Researcher and writer, Marco P. Puzon, has achieved what no one else has ever done before: he is the first person to visit all 1,634 towns and cities in the Philippines, a feat that took him an incredible 10 years to accomplish. His journey, which began in earnest in March 2013, has earned him a place in the history books and recognition as a recipient of the Philippine Travel Masters Award, hosted by the Philippine Global Explorers.
1634 Over 82
Marco’s love for travel began at an early age and was already a passionate solo traveler as early as the 1990s. Decades before domestic tourism became a trend, he was fortunate enough to have work that took him all over the country. By 2011, Marco had already visited 73 of the Philippines’ provinces, though he wasn’t really keeping track. Long before the days of the internet and budget “piso fares” that made travel easy and affordable, Marco had already journeyed to some of the most remote areas, including Simunul, Sibutu, and Sitangkai in Tawi-Tawi, as well as parts of Sulu and Basilan.
On March 27, 2013, Marco set a new goal that seemed almost impossible: to visit all 145 cities and 1,489 towns summing up to 1,634 destinations in total across the Philippines. This was what he calls as “The Restart” where trips before March 2013 do not count. Alongside this challenge, he continued his quest to visit all 82 provinces. By October 2019, Marco had already reached the furthest corners of the archipelago: Itbayat in Batanes to the north, Sitangkai in Tawi-Tawi to the south, Caraga in Davao Oriental to the east, and Balabac in Palawan to the west as well as visited his final province, Sulu, marking a major milestone. At that point, he had covered 99.08% of the country, with only 15 destinations left to visit. To make his journey official and recorded, Marco ensured he visited every town hall and signed the visitor logbooks of every city and town.
Finally, on March 19, 2023, after 10 years of relentless travel, Marco reached his ultimate goal: the municipality of Kalayaan in Palawan, completing his journey. When asked what inspired him to take on such an ambitious adventure, Marco simply said, “No one has ever done it before. Visiting all 81/82 provinces is amazing, but 1,634 towns and cities? That seemed daunting, even impossible.” Yet here he is, living proof that no goal is too big when you set your mind to it. Marco’s journey was not just about pushing boundaries but also about uncovering the unique beauty in every corner of the Philippines.
Memories in Islands of Freedom and Hope
When reflecting on his most unforgettable experience, 55 year old Marco excitedly recounts a moment that truly captured the essence of his travels: reaching Pag-Asa Island in the Municipality of Kalayaan, Palawan. The island’s remote location, nestled in a disputed area of the West Philippine Sea, meant that Marco had to jump through several hoops to get there. In 2019, he wrote letters to the town mayor and the Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), requesting permission and support. He also had to secure approval from military officials, adding more challenges to his journey. At one point, Marco thought his dream of reaching Kalayaan might never happen and he might just need to give up. 2023 came and gave him hope – the municipality organized “The Great Kalayaan Expeditions” through the Kalayaan Islands Tourism Agents Cooperative (KITAC), and Marco was invited as the first guest. This historic journey which took three days on board the BRP Melchora Aquino Ship of the Philippine Coast Guard, with stops on two different islands, made Marco the first and only person to visit all the cities and towns in the Philippines. He cherishes the warm welcome from the locals, complete with a drum and lyre performance from the schoolchildren, and feels an overwhelming sense of pride and joy when he had the honor of singing the Philippine National Anthem during the ceremony. This milestone not only marked an unforgettable achievement in his travels but also highlighted the Philippines’ many hidden and unexplored treasures as as the Kalayaan Group of Islands.
“…Should I finish 1,634, l would do it all over again…”
marco p. puzon in an exclusive interview with just go pilipinas
No To Favoritism
For Marco, when asked about his favorite place, choosing a bunch out of the 1,634 destinations to make up a list is much more impossible than the actual quest itself. He states that each province offers its own unique charm, making it difficult to choose just one. He doesn’t have a Top 10 or even a Top 100, simply because all are unique in its own way. There is simply too much to see and narrowing them down doesn’t give justice to the idea and joy of traveling.
Travel Lessons and Advices for Budding Travelers
Marco’s travels have shown him that no matter where you go, there will always be people willing to help and open their homes to you. “I was always led to the right people at the right time,” he says when reflecting on any challenges he faced. His journey took him to remote places, some of which didn’t even have accommodations like hotels or inns. Sometimes, he found himself spending nights in student boarding houses, and on a few special occasions, he was welcomed into the homes of local town mayors. Wherever he went, Marco discovered that every destination had its own tourism office where he could ask about local must-sees. And on weekends, when offices were closed, he’d head to the nearest police station, where the local police were always friendly, welcoming, and eager to help.
The most valuable lesson Marco picked up from his travels is that, it is not the sites that stick to your core memory, but the people, the friendships, and the connections you make along the way. This adventure gave him a deeper understanding of what it really takes to explore the Philippines. His advice to aspiring travelers is simple but invaluable: “Always wear a ready smile; Be adventurous when it comes to food; Travel with safety in mind and good intentions in your heart; Don’t forget to pray; And make sure to triangulate online information with local knowledge.” This combination of positivity and practical wisdom was the key to completing his groundbreaking journey.
Over and Beyond
Marco’s incredible journey is not just a personal achievement but a triumph for the entire Filipino travel community, a one-in-a-million accomplishment that many once thought impossible. While some may envy him, believing he was born with everything to make travel effortless, the reality is far from it. His travels came with serious sacrifices and trade-offs, but with the right mindset, anything is possible. As Marco puts it, “Until you’ve missed so much and truly understood the value of what travel gives beyond the monetary costs, you’ll never understand why I travel.” Marco Puzon’s story inspires a new generation of explorers, serving as a powerful reminder that with determination, curiosity, and an unshakable love for one’s country, anything can be achieved.
Marco’s accomplishment will be celebrated at the First Philippine Travel Masters Award at The Bellevue Manila Hotel on December 8, 2024. This award, hosted by the Philippine Global Explorers, honors exceptional Filipino travelers who have visited all of the country’s provinces. However, Marco’s achievement goes beyond this, solidifying his status as a true pioneer in Philippine travel. He is currently writing a book about his 1,634-destination quest and has published articles on Medium. Be inspired by Marco’s travel logs through his Facebook page, Marco de PH, and watch his interview with Pia Guanio in Youtube show ‘Kada Umaga”; interview with Dingdong Dantes in GMA Show ‘Amazing Earth’ and interview with 702 DZAS – FEBC Radio.
