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Lito de Veterbo

ABS-CBN News Digital Intern

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1762143829227PH TRAVERSE.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Lito de Veterbo, 55, became the fastest man to traverse the Philippines on foot — now officially recognized by the Guinness World Records. <em>Photo courtesy of Veterbo</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Three pairs of sneakers, three sets of clothing, three GPS trackers, one reusable water jug, and zero plastic water bottles.</p><p>That’s all the 55-year-old Lito de Veterbo needed to pack for his monumental five-month journey to become the fastest man to traverse the Philippines on foot — now officially recognized by the Guinness World Records.</p><p>Being steadfast of his goal, it took the Filipino mountaineer 147 days, an hour, 39 minutes, and 53 seconds to walk from Maira-ira Point in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, to Tinaca Point in Glan, Sarangani Province.</p><p>De Veterbo began his solo tour on Feb. 9 this year, and finished the 2,177-kilometer journey on July 6. But it took about three more months for his feat to be recognized by the world record book.</p><p>“When I stepped on Tinaca Beach on July 6, it was a bittersweet feeling… Parang it&#x27;s good that you&#x27;re finished, you&#x27;re completed, but more melancholic because it&#x27;s done,” De Veterbo told ABS-CBN News.</p><p>For him, however, the entire crossing was more than a record attempt, it was a living demonstration of what he preaches: the “Leave No Trace” principles, promoting environmental awareness and outdoor ethics.</p><p>“So I had to demonstrate what I teach because I thought that when you&#x27;re trying to advocate something, you yourself must be the one to apply it to yourself,” he said.</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1762143883266IMG_2410.JPG" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-dragging"/></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>WALK THE TALK</strong></div><p>De Veterbo began mountaineering in 2011 and later decided to do long-distance walking. From then on, he made it his ultimate goal to live by the “Leave No Trace” advocacy in an effort to minimize environmental impact and practice proper waste disposal.</p><p>“When I started the long-distance walk, I thought, why not go around the Philippines? Go the whole Philippines, at the same time, promote environmental awareness,” he said. </p><p>According to De Veterbo, however, the Guinness recognition was only a bonus to the walk’s purpose. Rather than boast about the achievement, he takes pride in turning words into deeds like going completely plastic-free.</p><p>“The objective is to teach people, to educate people on how we can minimize our impacts to the environment… I will not brag about my Guinness, I can brag about this one: I was able to finish the 5-month traverse without buying or consuming bottled water.”</p><p>Over the course of his 147-day journey, the eco-friendly trekker carried his own reusable container, which he would refill — sometimes with pay — with potable water at his pit stops. Tucked in his bag, he also kept a “water bladder” to stay hydrated for longer stretches.</p><p>“So it basically eliminated the need to buy bottled water because I had my own water in my bag… I just refill at the hotel, restaurants, carinderia, kung saan man meron water,” he said. “And when I drink soft drinks, I specifically request that it has to be in a bottle, not in a plastic container. &#x27;Pag wala, next tindahan.”</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1762143928309IMG_0808.JPG" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1762143979767IMG_0827.JPG" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>The environmental advocate also emphasized that aside from ditching plastic bottles, he also practiced bringing his trash home. “I did not leave trash in any of the towns and cities that I passed as I walked across the Philippines,” he stressed.</p><p>During his rest days over the five-month period, De Veterbo would dedicate his time to conduct pre-arranged lectures at specific locations to spread more of his values about caring for the environment. He was assisted by local government units and fellow mountaineers.</p><p>“When I arrive, I become the resource person and I conduct this ‘Leave No Trace’ workshop during my rest breaks,” he said. </p><p>In total, he took 18 days off the trail to rest, do laundry, break in his shoes, and gather strength for days ahead.