Former President Fidel V. Ramos cited the sterling achievements of Leo Oracion, Erwin “Pastor” Emata and Romeo Garduce for conquering Mt. Everest last month, becoming the first three Filipinos to reach the mountain’s peak at an altitude of 29,035 feet.

Oracion made it first to the peak last May 17, followed by Emata on May 18th and Garduce on May 19th.

Ramos along with sister former Leticia Ramos Shahani formally received the members of the First Philippine Mt. Everest Expedition (FPMEE) led by team leader and former Transportation Undersecretary Art Valdez, Jong Narciso, JB Añonuevo, Fred Jamili and Dr. Ted Esguerra, the country’s lone altitude physician, at the Ramos Peace and Development Foundation office in Makati the other day.

“In many ways, I like to regard the achievement of our three Filipino mountaineers as a symbol of our own capabilities as a people: that any ambition, any aspiration, any dream — no matter how lofty or insurmountable to attain it may seem — can be realized if we have the dedication and determination to pursue it to the end,” Ramos said.

For his part, Valdez thanked the former President for his continuing support starting from the time the group launched the FPMEE at the Powerplant in October 2004.

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments