They planted potatoes in Nepal just to help them get by during the training for Everest.
Although this was during the hype of civil war in Nepal reason why their allowance was difficult to be remitted, still it had boiled down to the hardships in funding these heroes also had to endure.
Imagine that. Most of us would think that Leo Oracion and Pastour Emata could have been living the well-off and glamorous life brought about by mountaineering.
“Kinaibigan namin ang may-ari ng mga lounge para maka-survive. Nagtanim na nga ako ng patatas para mag-survive. Walang maniwala sa akin. They would say, foreigner dapat marami kang pera. Tapos kapag Everest climber ka dun, parang tingin nila sa ‘yo, big-time ka talaga. Sumasama ako sa Sherpa, nagtatanim ng patatas para makalibre lang ng pagkain.” --- Pastour Emata
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| Pastour and Leo after a hard day's training |
If Leo and Pastour should be highly regarded for their heroic feat, the same recognition is due to this exceptional Team Leader who is also a veteran mountaineer and former DOTC Undersecretary.
“In the cabinet meeting, people were telling me ano magpapakamatay ka na or are you nuts? But I was undaunted. In so doing, Filipinos will believe in themselves… You have to do the extra-ordinary.” --- Art Valdez
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| It started off with this man's vision, Expedition Team Leader Art Valdez |
These are just some of their Everest stories many of us still would not be aware of.
Obviously the triumphant feat of the 1st Philippine Mt. Everest Expedition Team has been told practically in every international and local medium. Media hype showcased the drama of the expedition. Much has been foretold about them, primarily focused on the “finished product,” --- the accomplishment of it all.
However, there are so much more to share to the public, the full drama of these heroes’ sacrifice. And believe me, the word sacrifice isn’t just a mere cliché here. We hope after reading this full expository piece, you, just like e-BOTAK, would even more understand and appreciate what they did and why they did it.
Just another write-up NO MORE! Prepare for this NO ORDINARY FEATURE! e-BOTAK is humbly honored to get to know better these sports heroes and feel really AT HOME with them. |
