INQUIRER Global Nation

THE NETHERLANDS—Kyle Baleva, 12, was able to raise 1,000 euros for orphaned children in his mother country the Philippines by completing the 30-kilometer-per-day hike of the world’s biggest hiking event the Nijmegen International Four-Day Marches last July 24.

Of the 40,465 who joined the hike, Baleva was among the 37,106 who were able to successfully complete the march. He crossed the finish line at 2:30 p.m., more than three hours ahead of the last one who last limped past at 5:55 p.m., or five minutes before the closing of the event.

“It wasn't very difficult after all. The training I underwent was much more difficult, much more intensive,” Baleva said, adding that he suffered neither blisters nor serious muscle pains anywhere in his body.

The boy’s beneficiaries

Aside from the royal decoration of the Vierdaagsekruis and cheers of approval from family and friends for his feat, Baleva raised money for children being orphaned after one or both parents are killed or kidnapped by suspected Philippine government security forces.

“I joined this walk because I wanted to help the orphans who have lost their parents through political killings and disappearances in the Philippines,” Baleva said. “I want to achieve something which would help cheer them up.”

On average, three Filipino children become orphans every week, he said citing news reports and stories from his parents.

Among the stories he’s heard is that of Adeliza Albarillo, who is almost his age. Albarillo witnessed the torture and murder of her parents by alleged elements of the 16th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army in Mindoro Occidental last April 2003. The gruesome incident left her and seven other siblings orphans. Six months after the crime, she continued to cry out in her sleep.

Another story Baleva heard is that of Alrico Barbas Jr.’s. At dawn of July 2005, Barbas woke up to the sound of gunshots. Suspected military agents killed his father and eldest brother, and left him maimed. Alrico, his mother, and five siblings, who were then aged from 1 to 9 years old, have been constantly on the move for the next 10 months as they struggled to put their lives together.

Baleva’s father was also a victim of abduction and torture by suspected elements of the 17th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army in June 2001 because of his alleged sympathies with the armed revolutionary movement. (The Baleva family is now living in exile in The Netherlands.)

With the help of his parents and the Nederlands-Filippijns Solidariteitsbeweging, friends and acquaintances were requested to donate at least 0.20 euros per kilometer that Baleva would finish. He was hoping to collect 24 euros from every donor if he could complete the four-day hike. But some donors were generous enough to donate much more than the 24 euros that he requested.

The money Baleva raised will go to the “A Hand for an Orphan” program of the Children's Rehabilitation Center in the Philippines. Materials bought will help the orphans overcome the psychological effects of their tragic experiences. The CRC goes to far-flung areas of the country where there are intensive military operations and there is a high incidence of human rights violations. CRC coordinates with other organizations and individuals in the locality to better help and respond to the needs of the children and their families.

How he trained for the hike

Asked how he was able to survive the grueling hike, Kyle explained that he was in training months before the Four-Day Marches. “As preparation for the walk, I have been training with my father since about 12 weeks ago. The week before, I just rested after having achieved my goal of walking 30 kilometers per day for three consecutive days without getting really tired.”

His father Boyen said they trained on weekends, beginning with a five-kilometer walk near their house.

“We gradually increased the distance every week at 10 kilometers, then 20 km for two weeks, and then 30 km for two more weeks. The last two weeks of training made sure that he can walk at least 25 km for three consecutive days. Some of those days we actually did more than 30 km because Kyle said he wasn't tired yet!” the proud father said.

Almost simultaneous with Baleva’s four-day hike through the towns and villages surrounding Nijmegen, children from the Salinlahi Alliance for Children's Concerns and CRC and other advocates for children's rights also marched on the streets in the Philippines in solidarity with him.

They joined thousands of others in the Lakbayan (People's March) from the Southern portion of Luzon island to Manila, in preparation for the State of the Nation Address protest actions. The children carried the banners: "Walk with Kyle, Walk for Justice" and "Walk for Justice, Walk for Peace."

“Even if we are in the Netherlands, we should remain patriotic and help the Filipinos back home,” he said. “We should use our voices and demand the government of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to step down.”