MANILA, Philippines?Canadian Jean Beliveau suffered a midlife crisis eight years ago and decided to walk away from his job in neon signs. He hasn?t stopped walking since.

He has traversed North and South America, South Africa, Europe, South Korea, Japan and Taiwan on foot.

On Saturday, Beliveau, 53, began his Philippine trek, a walk from Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, all the way to Cebu. The sendoff party included Pagudpud Mayor Marlon Sales and local tourism officials.

The trek would total 1,700 kilometers, he told the Inquirer in an interview last week, naming a few of the cities he would visit: Laoag, San Fernando in Pampanga, Tarlac, Manila, Lucena, Naga, Legazpi, Calbayog, Tacloban and Maasin.

To date, Beliveau has walked through 56 countries and gone through 40 pairs of shoes.

?I?ve crossed five deserts. In Japan, I was woken up by a bear. I drank chicha (beer made from corn) in Peru?I?m ready,? he said.

Why he does it

Beliveau left Montreal, Canada, on Aug. 18, 2000, with the goal of walking around the planet to promote ?peace and nonviolence to the profit of the children of the world,? in accordance with the United Nation?s International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World (2001-2010).

He has been acknowledged by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Paris and greeted by Nobel prize figures like Nelson Mandela, Oscar Arias Sanchez and Adolfo Pérez Esquivel.

When asked who he?d like to meet in the Philippines?political figure or otherwise?he had a ready answer: KC Concepcion.

Concepcion is the UN World Food Program?s national ambassador against hunger in the Philippines.

Beautiful puzzle

Beliveau walks pushing a three-wheeled cart carrying the bare necessities?a first-aid kit, clothing, water, a small tent and a sleeping bag.

His journey, he said, has been like ?pieces of a puzzle,? picking up the unique beauty of every country he visits.

In Algeria, he required surgery and was taken to a doctor who treated him for free. In New Delhi, he was given eyeglasses. In Chile, a company donated $1,000 to his venture, and in Taiwan a travel agent paid his air fare.

?I was received by 1,200 families. I slept six times in jail. Sometimes I ask the police to give me a place to stay and they give me a jail cell,? he said.

Trekking for the children

On his Philippine walk, Beliveau said he plans to complete 100 km in three days, and hopes to reach Cebu in two months.

His walk is done in collaboration with Virlanie Foundation, a Makati-based association helping over 240 street kids in Metro Manila, Batangas and Cavite.

By the time Beliveau reaches Manila, the public, especially those working for peace and children?s organizations, will be encouraged to join him on the street, said Celine Santillan, coordinator for Beliveau?s mission dubbed ?Walk for Peace for Children.?

After Asia, he will journey to Australia and New Zealand.

Beliveau expects to be back home in Canada by October 2011. With a report from Cristina Arzadon, Northern Luzon Bureau