Encounter with the Female Everest Summiteers

Encounter with the Female Everest Summiteers
(June 18,2007 - Monday)

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Yesterday, my cousin Ate Cathy and I went to SM Manila to buy some stuffs. As we were strolling along the activity area, we noticed a wall climbing activity and from reading the signboards hanging above, I can tell this is one of the Everest Team's series of Mall tours. After we bought our stuffs and munching some Japanese foods, we're set to go home. As we passed along the center, which is the Activity center, we sensed there is an ongoing activity, different from the previous one we had seen 2 hours ago. Interested and curious, I convinced my cousin to see one more time what was going on . When we reached the ground floor, indeed the 3 Pinay Everest Summiteers were there with familiar faces like Leo Oracion and Dr. Ted Esguerra.

For a mountaineer like me, I can't help but stop and listen for what they have to say. Normally for similar gatherings like that which always happen on malls during weekends, I would just pass by, listen for a minute or two, then disappear. But this time, it was different. It was something that is close to my heart, something I can really relate to --- mountaineering. Thank God my good-hearted cousin never complained about it. She even teased me to ask questions, which I was considering at that time. Of course I have lots of questions, but would these great mountaineers answer all of them, including some stupid childish questions? Haha, I sighed about that thought. I really wanted to ask questions, but I was quite worried with the crowd and with the videos and cameras roaming around that area. "Damn, without those cameras and ruck, I would have thrown a series of questions already", I complained to myself in silence.

While the host was entertaining some questions inside the "fence", I was silently composing my own question or rather sets of questions.... After a minute or two, after the host asked if there are any questions, I tensely raised my hand. And there I threw my questions. "Good afternoon. First and foremost, congratulations to the 3 Pinay mountaineers", I felt relaxed after that initial statement, as if I was delivering a speech (good thing, I realized I was not)... Still holding the mic, I moved on with my question, "My question would be for all the 3 Pinay mountaineers... How were you able to acclimatize and how many cold mountains have you climbed before you can say that you were ready for Everest? And my next question is for Noelle Wenceslao ... I've watched the show of Abner Mercado ... you experienced pulmonary edema ... can you tell us about it and how did you continue going to the summit? Thank you." Realizing I was asking too many a question, I just gave a simple smile to the summiteers. Noelle was quick in answering the question about her situation during that time but she gave the floor to Dr. Esguerra for the detailed explanation. The respectable doctor came in the rescue and tried to explicate in lay man's term. Before he answered my question, he threw in some comments and queries on me. Quoting verbatim from Dr. Esguerra, "That was quite an interesting question. Are you a mountaineer?" After affirming his query by giving him a nod, he then continued " Ah kaya pala kase you know some mountaineering terminologies..." Satisfied with the information, he carried on with his explanation. Quoting verbatim again from Dr. Esguerra, "If you are here and you have pulmonary edema, you will be in ICU. It's second to heart attack in terms of ..." Nodding while intently listening to his statement and further explanations about the sickness and the team's effort of providing the needed medical care for the mountaineers, I knew he did his best as the expedition's doctor and suddenly realized this edema thing is really deadly. But how come he did not stop her, how come he did not decide and convince her to abort her summit attempt (though she had recovered from it after going back to the camp and took medications), I begin to question him. His succeeding words struck me the most, "It was a risk that I allowed her to go on. Some questioned me why I did that. But Noelle's mother died and she has a father waiting for her at the base camp. These girls have been like my children .. and I knew Noelle... she has a heart of a soldier..." That statement nailed it all... It was a convincing answer. This doctor had earned my admiration prior to the encounter (based on what I saw and read on news reports), and this time he had earned my respect for such a moving decision. He then gave the next floor to the other Pinay summiteers. Janet gave some additional thoughts and I can't remember (I was still in awe) if they gave a concrete answer on my first question on the cold mountains.

After some questions from the crowd and few statements from the other support group members, I asked the host if we could still ask questions, she nodded. Finally and ending her statement with, "Ok for the final question..." She then looked at me and gave me the mic. I accented my final question to the Pinay summiteers again, " For the final question, to the Pinay summiteers, what advice would you give to other female mountaineers who wishes to conquer Everest? What sort of training aside from mental strength, spiritual strength would be needed specifically physical preparedness? " I sounded as if I have plans of conquering Everest anytime soon -- heheh (While writing this, I just smiled at the thought especially when I remember Ericki, a friend and fellow IM13, asked Ronnie, also a friend & fellow IM13, about who will be climbing Everest from Group 13 and the latter without much hesitation, answered and muttered in jest --"Tina" )...

Dr. Esguerra replied with some biological thoughts relating to bodily structure of both women and men and how to manage and address these issues. Carina and Janet gave their individual advices after that, summarizing it to their years of physical training and preparation, and adding spiritual strength & group support as main elements of their success. The host then instructed the crowd to line up for the autograph signing. After my cousin and I bought Sandugo post cards for them to sign up, we lined up for the autograph signing. I must admit it was my first time, ever, for an autograph signing. I didn't care much of what people will say. I was there facing the people I highly regarded and admired for in a sport that has endeared me for 3 years, and there is no turning back. When Janet looked at me, she beamed and asked me if I was the one asking earlier. After saying a radiant YES, she then asked my name and penned her simple and amusing message, "Salamat sa mga tanong", then signed her name. She then gave the card to Carina who was sitting beside her and added, "Siya ung kaninang nagtatanong.." Carina, with a reassuring and humble smile asked me of my group and then wrote her message after I mumbled, "MFPI IM13". Noelle, who was waiting for the card while Carina finished it with her signature asked me again of where group I belong and with a simple smile, I replied back "MFPI." I then positioned myself at the back and requested my cousin to take pictures of me with them. Giving back the favor, I also took pictures of her with them. Moving on with the other support group at the other side of the table, I have requested Larry, Dr. Esguerra and Leo Oracion to sign at my back (on my blue haltered beaded blouse). My cousin took pictures of me again. I concluded my "escapade" by shaking Dr. Esguerra's and Leo's hands with parting words "Great job" and "Congratulations." With excitement still reeling on me, my cousin and I then went home laughing all the way.

On a final note, I am up to now still excited about the whole experience. But my emotions are not just limited to my own personal joy of meeting these people. It may have been a chance encounter -- or a coincidence but it has its own purpose. Maybe not to me as spectator but as a mountaineer and a woman. They have awakened in me a sense of being empowered as a woman and as a mountaineer. And until this writing, I revered them not just because they have reached the summit, but because their conquest spoke loudly of so many things. Apart from having been the first ASEAN women to conquer Everest and the first women to do a traverse which was a feat, hard enough to surpass, these women brought new hope, strength and empowerment to us. Their conquest spoke highly of virtues and values such as faith in God, patriotism, excellence, courage, determination, hardwork, bravery, perseverance, discipline, teamwork and love. Their acts were great. Moreso remarkable because they are not just ordinary Filipinos, they are part of the so-called "weak" members of society -- the WOMEN. And that what makes them and their success even more REMARKABLE!!!!

To Janet, Carina and Noelle, I commend you all for remarkably exceeding society's expectations of what women can do. Taking from your own slogan, Kung Kaya ng Pinoy, Kaya Din ng Pinay..