THE MOST basic means of getting from one point to another which some do not think much of nowadays is walking. Sure, it is painstakingly hot outside, and we would much prefer staying indoors, but we have responsibilities to fulfill, which demand putting one leg in front of the other.
Also often seen as a last resort in transportation in favor of jeepneys or motorcycle taxis, some do not recognize the great benefits of walking—and, yes, there are many.
Inadmissible as slow, impractical, or a last resort when all else fails, hear it from people who embarked on bizarre walking adventures:
It opens new perspectives
“Napabili ako ng air fryer bigla dahil naglakad ako that day,” said Ralph Orecto, recalling when he discovered he had a knack for cooking after stumbling upon a ‘special place.’
It was an unexpected realization for the 23-year-old engineering student, who was only supposed to walk to his university that day during a major transport strike.
“Wala akong masakyan no’n. Kaso may kailangan akong ipasa sa university registrar na document para sa scholarship ko,” he told Republicasia.
Not wanting to forfeit his scholarship slot, which he said he fought for in the last few months, Ralph braved Taft Avenue to get to his university, which is a handful of kilometers away from his home.
“Naghalo na lahat: init, pawis, pagod, [at] ngalay,” he said. “Pero ang dami palang sceneries na ‘di mo nakikita kapag nasa jeep ka or tren.”
And one such scene for Ralph was a food stall along Dapitan Street, which, he said, opened a new door for himself.
Trying out its signature lumpiang shanghai and loving every bite, Ralph told himself he had to learn how to make it himself at home, hence the air fryer purchase.
“Ngayon hindi lang lumpia dishes inaaral ko, mga chicken and pork meals din para pwede ring pambaon sa klase,” Ralph said.
Ralph shared how deciding to walk that day opened a new perspective for him, making him more excited for new adventures that might emerge by walking to new places.
It creates space for advocacy
“Volunteer ako sa environmental group ngayon,” Lester Panganiban, a 23-year-old broadcasting student, recounted to Republicasia.
“Sobrang sakit sa mata ng city designs natin kasi very car-centric siya and not meant for green spaces,” Lester said.
Under these conditions, how, asked Lester, could people choose, let alone enjoy, walking around Manila and other similar cities in the country?
“Naglalakad pa lang ako from bahay namin to jeep terminal, napakarami nang harang sa bangketa. Minsan nga wala nang bangketa kasi may road repair tapos ang tagal matapos,” he said.
This frustration convinced Lester to join a university-based volunteer group advocating for green spaces within metropolitan areas nationwide to make them more walkable and safer for pedestrians.
“Ang dream ko talaga is one day very accessible na ‘yong mga bangketa, wala nang nakaharang and mas mabilis nang natatapos ‘yong road repairs, kasi nagiging obstruction siya e,” Lester said.
He also pushed for more person with disability (PWD)-friendly city designs, starting with better footbridges and functioning elevators.
“Mas masayang maglakad knowing na the place is designed for you tapos hindi masyadong mausok para naman sa mga may hika rin, ‘di ba?” Lester said.
It declutters the mind
“Strava is key,” said Yumi Macabbabad. A 21-year-old education major and an avid user of the exercise tracker app, she said she knows it is time to put on her running shoes whenever she feels down.
Not a complete stranger to walking exercises, Yumi said she only took them seriously after discovering how walking emboldened her mind.
“Hindi ko alam, pero basta iba ‘yong feeling ko kapag nag-wa-walk exercise,” Yumi shared with Republicasia.
Recalling her passing midterm examination scores, Yumi said part of what made them possible was walking in silence at 4 in the morning to cleanse her mind before reviewing her notes.
“‘Pag naglalakad ako [tapos] mahangin, parang nakatutok sa’kin ‘yong spotlight,” she said. “Nakaka-special siya and mas madaling mag-isip ng mga bagay-bagay like kung paano haharapin ‘yong challenges sa buhay.”
Yumi said walking is now part of her identity, often inviting her family for early walks and remembering the numerous instances it helped her stand firm during stressful moments at her university or home.
It becomes an exercise
Needless to say, the physical and simplistic demands of walking offer great benefits to the body.
Research establishes that regular brisk walking can help us maintain a healthy body weight and lose fat, preventing most cardiovascular diseases, including stroke and high blood pressure.
It also improves the immune system and general fitness while strengthening the bones and muscle endurance. In turn, these develop better energy levels, mood, motor coordination, sleep, and memory.
Starting small with walking for 5 to 10 minutes after classes or work is a good practice to master at least 30 minutes of daily physical activity, which could already reduce stress and tension and bring better results the further you walk.
Practicing the proper walking technique and routine while establishing realistic aerobic and strength goals goes far in the noble act of exercising the body.
Taking the next step
These adventures show a glimpse of the wonders of walking. Often seen merely as a mode for transport in our fast-paced world, walking suggests otherwise, offering a means of discovery, advocacy, emotional clarity, and self-care.
Heavy traffic, broken pavements, and the unbearable heat might deter people, but it asks for no fare and stands as a quiet way to counter rush, noise, and stress.
Walking has a magical way to reconnect people with their surroundings and, often, themselves as well. Consider it, and you might arrive at an unexpected place you will never regret visiting.
