Heroes' welcome awaits 3 Pinay Everest trekkers

A “hero’s welcome" awaits Mount Everest climbers Noelle Wenceslao, Carina Dayondon and Janet Belarmino for setting the record as the first Southeast Asian Women to reach the top of the world. The three, all members of the Philippine Coast Guard, are the first women climbers who set a record for doing a traverse climb on Mt. Everest, a feat only a handful of mountaineers had attempted and succeeded. A traverse ascent and decent on Everest is considered doubly difficult. The three crossed the mountain from the north route in Tibet to the south route in Nepal. They reached the Everest’s peak on May 16. Wenceslao was first to summit at 6:10 a.m. Nepal time (8:10 a.m. Manila time). What made her traverse extraordinary was that she succeeded despite reports she had developed acute mountain sickness and pulmonary edema. Dayondon was second at 6:20 a.m. (8:20 a.m. (Manila time). Last, but not least, was Belarmino who reached the top three hours later than Dayondon. Belarmino gave birth five months ago to a baby boy she named Himalaya. She set off to Everest barely three months after giving birth to her first child. “I decided to leave my son for a while. I focused on the mountain. I believe that there was a greater cause behind my decision," said Belarmino in a statement released by the Coast Guard. The expedition team is expected to arrive at the Centennial Airport Terminal 2 at 5 p.m. Thursday on a Philippine Airlines flight from Bangkok, Thailand. A motorcade is scheduled for June 1, Friday, around Manila after which they will pay a courtesy call on President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in Malacanang Palace. They will be accompanied by Secretary Leandro R. Mendoza and the Commandant of the PCG, Vice Admiral Damian L. Carlos. They will also stop over at the Manila City Hall and the headquarters of the PCG on Roxas boulevard. At the PCG headquarters, the three will be accorded a testimonial parade and review. From the rank of Sea Woman 1, the three will be promoted to the rank of Petty Officer Third Class. Expedition leader, former Undersecretary Arturo Valdez will be awarded with the Coast Guard Legion of Honor in the degree of Maginoo – the highest award conferred on a civilian official by the PCG. Lieutenant Ted Esguerra, the team’s physician will also be awarded the Outstanding Achievement Medal. - GMANews.TV