Rekindling the Filipino spirit through mountaineering

THE FILIPINO CHAMPION

“THE Philippine Eagle has landed in the summit!” These were the words that cracked in the communications between Leo Oracion, the first Filipino to set foot in the highest mountain, Mount Everest, on May 17, 2006, and their team leader, Art Valdez, in the base camp. After several hours, Art was awakened by another message from their communications system: “Summit to base camp, please come in!” That was 5 in the morning. Valdez heard from Erwin “Pastour” Emata excitedly saying, “Sir, I am at the summit; it’s cold up here!”