Victory Walk: A celebratory return journey retracing the Guinness route to give thanks, celebrate, enjoy

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

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:
- Promote environmental awareness and outdoor ethics, and
- Set a Guinness record for the fastest crossing of the Philippines on foot confirmed on October 22, 2025
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
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.

1. VICTORY WALK 2025 – Immediately after confirmation of world record by Guinness

October 25, 2025 – Manila – Live, in-studio guesting/interview, Adbokasiya DZRH Manila hosted by Bong Arriola and Tina Nolasco

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

https://web.facebook.com/watch/?v=1136427655336657

https://pia.gov.ph/news/phs-fastest-crosser-on-foot-sets-guinness-world-record/

November 28-30, 2025 – Guimaras – Guimaras Loop on Foot

Guimaras connection: Part of training plan but never happened. Full circumnavigation to fulfill a promise to go once PH traverse is completed

Walked and ran with… blister management, morning windmills, tambay at tulog sa kalye.

Courtesy call on governor’s office

December 12-16, 2025 – Multi-day Davao stop

December 12, 2025 – Santa Cruz, Davao Del Sur – Leave No Trace workshop for the guides of Bamboo Peak in Barangay Rizal, Santa Cruz, Davao Del Sur as arranged by Julius Panel of Santa Cruz Tourism Office

December 13-14, 2025 – Mount Apo – Celebration climb, Mount Apo via Santa Cruz trail

December 15, 2025 – Santa Cruz, Davao Del Sur – Monday flag ceremony and courtesy call, Santa Cruz Municipal Hall, Davao Del Sur

December 16, 2025 – Davao City – Leisure trip to Samal island to:
(1) Visit Monfont Bat Sanctuary, a Guinness record holder for Largest colony of Geoffrey’s Rousette Fruit Bat (Rousetteus amplexicaudatus)
(2) Enjoy the public beach

https://www.facebook.com/reel/2861329244073553

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/14V6cDmTvt9

2. VICTORY WALK 2026

January 24-26, 2026 – Multi-day Glan-Sarangani-Gensan stop

January 24, 2026 – Batulaki, Glan

Beach clean up at Batulaki Beach and Tinaca Beach in Glan, night picnic at Balangonan Port

January 25, 2026 – Glan
Run from Batulaki to Barangay Cross with Jangjang
Courtesy call on Barangay Cross
Courtesy call on Barangay Big Margus

Celebratory walk from Big Margus to Small Margus
Courtesy call on and lunch at Barangay Small Margus
Enjoy and overnight at Coco Beach

January 26, 2026 – Glan, Sarangani Province, Gensan (Hectic and tight schedule)
0600am-0800am Celebratory walk from Coco Beach to Glan Municipio together with Glan Tourism Head Rhoa Ngandiwa and Glan SB member Elsan Engkong
0800am Flag ceremony and courtesy call on Glan Mayor James Yap
0930am Breakfast at Isla Jardin Del Mar with Glan Municipal Police
1100am Courtesy call on Glan Municipal Police led by COP Jovenson Bayona
1145am Courtesy call on Sarangani Governor Ruel Pacquiao
0100pm Visit at Columbia store, Veranza mall

0130pm-300pm – Environmental lecture for the puplis of Jose R. Lansang Elementary School
0400pm Visit at Dadiangas South Elementary School

0430pm Visit at Manulife GenSan
0530pm Visit Microtel Gensan, dinner at the hotel

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1Go3HwP6CF/?mibextid=wwXIfr

https://web.facebook.com/watch/?v=741810382325137

https://web.facebook.com/watch/?v=1351876480044324

Kenya TV – https://web.facebook.com/watch/?v=1439512401185529

https://www.facebook.com/share/1HmU3rHvAk/?mibextid=wwXIfr