“As a mountaineer and sportsman, you will always yearn to scale greater heights despite the physical risks and the insurmountable challenges ahead of you. Climbing the Mount Everest is not only having the glory of reaching the highest point on earth, but it is a way of showing the human spirit of perseverance and determination to achieve what is perceived to be the impossible.” said Mr. Art Valdez, Expedition Leader of the 1st Philippine Mt. Everest Expedition.

Mount Everest was formed about 60 million years ago, and is the highest mountain on Earth, 29,035 ft (8850m) as measured by the height of its summit above sea level. The mountain, which is part of the Himalaya range in High Asia, is located on the border between China and Nepal. The conditions on the mountain are so difficult that most of the corpses have been left where they fell; some of them are easily visible from the standard climbing routes.

The plan to reach the summit of Mt Everest was conceptualized around 25 years ago by Art Valdez but he didn’t push through for he found no purpose to do the climb during that time. By October 2003, the group had already materialized and by March 2004, the group was then officially launched.

With intense training, perseverance, selflessness, unity and a dream, Leo Oracion, Erwin “Pastor” Emata and Art Valdez were able to conquer and reach the summit with flying colors and brought honor to the Philippines. Showing every Filipino, that is, if we all work in unity and with love for our country, we can build a better Philippines.

The climb was then followed by Carina Dayondon, Janet Belarmino and Noelle Wenceslao as the First Filipina women to conquer the summit. It only shows that race, age or gender is not a hindrance for one to make a difference.

DAIGDIG PINOY (DP): Why did you climb the Mt. Everest?
Art Valdez: “One, for personal reason, because it is there. Two, collective, we want to showcase what Filipinos can do. We came from a tropical country, with no snow and ice, but we were able to conquer the Everest without any casualties or death amongst the group. Not because we are strong, but because everybody played his role well, it’s like an orchestra, everybody should work together to play a beautiful symphony.”

DP: How did you prepare for this climb?
Leo: “After realizing that we need a lot of money to cover the expenses, at first we are doubtful that we will be able to attain the summit due to financial problems. But when we went to Manali India for our intense training, that is the only time we realized, this is it, we are truly going to climb Mt. Everest. We started our training around September 2004”

DP: How long have you been a mountaineer?
Pastor: “Since I was around 8 years old because I grew up at the foot of Mount Apo, so I am used to climbing mountains at a very young age, so I am used to it.”
Janet: “I joined a mountaineering club way back in college, that’s where it all started for me.”

DP: How did you come about to join this team?
Pastor: They chose from about a number of mountaineers, and after screening and training, they only chose 12 until there’s only 8 of us left.
Carina: You do not have to be the best, you should be able to work with a team and be able to attain the 3C’s – Compatibility, Commitment and Capability.
DP: Worst scenario and situation during the climb:
Carina: “There came a time that we felt so tired, but because we were able to go through a lot of hardships to look for sponsors to cover our expenses, the intense trainings that we already had, setting aside our personal plans and carriers for this event, made it hard for us to give up so easily, and also, with the encouragement from the group, that helps motivates us more, and because we really want to show our purpose that whatever is impossible, is possible if we just help one another to reach the goal.”

DP: Best challenge faced:
Pastor: “Emotional challenge. Having to spend most of my time in the training, no work, no source of income and no time for the family is hard. Not being able to be recognized by your own child is heartbreaking.”
Janet: “My family worried so much that all they can do for us at the moment of our climb is prayer.”

DP: How do you suggest for the Filipino people to unite?
Carina: “For us, mountaineering is what we know best, and the only way we can show and set an example how important and powerful unity is all about. So, whatever field you are in, whether you are working in an office, government or in a family, each person should do his role and help each other out. Setting your own personal agendas aside and try to work as a team. Though each person has his own specialty and individuality, we can work together to reach a common goal whatever field you might be in. The key is: Perform where you are, do the thing that you know and do your role.
Janet: “We have conquered more than the Everest. Because we are able to show that though we are just ordinary people and me as a new mom, were able to unite and attain our goal. We need to have sacrifices and set aside our personal agendas to attain a common goal. This is the only way we know how to convey the message and build the spirit of unity amongst the Filipino.”

DP: What is the key of your success?
Dr. Ted Esguerra: “Unity, trust and great leadership. We prayed together despite of our religious differences because when we were up there in Mt. Everest, there is only one God. We help each other, like one family, if one is weak, I carried their bags for them. We took care of each other.”

DP: What is your message to the people?
Janet: “Being a new mom, it did not hinder me to be part of this team. Every Filipina have to believe in herself and believe in your dreams, because you can achieve it. Every Filipina are talented, and you have to be proud of yourself, do not let other people look down on you or your capabilities. We are world class summiteers and we have proof , we are extra ordinary people. Believe in yourself, because you’re a Filipino, Pinay ka, Pinay tayo!”

Carina: “As an ordinary citizen and as a mom, this is the only way we can show, na pag tayo ay nag sama-sama (if we work together), meron tayong makakamtan mataas pa sa Mount Everest (We will be able to attain things much higher than Mt. Everest). Let us continue, to bring back the spirit of unity, and bring faith na ang mga Pilipino ay magagaling!”

Leo: “Believe in yourself, and reach for your dream, keep believing. Na kaya nating marating anumang Mt. Everest ang dumating sa buhay natin, walang makakahadlang. (We will be able to overcome whatever kind of Mt. Everest comes our way). Like us, we thought Mt. Everest is impossible but we kept the dream alive in our hearts. Reach for your dream, and work for it and find a way to attain it.”

Noelle: “Huwag mawawalan ng pagasa sa sarili, (Don’t’ loose hope) at sa bansa (and your country), for we can achieve whatever we aim for with teamwork and unity”

Pastor: “Great works are performed not by strength but by perseverance”

Art Valdez: “We are gifted and talented people. We have to believe in ourselves, not only in this endeavor but in any problems that we face. Compared to other countries, ours is like paradise. Look at Boracay, you cannot find a place like that. If you look around the shorelines, trees grows up on rocks, you cannot find that in the Himalayas. If the Filipino community can put their act together, they can do anything. We can achieve greater heights, more than Mt. Everest, we can show the world, KAYA NG PINOY! KAYA NG PINAY!”

The group has only one purpose: To show every Filipino that if we learn to love our country and work in unity, we can build a better Philippines, we can build a better life for the Filipino children, we can build a better tomorrow for every Filipino. Selfishness will bring us nowhere.

What is life for these great mountaineers after the climb? They have the responsibility to continue to deliver the message. – To unite the Filipino people, to learn to work together, and to love the Philippines.

Congratulations Philippine Mt. Everest Team! Mabuhay Kayo!