel 2026
A World for Travel took place in Paris on 29–30 October 2026 under the theme “New Tourism Realities: From Global Disruption to Collective Action”.
The international forum brought together tourism leaders, policymakers, industry representatives and organisations to examine challenges facing the travel sector, including environmental responsibility, economic resilience, technology and social impact.
PGE’s Societal Development Award brings its community-led initiatives into this wider conversation about tourism’s contribution to society.
The recognition reflects PGE’s continuing commitment to using the collective knowledge, experiences and connections of Filipino travellers to support education, responsible tourism and community development in the Philippines.
Philippine Global Explorers extends its appreciation to A World for Travel for the recognition and to its members, volunteers, donors and partner organisations whose contributions make its programmes possible.
