Climbing Peaks, Sailing Dreams: The Vision and Legacy of Art Valdez
- The Lighthouse Legacy Foundation
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
Original Article by Zed Avecilla
May 18, 2025
We all need to believe our efforts matter, that we can achieve goals that are meaningful, measurable, and real. Whether in our careers, personal lives, or communities, the desire to accomplish something significant and see its impact is deeply human.
Art Valdez understood that better than most.
As the expedition leader of the First Philippine Mount Everest Expedition, Valdez wasn’t just guiding climbers to the top of the world, he was challenging a national mindset. He believed Filipinos had vast, untapped potential. At the launch of his book Live the Dream, he captured the heart of his mission:
“Mount Everest was never just about the summit. It was about belief, courage, and the unshakable will to rise to the top.”
For Valdez, Everest was not simply a peak to conquer but a symbol of what’s possible when we commit to a dream and see it through.
Before Everest, Valdez served as Undersecretary of the Department of Transportation and Communication (1996–2004), and later at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (2016–2017). Years in public service taught him how slow and often frustrating systemic reform can be. That realization sparked the need for a different kind of mission.
“Despite my efforts at effecting change and reforms in government, it’s systemic, it’s very hard,” he said at the launch. “Finally, I told myself: There must be something I can do, something I can look back on and say, ‘I truly accomplished that.’ That’s when the Everest dream came about.”
The Book Launch
I had the privilege of attending the launch of Live the Dream on May 17, 2025, in Rockwell, Makati. The date was no coincidence. It marked the anniversary of Heracleo “Leo” Oracion’s historic ascent of Mount Everest in 2006, the first by a Filipino. He was soon followed by teammates Erwin “Pastor” Emata and Romeo “Romi” Garduce. Exactly a year later, three trailblazing Filipinas Janet Belarmino, Carina Dayondon, and Noelle Wenceslao, also reached the summit, completing the circle of that extraordinary expedition. Together, they made history.
At the book launch, Philippine Coast Guard Commander Carina Dayondon challenged common perceptions: "People often equate Everest with mere physical prowess. But for us, it was a powerful purpose that fueled our climb, the unshakeable belief that Filipinas are capable of reaching any dream we set our hearts on." Her statement powerfully highlighted the deeper significance of their achievement.
The launch wasn’t just a literary event. It was a celebration of courage, discipline, and national pride. Live the Dream isn’t just a story about climbing a mountain. It’s a call to action, a reminder that the impossible becomes possible when purpose, grit, and teamwork align.
My Encounters With Art Valdez
I first heard about Art Valdez in 2018 through his work on the Balangay Expedition. Intrigued, I went to Manila Bay to see the ancient-style wooden boats he had revived. What I found wasn’t a relic project. It was a living vision. This wasn’t about nostalgia. It was a bold reclaiming of Filipino maritime heritage, brought to life by someone who understood both history and mission.
In March 2018, the Balangays made a striking appearance in Subic Bay during the Commodore’s Cup Regatta sailing event.
Even then, before their historic international voyage, they were already stirring hearts. These boats stood as a moving testament to our seafaring legacy, living vessels of pride and identity.
A month later, Valdez and his crew set sail on a voyage that would retrace the ancient journey of the Sultan of Sulu to China in 1417. The 2018 expedition involved three replica Balangays and a crew composed largely of Filipinos, including members of the original Everest team.
Departing from Poro Point in La Union, they crossed the South China Sea and reached Xiamen, China.
It was more than a maritime challenge. It was a symbolic journey of remembrance and cultural assertion.
Several years later, in 2024, Valdez launched his most ambitious Balangay yet: the Florentino Das. Named after the first Filipino to solo-navigate the Pacific, it is the sixth and largest boat that he has built, and the only motorized Balangay, a seamless blend of tradition and innovation.
He sailed the Florentino Das to Pag-asa Island in the contested West Philippine Sea. For Valdez, this expedition was a multifaceted endeavor, skillfully weaving together three crucial purposes: the tangible delivery of much-needed humanitarian aid to the island's residents, a resolute act of reinforcing Philippine sovereignty in the face of external pressures, and a vibrant showcase of the enduring strength and adaptability of Filipino ingenuity on the very waters our ancestors once navigated.
In March 2025, the Florentino Das set course to Subic Bay with Art Valdez on the helm. This time, it wasn’t just for the annual yacht racing event. It was a launchpad for another bold vision. One that speaks directly to my own advocacy: waste management and circular innovation.
The Legacy Voyage: Sailing a Balangay Made of Recycled Plastic
With quality wood becoming scarce and less viable for long-term maritime use, Valdez has set his sights on a bold new challenge: building the first and largest Balangay made from recycled plastics. In a time of mounting plastic pollution, tons of it clogging our landfills and polluting our oceans daily, it’s a radical and urgent vision.
A vessel that doesn’t just sail, it makes a statement. About innovation. About environmental responsibility. About unity and strength in the face of daunting challenges.
Why This Hits Home
Listening to Art Valdez, I felt something deeper than admiration. I felt a connection. I know what it’s like to push for something that matters even when others don’t yet believe in it.
In my own journey, I started by organizing small beach cleanups.
Today, I lead the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Program of the Philippine Alliance for Recycling and Materials Sustainability. It hasn’t always been easy. Convincing people to take action on ocean plastic pollution can feel like shouting into the wind. But like Art, I believe change is possible, even if it’s slow, even if others can’t see it yet.
We just have to keep pushing. Keep climbing. Keep building.
What Drives a Man Like This?
A desire for real impact. A need to make a difference that lasts.
A powerful sense of vision and purpose. Not just for personal achievement, but to rekindle pride, heritage, and hope.
A deep belief in human potential, especially in Filipino excellence.
A resilient, relentless spirit. One that doesn’t stop when the road gets rough.
A hunger for tangible achievement. Wins you can point to. Goals that are real.
A drive to leave a legacy. Not for fame, but for the generations that follow.
Art Valdez is powered by a rare mix of idealism and execution. He doesn’t just imagine a better future; he charts the course, builds the boat, and invites the nation to come aboard.
My Personal Takeaway
From that event, one message rang loudest: the power of shared vision and teamwork.
Valdez emphasized that unity is what makes the impossible possible. It reminded me of bayanihan, our cherished tradition of communal spirit. When we pull together with a common purpose—whether in our families, workplaces, or communities—we go further than we ever could alone.
And that, to me, is what Live the Dream is all about. Not just one man’s journey, but all of ours.
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