GMA7 Everest team, Phil. Team help save Indonesian climber

The GMA 7 Everest team, who are covering Romi Garduce's attempt to become the first Filipino to reach the summit of the world's highest mountain, and the Philippine Team, who are also trying to reach Mt. Everest's peak, joined forces Friday to save the life of a sick Indonesian mountaineer. Reporter Jiggy Manicad, head of the GMA Everest team, reported that they were on their way to the Everest Base Camp when they met the Philippine Team in the town of Namche Bazar. While Bubuy Bacosa and Dennis Mariano, both from the GMA7 system engineering department, were conversing with members of the Philippine Team, a group of foreign mountaineers called for help to save an Indonesian climber suffering from acute mountain sickness, a potentially life-threatening condition if left unattended. Manicad said when they found Indonesian mountaineer Amalia, she was so weak and dizzy that she could not even stand up. Dr. Ed Esguerra of the Philippine Team immediately examined Amalias’s condition and performed first-aid, assisted by Bacosa and Mariano. Leo Oracion from the Philippine Team lent his body bag to Amalia so she could take a rest and warm her body. Later, a Sherpa returning to Base Camp also requested medical assistance. On Friday’s live update on the Mt. Everest expedition, Manicad reported that Romi Garduce went back to Camp 3, found 24,000 feet above sea level, with his guide Lhakpa Norbu Sherpa, as part of his acclimatization training for the thin air in trek to Mt. Everest's peak. Meanwhile, Garduce used his rest time to familiarize himself with the small satellite communications tool that he will use to transmit photos and videos to GMA 7 in Manila. –GMANews.TV