In any remarkable undertakings sacrifices are always made that are often drowned by the triumph, - and the Call to Save the Mountains of the World was no exception. Hours before a multitude of people gathered at the country’s highest summit for the historic call, - a human saga that almost marred the event took place that put courage; determination, human endurance and strong belief to save mountains into extreme test. The tedious months of preparations weakened stamina of John Ryan Largo, HDI Chairperson and his staff prior to the climb who were expected to climb the peak in one day instead of the normal 2-day ascent from the designated jump off site at PNOC Geothermal Plant.

The HDI Vanguard Corps contingent led by Marnellie Millanes, Nelson Sollano and Maya Vanderbroecke left for the peak before sunrise on February 24, 2005 (a day prior to the event) as to ensure that they reach the summit hours before dusk and be able to brief call participants. Joining them were representatives from UNDP-UNV, NYC, JOCV and others from Manila. A few kilometers behind them was the HDI Founder accompanied by three HDI Vanguard Corps’ veteran climbers Merwin Mingo, Ivy Castilliones and Nelmar Millianes. Halfway on the climb, the Founder started to vomit due to "stress ulcer" as he trudged the steep mountainous trail under the piercing heat of the sun. His companions went to his aid and supported him as he laboriously climbed in pain where every step siphoned his energy that forced them to stop and rest frequently. With the pace they were moving Merwin anticipated a night approach to the summit, - a situation that most climbers dreaded, for it will expose climbers to dangers; temperature that can abruptly drop to zero and cold gale howling winds that usually battered the peak at night.

HDI contingent reached the peak hours before dusk and unknown to them was the knowledge that their Founder and his 3 companions were far behind and in serious trouble. Despite weakened strength and agonizing pain, the Founder was determined to reach the peak. Midway to the peak as they scaled thick undergrowth came in haste 10 rescuers carrying a person on a stretcher down the mountain that needs medical help. Merwin immediately talked to the rescuers and requested them to come back to assist the group who was already suffering of exhaustion.

After a long and tedious climb they were able to get out from the thick underbrush to an open area, - marking the final approach to the summit that usually took two hours to traverse. But this time it’s different because the situation has changed; - the founder’s physical condition has deteriorated and his companions’ stamina has waned after long struggle to assist him climbed that far. Worst it was getting dark and they have to maneuver the almost a kilometer of muddy precipitous sloop before reaching the rock boulders that will lead them to the summit. Unknown to them that said patch of land has been cleared for tree planting earlier and for two consecutive days hundreds of climbers passed this area mashing it into a muddy and slippery slope where one wrong step can send one sliding below to death. As they started to scale, they immediately came to realize that every step was tricky, laborious and took time that found them often sliding as they lost grip or balance. It was not the usual climb that they do having climbed the mountains many times, this time it was unfolding to become a nightmare that found them fighting for their lives as they pushed or pulled their leader up! They have more than to bear under such situation and suddenly the temperature dropped to almost zero accompanied by rain and gale winds that aggravated their predicament. By 8 in the evening and three hours behind their expected time of arrival at the peak they have only covered a short distance and their leader’s condition has deteriorated. His three companions were shivering from cold and near to exhaustion and collapse. Effects of high altitude at 9,000 ft., has also affected them as they laboriously gasped for oxygen in the thin air environment.

The howling winds and the heavy fog made the night looked awry and sinister worst they were relying on intuition and experience in setting direction as they itched forward in darkness towards that small slit opening on the massive rock formation at the peak that would give them access to the summit and the campsite. It was at this point that rescuers whom they met along the trail came in a dash to help. They put harnessed ropes on the Founder and a life line connected to two rescuers ahead who pulled the Founder up while two rescuers stayed on his side to keep him walking and another was pushing his back. It was a tricky maneuver under the cover of darkness and heavy fogs that rescuers also found themselves slipping and falling. Before their eyes a human drama of extreme human endurance was unfolding whom they were both the actors and the audience. Everyone was chilling under the extreme coldness and the Founder in pain can barely walk and was falling into sleep that rescuers have to tap him often to prevent him from sleeping. Hypothermia started to sip and manifest in the group due to extreme coldness as they were not properly clothed for such condition. Then whistles can be heard in a distant under that pit black darkness and glaring head lamps can be seen moving down from the peak as rescue team from the summit scampered to look for the lost group. Using light signals that often obliterated by heavy fog, and whistle the rescuers met the beleaguered group at past 11:00 in the evening who brought hot coffee and meals. The Founder despite his serious condition has never showed signs of giving up – instead his spirit to reach the summit has intensified when he saw the courage and sacrifices made by the rescuers and members of the HDI Vanguard Corps for Peace and Development to come to his rescue so the Call to Save the Mountains of the World can be made into reality. At past one in the morning the group reached the peak’ campsite where a physician rushed to check the Founder’s condition and gave him medication. Through the night Merwin and Ivy kept vigil alternately on the Founder as he slept and at one time they call the doctor noticing breathing difficulties. As they felt the rattling of the tent battered by the howling gale winds outside both gazed point blank as they reminisced the ordeal and the extraordinary determination exhibited by their leader to see things through which he has displayed in many daring activities of the HDI Vanguard Corps. Just barely five hours after the group has sought refuge at the peak campsite, - the HISTORIC CALL TO SAVE THE MOUNTAINS OF THE WORLD was made and unknown to many was the human saga that befell to the person who has conceived the call, his companions and rescuers that almost marred the event.

Commendation:

Because of loyalty and heroic acts displayed by MERWIN MINGO, IVY CASTILLONES, NELMAR MILLANES on those challenging hours they were awarded the most coveted citation, - the Founder’s Citation Award of the Human Development International Vanguard Corps for Peace and Development. The same citation given to ARTHUR ABOGADO and NATNAT LUGAS who has stayed with the Founder at close quarter during the final approach to the peak and his companions in the High Bound Rescue Team for their display of courage and heroism as they stood with the HDI Founder in that death defying ordeal challenge of a lifetime at the peak. The High Bound Rescue Team as a group was also cited. The Human Development International deeply expressed its gratitude for the extraordinary efforts and sacrifices of these young people who have risked their lives on a cause to save mountains. Recognition was also given to MARNELLIE MILLANES, NELSON SOLLANO, and MAYA FLAMINDA VANDERBROECKE for organizing the participants and the program during the call event at the peak.

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