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>LENGTHS IT TOOK</strong></div><p>But aside from the actual walk itself, planning the journey proved to be just as rigorous. For nearly a year, De Veterbo mapped out every route he would take, reviewed the places for accommodation, secured coordination with LGUs along the way, and set aside funds for the costly journey ahead.</p><p>Before he started his mission, De Veterbo underwent a series of strength training sessions in Marinduque, Siquijor, Sibuyan Island in Romblon, and even as far as Singapore.</p><p>“It happened based on how I planned it… I prepared physically, emotionally, mentally, and of course, financially,” he said. “I had to consult my friends in provinces along the route to see if it&#x27;s safe.”</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1762144125048IMG_5090 (1).jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>The long distance was meant to be a test of physical strength and endurance, but for De Veterbo, it was the mental toll that was hardest to endure — and what drove him to the finish line.</p><p>“Walking a long distance is more of a mental thing… Not the physical exhaustion, not the blisters, hindi &#x27;yung ulan, hindi &#x27;yung init. It&#x27;s really mental, ang dali-daling mag-decide na ayoko na,” he said. </p><p>“Kahit na physical ka nag-ready, kung mahina &#x27;yung mental capacity mo, titiklop ka.”</p><p>While everything — from the routes to the two ferries he boarded — had been pre-approved by Guinness, he said safety was his biggest concern, especially since he traveled solo.</p><p>De Veterbo also faced the task of documenting every step of the way just for his attempt to be counted and recognized.</p><p>“I tracked myself during the whole period without stopping. Although may putol ‘yun,” he said. “Hindi ako pwedeng gumalaw or mag-start na walang pre-approval.”</p><p>Every day for five months, the mountaineer held on to a main GPS tracker, along with two backups in case an issue breaks out. He was also required to take photos at every turn or stop to verify the paths he took.</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1762144214267IMG_5212 (1).jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>But the most demanding part was the 10-minute videos that De Veterbo had to record daily, capturing everything from the moment he woke up, finished a meal, and left the place he stayed at. Along with this, he carried witness forms for people he met to sign for proof, and kept a diary for a more detailed journaling.</p><p>By the numbers, De Veterbo confirmed that he submitted 45 GPS files, 148 videos, 149 journal pages, 612 witness sheets, and 2,320 photos to Guinness, which he needed to organize properly after the whole traverse.</p><p>“It took me months to organize the documentation… I&#x27;m able to do it only on weekends kasi nga may work ako or after office,” he said. “Importante lang naman ma-capture na you were there in the area… It&#x27;s not the quality of the content.”</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>THE NEXT HURDLE</strong></div><p>Almost half a year since his record-setting journey, De Veterbo is now easing back to his usual routine and settling in his post-traverse blues.  </p><p>The long-distance walker currently works at a BPO company, and he only gets to do mountaineering activities during the weekends. Despite this, however, he already has his sights set for his next step: A victory walk.</p><p>De Veterbo plans to do the 2,177-kilometer walk once more, but this time to retrace his steps, thank those who supported him, and champion the rich tourism across the country.</p><p>“Victory walk siya across the Philippines, and the objective is to thank the people [and] LGUs along the way, showcase and enjoy the tourist spots, and continue spreading and promoting environmental awareness,” he said</p><p>De Veterbo even encouraged others to try and break his record, admitting that he is eager to give it another shot.</p><p>“Pero given that I have work, hindi ko siya kayang gawin at this time… Siguro &#x27;pag 61 [years old] ako, &#x27;pag wala na ako work, pero by that time siguro na-beat na &#x27;yung record.”</p>

<p>Lito de Veterbo, 55, became the fastest man to traverse the Philippines on foot — now officially recognized by the Guinness World Records.</p>

Lito de Veterbo, 55, became the fastest man to traverse the Philippines on foot — now officially recognized by the Guinness World Records.

Mountaineer with advocacy sets Guinness record for fastest crossing of PH on foot

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Mountaineer with advocacy sets Guinness record for fastest crossing of PH on foot

ABS-CBN News Digital Intern,

Shayne Lee Andreas Macaraeg

Published Nov 03, 2025 01:35 PM PHT

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Lito de Veterbo

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