ORMOC CITY–A warm reception awaited Ferdinand Dela Merced on Monday, July 7, 2025, as he set foot in this city, marking another milestone in his ambitious mission to walk across all 82 provinces of the Philippines.
The 48-year-old hiker from Talavera, Nueva Ecija, is attempting a one-year journey on foot across the country, a feat he hopes will land him in the Guinness World Records.
In Ormoc, he was welcomed by Vice Mayor Leo Carmelo Locsin Jr., city councilors, and residents who have been tracking his progress online.
In Leyte, off-road hobbyist Fredie Lagong Segovia joined him as a local guide.
Segovia called on Filipinos to rally behind Dela Merced’s journey, calling it a powerful gesture of national pride. (Ronald Reyes)
Photos: City Government of Ormoc/Fredie Lagong Segovia
