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Mission Death Valley
(a Few Brave Souls)
The University of Santo Tomas High School 1980
Scholarship and General Fund Drive
Jojo Sayson's perspective
(edited by Marina V. Torres)
03-19-07
Another chapter has been written again in this story book
made up of a wide circle of friends or a family known as the
UST High School Batch 1980 Alumni Association. The objective
this time is for the US- International chapter to give its
share of support to the association's
scholarship program purposed to provide education to two
deserving children of our batchmates. This is the vision of
its current leadership and its flagship project.
The Mission Impossible Team (MIT) was therefore mobilized -
again, for this purpose of raising funds for humanitarian
purposes, for instilling camaraderie and fanning our taste
for adventure. A few brave souls responded to the call of
duty - John Talabis (and wife Hanna), Ron Pasamba, Cielit
Reyes-Giddy, and I. The MIT support team - Marina V. Torres,
Letty DeGuia-Elgincolin, Gerald and Linda Nalagan, responded
without hesitation. The team, as a whole, hoped that every
single batchmate in the world could identify with us and
live vicariously another spiritual adventure. We are
indebted to all the prayers sent our way for safe passage in
the desert, salt plains, and mountains. We are powered in
our hearts by well wishes to reach the bottom of the North
American continent, its lowest point at 282 ft or 85.5 m
below sea level, the driest place on the planet, and an arid
region where its hot temperatures can be potentially lethal
- Death Valley National Park in California, U.S.A.
Tweet Vizcarra, MIT member of Half-Dome bade us farewell the
night before the trek and got a surprise bon voyage call
from MIT member, Chito Rabadam. God granted us favorable
temperatures in the desert, a tolerable 90-95 F. The
objective to plant the Philippine flag and our USTHS80
banner on the highest peak of the Sand Dunes was not as
menacing as Mission Half-Dome last year. It is roughly a
little over 4 miles round trip on foot but one has to walk
on very fine sand across undulating terrain. Our feet sank
with every step and sand made its way between our toes,
forcing us to make periodic stops to clear it and hydrate
ourselves. Here, heatstroke is a specter for those who do
not drink enough fluids. We were prepared with the right
gear that included wide-brimmed hats, walking poles, energy
bars, electrolyte gels, and camelbak hydration. The pounding
sun is unforgiving as there is no shade to rest under except
for a few bushes yet dangerous enough as these may be hiding
places for poisonous snakes escaping the heat.
Snake tracks were plentiful as noticed by all along the way.
Here, you can hear each step with laboring breaths as water
evaporates rapidly with each exhalation and the occasional
gust of wind could easily blind with stray sand particles.
We were like ants walking on little sand hills.
Reaching the highest peak of the Sand Dunes was an awesome
relief. We immediately set-up all that was needed then took
the famous shot of the momentous pose proudly with the
Philippine flag, the yellow ribbons (idea by Leo Riingen)
with the names of donors as promised. We remembered requests
for different poses such as the Queen Cielit on a throne
pose, the Ron "pasan-ba" pose, and our version of the Iwo
Jima pose idea by Jerry Simon. There was much jubilation,
laughter, and silliness but afterwards, we did what we
always do. We held hands, bowed our heads, and prayed to the
Almighty for thanksgiving and a blessing to all of our
batchmates including those who are ill, deceased, and in
need. Then there was a time to just stand in awe of the
majesty of creation to let the barren but beautiful panorama
and the clear blue sky sink in our minds and spirits.
 The
main objective was sought and the rest of the day was
dedicated to short hikes after eating delicious tuna
sandwiches prepared by John with sliced apples on the side.
Ron had to go ahead for work as there was absolutely no
phone signal from the Nevada-California border and in all of
Death Valley . I was a bit concerned about our Anchorwomen,
Marina and Letty who were vigilant in expecting live
reporting. We truly thank them for being with us in spirit
and apologize for the inconvenience. We had visited Scotty's
castle, Ubehebe volcanic crater, Zabriskie point, and lastly
the salt flats of Badwater basin, the geographical lowest
point.
And the lessons learned from this expedition? That there are
brave souls and kind souls all belonging to our old high
school willing to hold each others' hands across the globe.
That when you commune with nature, you find yourself and
rediscover God all over again. That one has one life to live
and one shot at making every moment count. That we need to
be tolerant of differences and remember that all are equal
in the eyes of the Creator. That we should be reminded of a
child's uninhibited enthusiasm to live life to the fullest.
That although we sweat, we should never sweat the irrelevant
things that stress us. And that God will always take care of
us. All we need to do is believe.
This sacrifice is dedicated by the MIT to Winnie Francia who
returned to the everlasting valley of our Lord on the same
occasion. We end our story with a quote from Psalm 23:4 -
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of
death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod
and Your staff, they comfort me." We are indeed one in
spirit. God bless us all fellow Thomasians.
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