News Commentary

Hiker travels across Philippines for a cause

Philstar.com

October 11, 2015 | 4:00am

MANILA, Philippines - Have you ever dreamed of taking on the biggest challenge of your life, surrounded by nature,alone with your thoughts, meeting people and sleeping in a different bed or make-shift bed for 3 months?

Rhodz Cordura will fulfill that challenge as he travels from the southern tip of the Philippines to the most northern destination, on foot. He becomes the first Filipino to ever do this trip.

Cordura has been walking from Zamboanga City, where is based, to Laoag since September 27 to help children with cancer fight their battles.

Cordura was born on February 6, 1986 in Zamboanga City, Philippines to a brood of sisters. He studied computer engineering at the Western Mindanao State University and is a graphic designer and an avid photographer. Growing up he indulged in sports but never quite became the athlete in college. Since a few years ago he shoots for Running Photographers, a group who specializes in running events and captures many moments of glory and pain.

In 2011 as the running boom hit Zamboanga to a few enthusiasts he became part of a running group,the Zamboanga Runners Club.ph and hence his love for the sport began and grew. From short local runs to the Bataan Death March 102k in blistering heat and the grueling Manila to Baguio 250k 3-stage race to the latest Manila to Baguio 250k one-stage challenge, he has completed them all in decent time.

Earlier this year a personal tragedy left him empty and restless. He filled up his days doing the only thing that moved him forward, running. All those lonely trails all around the city and the neighboring mountains became his man-cave and there he numbed his broken heart. It was in his lowest moments that the idea to do a solo hike was hatched. He researched and made plans, and after months of preparation, he was ready to take on the challenge.

But time is a wonderful healer. After all the preparations he found he was no longer sad. He was excited .He was motivated.And he found a reason to continue on with his hike. A reason beyond his healed self. He would love to dedicate the hike for the children who fought and continue to fight the hardest battles of all. The battle to survive.

Cordura is an ordinary hiker with an super extraordinary mission.If you want to help him in his journey and make the lives of children living with cancer a little bit easier to fight, please donate now.

For the HIKER

BPI Account Name: Roderick M. Cordura

Account Name : 2129 1490 11

For the CHILDREN, a separate account is being processed.

To track your hiker Log on to : Pilipinas Hike Expedition

To provide encouragement text him at : 0916 658 2474