Ron Aldrich Golingo, FOUNDER AND CEO, INFLIGHT MENU TRAVEL CORPORATION
The hum of a jet engine echoed through his heart while his mind flew to the lands of far-flung cultures and fun-filled adventures — vistas from the pages of the National Geographic magazines. For Ron Aldrich Golingo, the incident wasn’t just a fleeting childhood fancy but the stirring of a life-long global vision. Today, as he navigates a different cockpit as the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Inflight Menu Travel Corporation, Ron’s office in Quezon City embodies the mosaic of the world that he envisioned at twelve, fulfilling his youthful declaration to become an “international pilot.”
A wall adorned with airline memorabilia, a shelf lined with tokens from 38 countries, and a framed photo of Badjao children laughing in a vibrant daycare center— the sanctuary speaks volumes of a man who transformed his childhood dreams of soaring high into a vision that bridged continents and uplifted communities.
The Genesis: Charting a Different Flight Path
Growing up in a family of medical professionals, Ron’s fascination with global horizons felt unconventional. “I never wanted to go to work 8-5. I always wanted to do business on my own” he reflects. “I wanted to work hard and get rich not only for myself but for my family and to give back to the community” — his voice carrying the quiet confidence of a seasoned navigator.
Interestingly, his initial venture was not in travel but in the food and beverage sector. He conceived a coffee shop or a mini restaurant as a side hustle that aligned with his nascent entrepreneurial spirit. But fate maneuvered him to a different course and led him to the travel industry. The company’s name, inspired by the humble airline menu card, became a metaphor for possibility.
Thus, Inflight Menu Travel Corporation was born—a company that seamlessly merges the excitement of travel with corporate efficiency. Today, it is a premier corporate travel management firm servicing a vast portfolio of clients across the globe. “To date, the company is 99% focused on Corporate Travel Management serving a wide portfolio of accounts not only in the Philippines but worldwide,” shares Golingo.
Defying the Odds: A Business Born from Rejection
In 2015, Golingo’s graduate school thesis—a proposal for a travel venture—was dismissed by professors at Ateneo Graduate School. “The Inflight Menu was actually a failed research paper at Ateneo Graduate School,” Golingo recalls with a chuckle. Undeterred, he transformed that “failure” into the Inflight Menu’s foundation. For him, setbacks are just detours to something greater—a fertile ground where growth germinates. “Who would trust to work with a failure?” he recalls, smiling. Yet, with perseverance and a keen eye for opportunity, Golingo transformed Inflight Menu into a formidable name in the travel sector.
Inflight Menu’s ascent—from a scrappy startup to a 55-employee powerhouse—is rooted in Golingo’s belief that “innovation thrives in collaboration.” Golingo’s democratic leadership style—a rarity in corporate-heavy industries—fuels innovation. “My doors are always open. We discuss, then we agree,” he explains. Employees, whom he fondly calls “Rovers,” are encouraged to pitch ideas, from sustainability initiatives to client engagement strategies.
This inclusive approach, coupled with a commitment to rigorous hands-on training and 24/7 unparalleled customer support, has cemented Inflight Menu’s reputation as a leading corporate travel service provider.
This culture of trust has propelled accolades: Singapore Airlines’ Top Producer (2022–2023), the Philippines’ “Most Trusted Travel Agency,” and a Hall of Fame Award for ticketing excellence. Yet, for Golingo, the true measure of success is client loyalty. “Travel isn’t transactional; it’s relational. We’re custodians of our client’s ambitions.”
Balancing Dual Passion: Optics and Altitude
When the pandemic hit in 2020, and international travel was restricted, Golingo faced an industry in freefall. Rather than basking in leisure, he considered it a vocational retreat to pursue his life-long fascination with ocular science and enrolled in an optometry school. Now, juggling the dual roles of a CEO and a full-time incoming 5th-year student and a clinician taking up Doctor of Optometry, Ron finds a synergy between the two distinct domains that has taught him to view challenges from different angles, sharpened his business acumen, and improved his vision both as an entrepreneur and a person.
Despite his rigorous schedule, his love for travel remains undiminished. “From time to time, I still travel the world for free—distressing from school while enjoying the perks of owning a travel company.”
Beyond Business: A Commitment to Uplifting Communities
For Ron, business is a hollow entity unless it serves a social purpose. Through different educational programs, infrastructural upliftment, and social initiatives, he is continually working towards uplifting communities. Inflight Menu’s CSR initiatives—dubbed “Travel with Purpose”—have funded scholarships for underprivileged students, delivered supplies to Aeta indigenous communities, and built a daycare center for Bohol’s Badjao tribe.
“Every anniversary, we commit to continue doing Corporate Social responsibility projects. One of our biggest projects was to help build a daycare center for Badjao children in Bohol. What started as a dream for these children is now a reality,” shares Golingo. Each year, the company allocates 20% of anniversary profits to similar projects, ensuring growth and generosity ascend together.
Inflight Menu’s CSR programs are extensive:
- Feeding programs in orphanages and charities
- Gift-giving drives for the underprivileged communities and families in the AETA community
- Scholarships for deserving college students, covering tuition and allowances
- Church-building projects
- Disaster relief efforts across the Philippines
“Education is a priority for us,” Golingo emphasizes. “We don’t just accommodate interns; we provide full scholarships, ensuring that financial constraints don’t hinder someone’s future.”
Looking Ahead: The Next Decade of Inflight Menu
With Inflight Menu celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2025, Golingo sets his sights on the next milestone—building a 10-story headquarters with 115 employees, his lucky number.
“The Inflight Menu will be a well-known travel company not only in Quezon City, Metro Manila, or Luzon, but wherever you go! The Inflight Menu will be one of the most trusted travel businesses in the Philippines.”
His accolades affirm his standing as a distinguished leader:
- The BIZZ Awardee – San Francisco, USA
- Manager of the Year – Business & Economics, Philippines
- Top Producer for International Ticketing (2022 & 2023) – Singapore Airlines
- Hall of Fame Awardee for Domestic & International Ticketing (2018 & 2022)
These honors, however, are mere byproducts of his true mission—creating opportunities for people, whether in business or in life.
Final Boarding Call
Ron Aldrich Golingo’s story is not one of unbridled triumph, but of resilience recalibrated. From a rejected thesis to a thriving global brand, his journey mirrors the flights he books: occasionally turbulent, always ascending.
For those dreaming of entering the travel industry, Golingo offers simple yet profound advice: “Want to travel the world in style while doing a full-time job? Then the travel sector might be the best for you to invest your effort and resources in,” reaffirms Golingo. But beyond that, he underscores the importance of resilience. “Find your passion, take risks, and show up for yourself and your dreams. The world is full of opportunities waiting to be explored.”
In his office, a photo of Badjao children playing in their new daycare serves as a daily reminder. “They’re why we climb,” he says. For Golingo, altitude is meaningless without lifting others—a creed etched into every itinerary, every policy, and every life touched.