PREPARATION
We were given a fascinating insight into the preparation required for such a feat. Art Valdez, leader and doctor for the ladies’ expedition, told us that the preparation took 3 years. Training was tough and was carried out both in the Philippines on Mount Apo as well as further afield in New Zealand, Pakistan, Alaska and China. Far tougher than the training was the soliciting for funds. People just didn’t take them seriously; what was a group of people from a tropical country doing even thinking of climbing Everest? However, persistence paid off, and they eventually got enough sponsorship to pay for their costs which included $21,000 for permits. During this preparation period the team received neither a salary nor an allowance.

Once in Nepal they spent 2 months acclimatizing and were carefully monitored by Art whose job was to ensure that the climbers were in the best of physical shape. As Jeanette had given birth to "Himalaya" just 5 months before the ascent, Art had to assess whether she was fit for the climb. Jeanette also had to make one of the toughest decisions of her life, whether to stay at home with her newborn baby or to continue with the climb. She came to the decision that by continuing with the climb she was doing something for her baby because the Philippines is her baby’s future. Art also had to take care of Noelle, the third lady, who fell ill from mountain sickness and pulmonary edema, but thankfully she recovered and was able to continue.

THE FINAL PUSH
Once acclimatized and pronounced to be fit, the girls had to wait for a window of opportunity when the winds might abate sufficiently to enable them to make an attempt on the summit. Back at base camp, Art played a crucial role; reduced oxygen at high altitudes impairs brain function, and so it is the leader’s job to make the final decision about when to make the final push. News came through that good weather was forecast for May 15th and the morning of the 16th and Art gave the go-ahead for the final climb of 2,000 feet to the summit.

At 9pm on the 15th, climbing with lamps on their heads to light their way, the 3 women set off for the summit, aiming to arrive early on the morning of 16th. Not only were they aiming to be the first Filipinas to climb Everest, but they were attempting a traverse. This involved ascending in Tibet and descending in Nepal. Because of the traverse, Art was at the base camp they had left in Tibet, whilst Leo was waiting for them at a base camp in Nepal.

At 6.10 am on the 16th, Noelle reached the summit, followed by Carine 10 minutes later. Then there was an agonizing wait until Jeanette reached the summit. Why did it take her so long? Well, to quote a well-known saying, "It’s traffic!" Yes, even on Everest there can be as many as 50 to 60 people close to the top, all jostling for position on the 7 square meters that is the summit.

THE DESCENT
Were they euphoric as they stood on top of the world? Well not really, because as Art told us, "To reach the summit is optional, coming down is mandatory". The descent was more difficult and dangerous than the ascent because they were not retracing their steps. Other climbers, anxious to get down the mountain quickly, suffering from exhaustion and oxygen deficiency can be a potential hazard, in fact 80% of fatalities occur on the descent.

It took the women 2 days to descend, and it wasn’t until 3.30pm on May 18th that the 3 Filipinas saluted their expedition leader who by this time had traveled from Tibet to Nepal. It was only then that Art felt he could release his emotions.

SACRIFICES
Sacrifices had been numerous, including having to wear the same clothes for 3 months, (continued on page 9) during which time they had only been able to take 2 baths! Calls of nature were another problem; whilst there were Portalets in the base camps, as they made their way higher up the mountain the women had to learn how to pee standing up. Other bodily waste had to be collected and taken back down the mountain together with all other rubbish. A charge of $1 per kilo is made for all waste material.

WHY?
The answer to the inevitable "Why?" question was that first and foremost they are mountaineers, but also because they wanted to prove that, with determination, focus and team work they could do it – "Kaya ng Pinay". Finally, they wanted to restore the Filipinos’ faith in themselves and to prove that Filipinos are world class people who can do the unimaginable.

WHAT NOW?
They have come back to the Philippines to share their story and are visiting schools and companies to motivate people. They are also involved in some small projects including environmental advocacy, having seen the retreat of the glaciers for themselves.

CONCLUSION
Throughout the talk the team’s respect for Mount Everest was evident. The local people noted that the Filipinos were the most prayerful team, and felt that they had been "allowed" to successfully climb the mountain by the spirit who they believe lives at the summit.

POST SCRIPT
At the end of the talk we were shown an extremely moving 15 second video of a climber’s final steps to the summit, shot by his Sherpa. This "ad" won a Silver Award in PROMA, a global competition of media promotions for ABS-CBN, their broadcast partner, and was titled "Mountaintop". The message ran: