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 Mount Everest is not onlly 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.

The First Philippine Mount Everest Expedition is a big test to show the indomitable spirit of the Filipinos in sportsmanship. It is through this extraordinary feat that the Filipinos can show his perseverance and derermination in achieving a daunting task, that given the focus and direction of energies, the Filipinos can achieve triumph in the midst of extreme challenges.

ART VALDEZ
Expedition Leader
1st Philippine Mount Everest Expedition

 

There is an old piece of wisdom that claims that people climb mountains "because it's there". That is the simplified statement for a very compound truth. "Because it's there" refers to a lofty point on earth that is closest to the heavens- and scaling its apex generally rewards the climber with a profound spiritual experience. That rush, the spiritual "oneness" with the universe is universally felt, and craved for, by mountaineers- as such, they are driven to endure, and overcome even extreme physical adversity to prevail.

The First Philippine Mount Everest Expedition will spearhead the drive to aspire for, and eventually achieve, the coveted "oneness" for the Filipino people. Conquering the world's tallest peak poses extreme demands; to triumph, desire, focus, determination, perseverance and energy are mandatory- to these, further add singularity and unity of purpose.

Filipinos already routinely display most of these traits during the course of their daily lives. His indomitable spirit prevails even during the most trying times. Adversity is no stranger; his remarkable resiliency and dogged determination admired worldwide. The aggressive rekindling of the touted Bayanihan spirit of the Filipino will stoke the fires of cooperation and unity- a "oneness" as well.

Sir Edmund Hillary could never have climbed Mt. Everest on his own. Tenzing Norgay and his band of intrepid Sherpas collectively provided the crucial support for the nobleman to achieve the difficult feat. So it is with the Philippine Expedition- Mt. Everest can only be conquered when Filipinos collectively become unto Sherpas.

The future fluttering of the Philippine flag on Mt. Everest will symbolize the Filipinos collective effort at scaling the imposing mountain. That day will mark a rebirth of national pride and with it, a worldwide understanding of the word Bayanihan.