VICTORY WALK & THANKSGIVING TOUR
By Lito De Veterbo

In gist: To celebrate the Guinness World Record for the fastest crossing of the Philippines on foot and continue the thrust for environmental advocacy,

OBJECTIVES

  1. GRATITUDE (Pasasalamat): To retrace the route in reverse mode to thank and celebrate with the people, friends, establishments and LGUs that provided support during my five-month, cross-country journey on foot to:
  2. ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCACY (Pero trabaho muna…): To sustain the thrust to promote environmental awareness and outdoor ethics through lectures/workshops and demonstration of low-impact, low-waste practices
  3. LEISURE (…bago saya): To enjoy local sightseeing towards an aim to assist promote tourism. 

BACKGROUND: GUINNESS WORLD RECORD

In 2025, Filipino mountaineer and long-distance walker Lito De Veterbo set the Guinness World Record for the fastest crossing of the Philippines on foot. At 55 years old, he walked from Maira-ira Point in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, to Tinaca Point in Glan, Sarangani, covering approx. 2,300 kilometers over 147 days, 1 hour, 39 minutes, and 53 seconds. He averaged 16-18 km/day, mostly walking solo, carrying only essential supplies including three pairs of shoes, three sets of clothing, and a reusable water container, avoiding plastic bottles entirely.

Throughout his journey, De Veterbo applied his Leave No Trace advocacy, promoting environmental protection by minimizing waste, avoiding plastic, and practicing responsible outdoor ethics.

Lito de Veterbo’s Victory Walk is a reverse trek across the Philippines from Sarangani to Ilocos Norte. The walk serves as a gesture of gratitude to his supporters and a continuation of his environmental advocacy following his record-breaking journey in 2025.

The main expedition is intended to span from Tinaca Point in Glan, Sarangani (the southernmost tip of Mindanao mainland) back to Maira-ira Point in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte (the northern tip of Luzon mainland), essentially retracing his record-setting path in reverse.

The Victory Walk celebrates De Veterbo’s official Guinness World Record for the fastest crossing of the Philippines on foot, which was confirmed on October 22, 2025.

JOURNEY DETAILS

Record Time: 147 days, 1 hour, 39 minutes, and 53 seconds
Original Journey: Started February 9, 2025, at Maira-ira Point, Pagudpud, and ended July 6, 2025, at Tinaca Point, Glan.

SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES IN NAGA CITY

November 3, 2025 – Naga City
– Monday flag ceremony at Naga City Hall grounds
– Courtesy call on Mayor Leni Robredo
– Meet Naga City tourism team
– Media interview
– Breakfast at Uma Hotel
– Lunch with Biggs teams at Barlin branch

Lito De Veterbo during a visit and courtesy call on Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo on Nov. 3, 2026
At the flag ceremony in Naga City on Nov. 3, 2026, Mayor Leni Robredo acknowledges Lito De Veterbo’s achievement for setting the Guinness record for the fastest crossing of the Philippines on foot
An Naga Ngonian (ANN) news featuring Lito De Veterbo following his visit and courtesy call on Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo on November 3, 2025

Visit at Uma Hotel in Magsaysay Avenue