Marine scientist Onda is first Filipino to reach Earth’s third deepest spot
Dr. Deo Florence L. Onda, a microbial oceanographer of the Marine Science Institute of the University of the Philippines (UP MSI), made history for being the “first Filipino and one of the first humans” to descend to Emden Deep, the third deepest spot on earth, in the Philippine Trench.
The area is part of the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), prompting Onda to raise the country’s flag and exclaimed “Atin ito [This is ours]!”
Science Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña, acknowledging “another Filipino making a historic,” said in his Facebook account: “We at the DOST [Department of Science and Technology] are glad to hear this achievement. Mabuhay ang mga siyentipikong Pilipino [Long live the Filipino scientists]!”
He said Onda is a long-term Balik Scientist of the Dost-philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural resources research and Development.
On its web site, UP MSI said Emden Deep is is 10,540 meters below sea surface.
To illustrate the depth of the area, UP MSI said: The highest mountain in the Philippines is Mount Apo standing at 2,956 meters above sea level. The highest mountain on Earth is Mount Everest standing at 8,849 meters above sea level.
“A Filipino scientist reached depths greater than Mount Everest’s height. Truly a proud moment for the Philippines!” the UPMSI said.
The March 22 to 28 expedition was made in collaboration with Caladan Oceanic, a private company that develops undersea technology. Onda was invited by Caladan Oceanic, founded by Victor Vescovo, who holds the record for the deepest manned descent into the Marianas Trench in 2019.
On the UPMSI Facebook page, a video from DSSV Pressure Drop showed Onda and Vescovo plunged into the Emden Deep on board deepsea submersible DSV Limiting Factor.
In the video, the Businessmirror heard Vescovo pointing out that it was the “first crew descent in the bottom of the Philippine Trench, at the Emden Deep, the deepest point in it.”
Onda then exclaimed: “I’m very honored to be part of this trip. Sa mga Filipino, ito po ang Emden Deep. Atin ito [To the Filipinos, this is Emden Deep. This is ours]!” The two raised the Philippine flag.
Another video from DSSV Pressure Drop, titled “Touchdown @10,045 meters!”, showed its staffmembers burst into clapping when the touchdown of the DSV Limiting Factor into the deep was announced.
The video said: “Depth 10,045 meters, life support good, at bottom, at bottom. Congrats!”
UPMSI quoted Onda as saying: “I hope that the Filipino people will be able to share in my experience of the Emden Deep. I want them to appreciate and understand that this unstudied and unknown region is an extension of their marine heritage. I would also like to think that this feat was realized in recognition of the contributions of the Filipino scientists, and that we can all accomplish great things given proper support and recognition.”
The UPMSI said deep sea expeditions like this one “are equivalent to the first early flights into outer space, thus, it would be a major record-setting scientific and historic achievement. To date, most of these records are held by foreign scientists or explorers.”
“The Philippine Trench is a unique feature found within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines, and it is only appropriate that a Filipino scientist be one of the first to hold this record in the Emden Deep,” the UPMSI pointed out.
It added that the DSSV Pressure Drop is the only marine vessel in the world capable of launching the deepsea submersible DSV Limiting Factor that can carry humans and repeatedly dive to the deepest parts in the world’s oceans.
Caladan Oceanic has been setting records for deepest manned descents in the world’s deepest trenches, the most recent was in the Marianas in 2019 with Vescovo.
The UPMSI pre-event news release said “part of the goal is to wave the Philippine Flag in the Emden Deep during its record-setting [a nonmarine Scientific research] voyage, highlighting that it is an integral part of our nation’s heritage.”
It added that Onda, as the sole Filipino researcher representing the country, will also be given a unique opportunity to be exposed to stateof-the-art vessels capable of deepsea activities, which can enrich our experiences and knowledge as the Philippines builds its own National Academic research Fleet, an ongoing national project funded by the Philippine government.
“This endeavor can spark interest and passion for many other young Filipinos who would want to make a career in the sciences and bring more attention to the protection, preservation, and conservation of the Philippine marine environment,” UPMSI said.
De la Peña said through the DOSTBALIK Scientist Program, Filipino scientists, technologists and experts are encouraged to return to the country and share their expertise in order to promote scientific, agro-industrial and economic development, including the development of the country’s human capital in science, technology and innovation.