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De Veterbo in front of Glan, Sarangani’s Legislative Building. Lito De Veterbo

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ABS-CBN News Digital Intern

<div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dii" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17523067012931752306697369.png" id="isPasted" class="fr-fic fr-dii" style="width:960px"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">De Veterbo in front of Glan, Sarangani’s Legislative Building. <em>Lito De Veterbo </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — For 54-year-old Lito de Veterbo, walking isn&#x27;t just a hobby — it&#x27;s a way of life, a form of advocacy, and perhaps, a future record-breaking legacy.</p><p>In a historic five-month trek, De Veterbo walked the Philippines from Maira-ira Point in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, to Tinaca Point in Glan, Sarangani. </p><p>While the feat is still under Guinness World Records review, De Veterbo proudly claims what no one else in the country has officially done: traversing the archipelago on foot, with minimal impact on the environment.</p><p>“It’s about showing that we can enjoy the outdoors responsibly,” he said.</p><p>De Veterbo walked approximately 2,300 kilometers over 149 days — from Maira-ira Point in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, to Tinaca Point in Glan, Sarangani Province. </p><p>He began his journey on February 9, 2025, at 8:58 a.m., and officially stopped the clock on July 6, 2025, at 10:38 a.m.. </p><p>Along the way, he consistently applied low-impact and low-waste practices, embodying the principles of Leave No Trace during hikes and in his everyday routines on the road. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/3/8/-long-walks-around-manila-content-creators-film-kilometers-long-exploration-of-metro-1129"><strong>&#x27;Long walks around Manila&#x27;: Content creators film kilometers-long exploration of metro<br/></strong><em></em></a></div><p>Beyond completing what may be a historic first, he also introduced a new standard for future long-distance walkers: the Great Philippine P2P (GP3) — a linear, point-to-point traverse of the country, defined by its connection between the northernmost point of Luzon and the southernmost point of Mindanao.</p><p> According to De Veterbo, GP3 is not a formal race or event, but a personal challenge: “No checkpoints, no passport required. Just connect the two points. Use of motorized [vehicles are] discouraged.”</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>From Weekend Mountaineer to Nationwide Walker</strong></div><p>Born in Naga City, Camarines Sur, and now working in Manila, De Veterbo spends his weekdays in a BPO company and weekends climbing mountains or running environmental workshops.</p><p>He’s a certified Leave No Trace Level 2 instructor — a title he wears with purpose.</p><p>Inspired by his experiences in mountaineering, De Veterbo began planning his cross-country walk in early 2024.</p><p>His advocacy goals eventually expanded into an attempt to set a Guinness World Record, but the record wasn’t the point. “The highlight was promoting environmental awareness,” he explained.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>The Guinness Attempt</strong></div><p>In March 2024, De Veterbo submitted his application to Guinness World Records. Approval took months and came with technical guidelines: specific start and end points, documentation, pre-approved sea crossings, and continuous GPS tracking.</p><p>He walked entire islands like Marinduque, Siquijor, Sibuyan, and even Singapore to prepare. </p><p>Although the official recognition is still pending, De Veterbo has completed the walk and is now organizing documents to submit. </p><p>“The burden of proof is on me,” he noted. But for him, the achievement stands — Guinness or not.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Daily Life on the Roads of the Philippines</strong></div><p>On most days, De Veterbo walked 15 to 25 kilometers, beginning at 9 a.m. and ending by late afternoon, depending on the safety of his location.</p><p>In cities, he could walk later; in isolated areas, he stopped early and returned to a hotel.</p><p>His accommodations, mostly inns, hotels, or sometimes police stations, were pre-arranged. Friends also hosted him in certain towns.</p><p>“I ate whatever was there — carinderia food, biscuits, soft drinks, turon,” he said. </p><p>“And I never bought bottled water. I always had my reusable container.” He considers this one of his proudest personal achievements from the journey.