2nd Pinoy climber conquers Everest

Mountaineer Erwin "Pastor" Emata became the second Filipino to reach the summit of Mt. Everest, 17 hours after his compatriot, Heracleo "Leo" Oracion, hoisted the Philippine flag on the peak Wednesday and won the nation’s praise.

Emata, 32, a native of Tagum City in Davao del Sur, set foot on the world’s highest peak at 5:34 a.m. (7:34 a.m. in Manila) yesterday, four hours ahead of schedule and ahead of a field of 60 climbers from different expedition teams from all over the world attempting the climb.

First Philippine Mount Everest Expedition leader Arturo Valdez told TV network ABS-CBN from the Everest base camp that Emata had made it at the top. The network giant is among the sponsors of the climb.

Emata followed Oracion who reached the summit at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday using the popular South Col route, the same trail climbed by Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay in 1953.

Cheers erupted among the Filipino members when Emata radioed that he had reached the 29,035-foot summit.

Oracion, 32, was the first Filipino to scale the top Wednesday, according to the organizers and Nepal’s Tourism Ministry.

Reports said his close rival, Romeo Garduce, is well on his way to become the third Filipino to reach Mt. Everest. He is expected to reach the summit today.

Giving way, Emata and a Nepali sherpa left Camp 4 at 9:45 p.m. (11:45 p.m. in Manila), or more than seven hours after Oracion became the first Filipino climber on top of Everest.

Valdez quoted Emata’s first words upon reaching the peak: "Summit to base camp, summit to base camp. Ang ginaw-ginaw dito (It’s so cold up here)."

Valdez stressed the snowy, glacier-filled Mt. Everest is not an especially difficult climb but the weather is more severe than anywhere else in the world, and many lives have been lost while making the ascent.

Emata, on the other hand, was able to join Oracion at Camp 2 yesterday before starting the downhill trek to the base camp early today and meet with the rest of the Filipino team.

"The conquest of the world’s highest peak is a mark of Filipino excellence, perseverance and courage in braving the hard trek of nation-building," President Arroyo said in a congratulatory note.

Mrs. Arroyo likened the journey of Filipino climbers to Mt. Everest to the nation’s quest for political and economic stability.

"I am committed to a vision that will not falter in the face of adversity; and the entire government is also ready to mount the peak in public service," she said.

Vice President Noli de Castro said the feats of Oracion and Emata "showed that no obstacle or trial is insurmountable with the Filipino’s unwavering determination.

"For Romeo Garduce, who is also on his way to the top, your bravery and resolve are equally heroic," De Castro added.

Sen. Manny Villar Jr. also led his colleagues in hailing Oracion and Emata on the historic climb.

"Congratulations are also in order to the other Filipino climbers and members of the First Philippine Mt. Everest Expedition who are continuing their quest to reach the peak of Mt. Everest. Let us continue praying for their safety," Villar said.

Villar, along with Sen. Richard Gordon, filed a resolution commending the Philippine expedition team "for their courage, perseverance, and outstanding feat that has boosted the Filipino’s image in the world."

"Despite the dangers of the climb and a very high risk of death they sought to climb Mount Everest to prove the strength and determination of the Filipino," the Senate resolution stated.

Sen. Pia Cayetano, for her part, said the Everest conquest "is akin to our country winning an Olympic gold."

The climb pitted the country’s largest television networks in a race against each other — ABS-CBN television is a major supporter of Oracion and Emata’s teams, while GMA-7 television backs Garduce.

The networks have been airing regular reports on the progress of their respective teams since they left for Nepal early this year.

Both ABS-CBN and GMA-7 spent heavily on sponsorship deals and deployed on-location crews to provide blow-by-blow accounts as the climbers acclimatized and stored up supplies and provisions on the upper slopes of the 29,028-foot mountain.

And the efforts apparently paid off.

Back home, a welcoming party will be waiting for Emata on the summit of Mt. Apo, the country’s highest peak.

"Of course, there would be a thanksgiving Mass and prayers for their safe climb. But we would also have a party. Maybe we will hold a party at the top of Mt. Apo," said Emata’s wife Mary Anne.

She said it was in Mt. Apo where her husband began honing his climbing skills since the age of 13.

The Ematas reportedly made Mt. Apo their home after the veteran mountaineer himself lost count of the number of times he had climbed the 9,691-foot mountain.

On the other hand, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said both Oracion and Emata will be promoted as a reward for conquering the world’s highest peak.

PCG commandant Vice Admiral Arthur Gosingan hailed the two members of the Philippine team who are also Coast Guard draftees.

Apart from Oracion and Emata, the three other PCG draftees who are also part of the Philippine expedition team are Noelle Wenceslao, Janet Belarmino, Karina Davondon and team physician Ted Esguerra.

Gosingan said he had ordered the PCG to prepare a special welcome celebration for Oracion and Emata. - AP, AFP, Paolo Romero, Pia Lee-Brago, Marvin Sy, Edith Regalado, Rainier Allan Ronda, Rikki Magno