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
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.
DETAILS OF ORIGINAL JOURNEY
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
| DATE | LOCATION | ACITVITY AND LINK TO DETAILS |
| October 25, 2025 | Manila | Live, in-studio interview Adbokasiya, DZRH Manila hosted by Bong Arriola and Tina Nolasco |
| November 3, 2025 | Naga City | 1. Courtesy call on Mayor Leni Robredo and tourism team 2. Monday flag ceremony 3. Media interview 4. Breakfast at Uma Hotel 5. Lunch with Biggs teams at Barlin branch |
| November 28-30, 2025 | Guimaras | 1. Courtesy call on the provincial governor’s office 2. Guimaras Loop on Foot 3. LNT lecture |
| December 12, 2025 | Santa Cruz, Davao Del Sur | Leave No Trace workshop for the tour guides of Bamboo Peak |
| December 13-14, 2025 | Mount Apo, Santa Cruz, Davao Del Sur | Mount Apo climb via Santa Cruz trail |
| December 15, 2025 | Santa Cruz, Davao Del Sur | 1. Monday flag ceremony 2. Courtesy call on Mayor’s office, Santa Cruz, Davao Del Sur |
| December 16, 2025 | Davao City, Davao Del Sur | Leisure trip to Samal island to: 1. Visit Monfont Bat Sanctuary 2. Enjoy the beach |
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
Kenya TV – https://web.facebook.com/watch/?v=1439512401185529
February 1, 2026 – Live in-studio guesting, Byahe ni Ahwel, DZMM Teleradyo
February 9, 2026 – Live in-studio guesting/interview, Radyo ng Bayan Manila
February 16-21, 2026 – Multi-day Sibuyan stop
02/16 Courtesy call on PASU Joybert Mijarest at Mount Guiting Guiting jump off, and San Fernando Mayor Nanding Marin
02/17-18 Leave No Trace workshop in motion for the mountain guides and porters during a climb in Mount Guiting Guiting
02/19 Courtesy call on Romblon Mobile Force 3rd platoon at Barangay Taclobo, San Fernando, Sibuyan
02/20 30th Mount Guiting Guiting parade in San Fernando, Sibuyan
With Romblon Gov. Trina Frimal-Fabic –
With San Fernando Mayor Nanding Marin
March 14, 2026 – Live in-studio guesting, Adbokasiya, DZRH Teleradyo with Teng Silfavan
April 11-14, 2026 – Multi-day stop in SOCCSARGEN
April 11, 2026 – Maasim, Sarangani
April 12, 2026 – Leave No Trace workshop sponsored and organized by Columbia at Veranza mall, Gensan
April 13, 2026 –
Flag ceremony and courtesy call, Gensan City Hall
Visit and courtesy call, Barangay Katangawan, Gensan
Visit and courtesy call, Malungon Municipal Hall, Sarangani Province
Leave No Trace workshop
Tree-planting
April 14, 2026 – Kalonbarak, Sanchez Peak, 8-km walk
NEXT STOPS (Date TBA)
DAVAO DE ORO
Nabunturan
Monkayo
AGUSAN DEL SUR
Bunawan
Rosario
Prosperidad
Bayugan
OTHER STOPS TBA till we reach Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte
Long-distance walking across the Philippines 