MANILA, Philippines ? Tourism Secretary Joseph ?Ace? Durano walks the talk?literally.

While promoting Philippine ecotourism and adventure travel to the world market, he also tests products and services by swimming with whale sharks, trekking the highest summit and spelunking. He says one has to be at a certain fitness level to enjoy these exploits.

?To stay fit even if you?re busy is to lead an active lifestyle,? he says.

Even before public office, Durano kept himself in shape by running. Ever since he joined the Cabinet, he?s always climbed the stairs to his office on the fourth floor of the Department of Tourism building.

?I never took the elevator since day one,? he says. When the staffers are out for lunch, he hits the treadmill in his room.

His job keeps him in top condition. In provincial sorties, Durano is prepared for outdoor exercises, clad in jeans and shod in fashionable athletic shoes. He always carries a backpack of fresh clothes.

?I put in some activity like seeing natural attractions,? says Durano. He recalls that after a speaking engagement in Bislig town, Surigao del Sur province, he trekked to Tinuy-an Falls, arguably the country?s most beautiful falls. ?I got my exercise for the day.?

One of his peak experiences was hiking to Mt. Apo, North Cotabato province. To celebrate the last year of being in his 30s, he and his family climbed the mountain and reached the summit on his birthday last April 3. It took them two days to reach the top at 10,000 feet above sea level and one day to descend.

The guide advised him to pack thermals to keep him warm in the 6-degree Celsius temperature. Wet tissues came in handy. ?After trekking, you go inside the tent and wipe yourself with them. That?s our shower.?

For energy, they packed peanuts, dried fruits, bananas and energy drink to replenish the nutrients. ?With water you just pee. Hydration is important,? says Durano.

Along the way, they encountered a chef who prepared carbonara on their first night at the campsite, and steak the second night.

With bedtime at 9 p.m. and wake-up time at 4 a.m., Durano found the pace refreshing. Mountaineers also suggested that he pop a muscle relaxant upon arriving at the camp, and another one before bedtime. ?When you wake up the next day, you?re ready for eight hours of hiking,? says Durano.

The descent was more difficult. ?Because of the pull of gravity, your muscles are contracting the entire time,? he says. To keep his balance, he learned the technique of walking sideways for better traction. In the end, three days of hiking at eight hours each, his clothes got loose. ?That?s just the first 10 pounds of water. You sweat the entire day,? says Durano.

Taking the ?blunge?

Working on tourism activities in Danao Adventure Park in Bohol, Durano went kayaking, rappelling and zip-lining. A highlight was taking the ?blunge,? a combination of bungee jumping and plunging to the other side of the ravine. ?You feel like a rock being thrown around,? he says.

In Palawan, Durano would dive and snorkel. In Coron, he climbed the limestone cliffs to explore the hidden lagoons. He went diving to view the wreckage of Japanese gunboats that hid there during World War II.

In Donsol, Sorsogon, Durano, armed with flippers and a diving mask, tried to keep up with whale sharks. ?It was more like seeing dinosaurs. You think they are slow, but they?re gliding on water,? he says.

Sohoton cave in Basey, Samar, was worth the 40-minute trek, with all its grandeur.

?That?s my motivation. I want to keep a level of fitness. Going up and down the four floors in DOT and twice a week five-kilometer runs keep me hardy so I can enjoy the country?s natural wonders.?