A mountaineer from Liloan town in Cebu Province embarked on a journey of a lifetime - an  extraordinary hike. 

He walked from the tip of northern Cebu to the tip in southern Cebu.

Thirty-four-year-old Bienvenido Arsenal III trekked the mountains of Cebu from end to end in solitude. He said that he could not keep his mind off the route and guide the moment he learned of it. 

With excitement, encouragement, and enthusiasm he decided to give it a go before his employer would call him back for work. 

"Sa una nakadungog naman ko ani nga naay ruta nga ingon ani sa akong manghod. Mao naengganyo ko ani,” Arsenal said in an interview with GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak.

Arsenal began his journey in Barangay Maya, Daanbantayan town on February 26, 2025.

He took an upland route, not the main roads and highways, deemed an axial route that passes by upland barangay roads.

He met several people along these routes. Some questioned his intention, or purpose.

“Medjo nabag-ohan sila, dili baya normal nga naay tawo naglakaw-lakaw sa ilahang barangay, ilang lugar, ang uban moduol kay unsa daw akong gibuhat,” Arsenal narrated.

He would walk from 30 kilometers to 40 kilometers daily. He said he starts by 7 a.m. and stops by 5 p.m., or the latest by 6 p.m. At twilight, he would look for a campsite to pitch his tent. 

He made sure that he would be able to rest properly at night in preparation for the next day.

He would allocate for rest days to be able to wash his clothes.

“Mo-maintain kog 30 to 40 kilometers a day para makuan nako akong pacing para sa akong kaugalingon di ko masobraan pod og lakaw,” Arsenal pointed out.

Arsenal is a seafarer, a third mate, for an international shipping company.

As of this writing, Arsenal is on vacation, awaiting a call from his shipping company for the next assignment. This is the reason why he took the opportunity to pursue the hike passing by mountain barangays, climbing being a hobby since.

On March 13, 2025, on the 15^th day, Arsenal arrived in the southern portion of Cebu Province – in Barangay Liloan, Municipality of Santander.

He walked a total of 454 kilometers.

Arsenal said he expected to be in Santander on the 20^th day, which means he arrived five days earlier. This might be hard and impossible for others to do, but for Arsenal, he takes pride in the achievement that has brought him several life lessons.

In fact, he is ready to take on the route in reverse – or from the south and back to the north, the point of origin.

He said that when that happens, it would not be solitary anymore, as he will be accompanied by his brother. 

“Ako nakat-onan nga makaya nako diay medjo nakabali kos ako limitasyon, unya sa mga tawo gyud sa lugar, sa mga nindot nga lugar sa kabukiran sa Cebu makaagi ko, nindot ana ko, naa diay [ingon ani] diri,” Arsenal said.