WHILE many prefer to travel in comfort, this man prefers to walk with his dogs from Mindanao to Luzon and back and forth.
Max De Lima, known to many as “Tatay Max” or “Journey Max,” arrived in Davao City on August 7, 2017 from Butuan City. Many Dabawenyos easily recognized him when he first arrived in Rizal Park during the weekend.
He first gained attention through television and social media when he walked from South Cotabato to Leyte with his ten dogs. Many citizens have also sent out donations and assistance to this 74-year-old man as they see him as an epitome of courage and perseverance.
“Tung bata pako, nidako ko sa isa ka mag-uuma na pamilya sa Ormoc, Leyte. Hantod sa naging teenager ko, akong nahibal-an lang na trabaho kay mag-uma (I grew up in a farm family in Ormoc, Leyte. Until I grew up to be a teenager, the only job I only know was to farm)," Tatay Max said in an interview with SunStar Davao.
He loved to explore and appreciate the sceneries in the countryside, he said, and he did this by walking.
Tatay Max said there is a difference between travelling on a plane or vehicles and walking your way to the place you want to go. He said only through walking a person can experience what real life is, that travelling to places is not all about leisure but real-life situations.
“Akoang ganahan sa pagbaktas paadto sa mga lugar na akoang gusto adtoon kay makasalamuha kog mga klaseng-klaseng tao ug makastorya nako sila (One thing I love about my walking to faraway places is that I can meet and converse with different people)," he said.
He has been welcomed by people, and he enjoyed the engagement with people he had just met.
“Sa ulan, init, ug kakapoy na akong maagihan matag lakbay nako, dili jud ko gutomon kay naay mga tao na manawag unya manghatag. Parehas ang mga sakyanan, muhunong jud na sila unya mukanaog sa sakyanan para magpapicture sa akoa unya tagaan ko nilag pagkaon (Despite the rain, heat, and exhaustion, I never get hungry because there are people who give food. Vehicles stop, the passengers all wanting to have photos with me, and then they give me food)," he said.
The country being an archipelago, he did have to ride boats and ships to walk on to another island. He has been given free lifts as well.
Tatay Max said he has been to almost a hundred towns and cities in the country with his dogs.
From ten dogs, he now has only three. The seven died along the way, from old age, from health conditions.
Only three remain: Dionesia, Balagtok, and Bulantoy.
“Tanan tao ginapangutana ko ngano lagsik ug taba akoang iro. Ana ko sa ila na kan-on jud akoang ginapakaon ani sa ilaha unya ginapa inom jud nako ug tubig pirmaminte. Bahala nag dili ko makakaon basta sila dapat makakaon (Many people ask me why my dogs look healthy. I tell them that I feed my dogs rice and always keep them hydrated. I'd rather go hungry than starve my dogs)," Tatay Max said.
Among the places he loved the most, he said, is the zigzag road in Quezon Province as it gives a scenic view at its highest point.
At 74, he has never been married, as travelling around the country takes front seat among this priorities.
“Mga last year to, giduol ko sa taga Guinness World of Records para daw inominar ko bilang lalaki na pinakalayo nalakaw. Wala ko nisugot kay ana ko sa ila na wala pa nahuman akoang journey (Guinness World of Records came to me last year and said they want to nominate me as the man who has walked the farthest distance. I told them I am not interested because I am not yet done with my journey)," he said.
Tatay Max also brings with him some Abaca pouches that he handcrafted and sells to earn his keep.
He said Davao City has been good to him and he even plans to stay until August 21 to experience Kadayawan Festival. Tatay Max will be heading to General Santos City after his two-week stay here.
With people like Tatay Max, we are taught how life is indeed simple and that no amount of material things can equal the happiness brought by doing what you want in life.
In case you bump into Tatay Max, stop, smile, and engage him in a conversation. He will love it. You will, too.