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Alone, But Not Really</strong></div><p>While it was designed as a solo trek, De Veterbo welcomed company. Friends occasionally joined him — some for a few kilometers, others for days.</p><p>“It was fun,” he said, laughing. “Sometimes we slowed down because of all the kwentuhan, but it made the journey even better.”</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>The Hardest Part: Safety</strong></div><p>Contrary to what some might assume, physical strain wasn’t his biggest hurdle. “The most difficult part was thinking about safety daily,” he said.</p><p>He often passed through isolated areas with few people, like parts of Quezon, Camarines Sur, Samar, and Southern Leyte. He would sometimes hire a tricycle or motorcycle to follow him in these zones as a safety measure.</p><p>To stay visible, he wore red daily and walked facing traffic. “It’s standard for road walkers — you walk on the left so cars see you. The red just made sure they did.”</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-srUjxKveGI?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><div><strong>Most Rewarding Moments</strong></div><p>De Veterbo names his Leave No Trace workshops as the most fulfilling part of the journey. With help from local groups and LGUs, he conducted LNT seminars in towns, schools, and even on a mountain in Davao during a rest day.</p><p>“It was an excellent feeling — being able to share what I know so that we can minimize our impacts,” he said.</p><p>He also recalled the ceremonial send-off he received in Pagudpud, complete with police and army escorts.</p><p>In Glan, the Sangguniang Bayan awarded him a recognition plaque as the first person to complete the traverse from Maira-ira Point to Tinaca Point.</p><p>The last stretch of the walk, he said, was especially emotional. “We were 18 people walking in the rain. We even had a closing program under the downpour, right on the beach.”</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>The Cost of the Cause</strong></div><p>De Veterbo funded the journey mostly out of pocket, with savings set aside during the planning stage. Friends and family pitched in, and a few brands helped with gear or accommodations.</p><p>He carried only essentials in a 32-liter backpack: three sets of red clothes (wash-and-wear, or “wash and wear and wear again,” he joked), a reusable water bottle, an emergency kit, a raincoat, and GPS trackers.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>After the Walk</strong></div><p>Now back in Manila, De Veterbo plans to continue his Leave No Trace workshops — including one in Dumaguete this August — and hopes to resume island walking across Camiguin, Guimaras, Palawan, and Cebu.</p><p>He’s also open to documenting the journey further, possibly through his website or a book</p><p>For De Veterbo, walking the country was never about going viral — it was about going forward.</p><p>“In everything we do, we create impact. Most of it is negative,” he said. “Pero kung handa tayo, we can reduce it.”</p><p>He gave simple advice: Bring a reusable water bottle. Bring an eco bag. Don’t buy bottled water if you can avoid it. Be prepared for what you want to do, not just physically but financially and emotionally.</p><p>“We can’t reach zero impact,” he said. “But we can try to keep it low.”</p><p>And if you’re going to take a step toward something big? Do it with purpose. Do it without leaving a trace.</p><p>De Veterbo hopes Filipinos remember two things from his journey: to keep their environmental impact low, and to be prepared — physically, emotionally, and financially — for the goals they set.</p><p>For him, it’s not about being perfect, but about being ready enough to reduce harm and move forward purposefully.</p>

<p>For 54-year-old Lito de Veterbo, walking isn't just a hobby — it's a way of life, a form of advocacy, and perhaps, a future record-breaking legacy.</p>

For 54-year-old Lito de Veterbo, walking isn't just a hobby — it's a way of life, a form of advocacy, and perhaps, a future record-breaking legacy.

Filipino mountaineer walks from Ilocos to Sarangani to push outdoor ethics

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Filipino mountaineer walks from Ilocos to Sarangani to push outdoor ethics

ABS-CBN News Digital Intern,

Kirsten Rianne Siu

Published Jul 13, 2025 08:26 AM PHT

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Updated Jul 14, 2025 01:18 PM PHT

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