Filipino mountaineer in Nepal for Mt. Everest climb

Filipino mountaineer Romeo Garduce on Tuesday expressed excitement on his forthcoming expedition to the world’s highest mountain, Mt. Everest. In a phone interview from Nepal by GMA-7’s 24 Oras, Garduce said he was not afraid of the challenges that he might encounter. “Alam kong mahirap pero alam ko rin kaya kong gawin kapag nando'n na ako. Nasasabik din ako na makarating do'n," Garduce said. The Filipino mountaineer said the climb is a test to his limits. “I keep on challenging my self," Garduce said. He said it would be his fourth time to climb for a cause. “Our country can support my climb by offering donations to some charity as a form of pledge," said the mountaineer. On March 3, 2006, Garduce left the country for Nepal. At 29,035 feet, Mt. Everest is three times the elevation of Mt. Apo, the Philippines' highest mountain at 9,690 feet. Many mountaineers have lost their lives scaling Mt. Everest, which is also known as K2. The mountain has given fame to many who have conquered it in the past. Garduce is the first Filipino who will attempt to climb Mt. Everest. GMA-7 and North Face are among the sponsors of Garduce's climb.-GMANews.TV