Kin, neighbors pray for success, safety of Filipino mountaineers

Like the family of Filipino mountaineer Romi Garduce, the families of two other Filipino mountaineers aiming to reach the summit of Mt. Everest continue to pray for their kin’s safe return from their historic journey this month. GMA’s 24 Oras met with families and neighbors of mountaineers Leo Oracion and Erwin ‘Pastor’ Emata in their hometowns in the southern Philippines to hear their views. Emata hails from Tagum City in Davao del Norte, and Oracion, 35, lives in Barangay Cubacub in Mandaue City in Cebu. Oracion and Emata, both members of the First Philippine Mt. Everest Expedition, are among the four Filipinos aiming to be the first to reach Mt. Everest. Another Filipino, Dale Abenojar, is an independent mountaineer who joined a 15-member international expedition early this year. Emata’s wife Mary Ann told GMA News that the climber asked her during their phone conversation over the weekend to pray for his safety. “We offered mass for him last Sunday for his safety," said Mary Ann, also a mountaineer. Emata forecasts he would reach the summit before the week ends, Mary Ann said. The climber left the Base Camp of Mt. Everest on May 14 to begin his summit assault. Emata left for Nepal in February to prepare for his mission. He had been climbing mountains in New Zealand, Pakistan, and Australia since 2003 as part of his training for Mt. Everest. Mary Ann admitted she occasionally gets jealous of her husband’s passion for adventure, especially mountain climbing. “Madalas, mas inaalala pa niya ang pag-akyat ng bundok," she said. But she said she would be the first one to bask in pride once her husband reaches the world’s ceiling. “I would first thank Jesus for guiding him and bringing him safely." Several neighbors also asked Emata to make them proud to be among the first Filipinos to plant the country’s flag on Mt. Everest. Oracion’s friends in Barangay Cubacub, Mandaue City, wished him luck. A relative said their surname is now well-known in their city and other nearby cities because of Oracion’s accomplishments. His wife Angel is reportedly in Dubai together with their 7-year-old child Kim. Oracion has been recognized for his involvement in different outdoor sports such as biking, running, swimming, kayaking, and mountain climbing. He has participated in international adventure races, such as the AXN Challenges in different parts of Asia, and a 10-day expedition race in New Zealand. As of press time Oracion is also resting at Camp 2, about 21,300 feet above sea level. Oracion and Emata, together with FPMEE member Karina Dayondon, reached the 24,758-foot Mt. Muztagh Ata at the China-Pakistan border in August 2005. GMANews.TV