First Filipino Inducted as Fellow of Renowned Global Society ‘The Explorers Club’

Filipino environmentalist and science communicator Gregg Yan has made history as the first Filipino to be inducted as a Fellow of The Explorers Club, a prestigious New York-based society founded in 1904. He joins a legendary international roster that includes icons like Neil Armstrong and Jane Goodall, breaking a century-old Western-dominated barrier in global exploration and securing the Philippines a long-overdue seat at the table for its rich yet endangered biodiversity.

Yan’s election follows two decades of rigorous fieldwork photographing and documenting endangered species—from local icons like the tamaraw and pangolin to international wildlife—alongside scientific research and his prior induction as an honorary Maasai warrior in Africa. Achieving the club’s highest Fellow category requires documented scientific contributions, extreme physical endurance, and a proven track record in habitat and cultural conservation.

Highlighting that exploration is deeply rooted in Filipino DNA, from ancient seafaring Balanghays to modern divers, climbers, and scientists, Yan dedicates the milestone to the local community. While he is proud to be the first Filipino Fellow, his ultimate goal is to champion homegrown talent and ensure he is not the last, paving the way for a brilliant new generation of Filipino field explorers.