The 1st Philippine Everest Expedition succeeded in sending the very first Filipinos to the summit of Mt. Everest this climbing season.

This brings the two nations to a closer understanding and enhance further people to people contact. The successful Everest Expedition will also enhance the image of Nepal in Philippines and will encourage more tourists from Philippines to Nepal.

32–year old Heracleo Oracion reached the summit of the world's highest mountain on the May 17 at around 3:30 pm (Nepal Time). Oracion was part of the first group to summit Mt. Everest from the Nepal side this season. He reached the summit late in the afternoon because the fixed lines from the balcony to the summit has not been set. Oracion was with high–altitude guid Pemba Chotti Sherpa.

The following day, May 18, 33–old Erwin "Pastour" Emata made it to the summit at 5:20 am. (Nepal time). Emata, a resident of Davao City in the Southern Philippines was with hi high–altitude guid Lakpa Gyalzen Sherpa. Oracion and Emata returned to Everest Base Camp together on May 19.

Expedition Team Leader former Transportation and Communication Vice Minister Arturo Valdez said the historic accomplishment hopes to show that Filipinos can achieve the impossible if they unite and set their mind to it.

Aside from the two Filipinos who climbed Everest, six other memebers of the team climbed Imja Tse or Island Peak this May. The team is also scheduled to climb Cho Oyu in August. This is in preparation for the whole team's so–called "Unity Climb" in 2007, where the team will climb Mt. Everest simultaneously from both the Nepal and Tibet side. Next year's clim bill also attempt to put the first ASEAN woman on the summit of Everest.