MANILA, Philippines - During the 1920’s, an English mountaineer was once quoted as having replied to the question, “Why do you want to climb Mount Everest?” with the retort, “Because it’s there.”
And with that, the most famous three words in mountaineering were immortalized.
With the same spirit that has fuelled thousands of backpackers the world over, mountain climber Romi Garduce is off to ascend his last of the illustrious Seven Summits that will ultimately lead to a first-ever feat for a Filipino to be part of an elite circle of climbing enthusiasts.
Having scaled Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa; Mt. Aconcagua in Argentina; Mt. Everest in Nepal; Mt. Elbrus in Russia; Mt. McKinley or Denali Peak in North America; Mt. Kosciuszko in Australia; and Mt. Carstensz Pyramid in Indonesia — all in less than a decade — Garduce is set to plant the Philippine flag once again. This time, atop the last of the world’s Seven Summits, Vinson Massif .
Standing at 16,067 feet, Vinson Massif is the highest mountain in the Antarctic Region.
And with barely a month to go before his climb, Garduce plunges deep beneath the Philippine seas in Bauan, Batangas for an underwater episode of GMA’s Born to be Wild — Philippine television’s pioneering wildlife and environmental show that airs every Wednesday night after Saksi.
In the episode, Garduce and his team dove 60 feet below surface level and planted artificial coral reefs to help preserve marine life on this side of the country’s waters. Garduce’s ecological involvements are proof to his commitment to promote environmental awareness. He describes his efforts to having given him a sense of “undefined fulfillment.”
For Garduce, being able to preserve the environment can very well be the most important perk that resulted from his love of traveling. For him, backpacking, underwater diving and saving the environment is definitely “a lifestyle.”
This December, catch Garduce’s bid to summit Vinson Massif in the GMA News and Public Affairs special, Pito Para Sa Pilipino: The Seven Summits Expedition, and get exclusive updates in all GMA and GMA News TV newscasts and bulletins.