Filipino in ill-fated Mt. Everest climb sought to raise awareness for children with cancer

Engineer Philipp "PJ" Santiago was looking to draw attention to the plight of children with cancer when he set out to climb Mt. Everest, the world's highest peak.

According to Raffy Tima's report on "24 Oras," Santiago also sought to raise awareness for clean water in the Philippines.

“Cure children’s cancer. Climbing Mount Everest is very little compared to the battles these little warriors are facing every day. We aim to give attention and awareness to their plight and for their cause,” Santiago said.

In 2023, he traveled twice to Nepal to acclimate. He climbed to the Everest Base Camp and then went up a smaller mountain to train for ice and snow-climbing.

In April, Santiago returned to Nepal with his cousin Karl Santiago, who served as base camp support staff. He joined a multinational climbing group in the climb of Mt. Everest.

The group was struck last by an avalanche and Santiago suffered injuries to his cheek and briefly lost consciousness. After six days of rest, doctors cleared him to continue the summit push.

He was last seen alive at Camp 4, the final stop before the Everest summit. Santiago was aiming to become the sixth Filipino to reach the top of the 29,000-foot peak.

His remains have not yet been recovered from the mountain. –Sherylin Untalan/NB, GMA Integrated News