Mt. Everest controversy should now stop - Mindanao solon

House Deputy Speaker for Mindanao Gerry Salapuddin has sought an end to the row over who was the first Filipino mountain climber to have conquered Mt. Everest since the country he said needs to move on and face more pressing problems.

“The euphoria and ecstasy over the mountain climbers’ feat is no longer a sensational issue to us who are more concerned with the hike in petroleum products, goods particularly food and grocery items, the continued disturbance and destabilization efforts of those who cannot accept defeat and the Arroyo presidency, the state of our education and other major issues are more relevant concerns to discuss than the issue of who got first to the top of Mt. Everest,” Salapuddin said.

Salapuddin said the claim of Mt. Everest climber Dale Abenojar that he reached the summit ahead of Leo Oracion and Pastor Emata and the refutation of Dr. Ted Esguerra, the physician of the first Philippine Mt. Everest expedition team are of no consequence.

“As Filipinos, even if their respective quests are supported by different sponsors, they must stop claiming and disclaiming the glory over each other,” said Salapuddin.

The Basilan lawmaker said while the climbers’ solid spirit and firm determination to reach the peak of the world’s highest mountain is enviable, they must bear in mind that it is not a question of who arrived at the summit first.

“It’s more of their endurance and capacity to reach the top. But they must not forget that ultimately what goes up, goes down,” said Salapudin.

Unless the spirit of conquering Mt. Everest is not instilled and put into belief that Filipinos can be at par or can surpass others and practice this belief, Salapuddin said any expedition or individual decision to climb Mt. Everest will have no significance.

“It will only be serving the pride and ego of those mountain climbers who consider Mt. Everest climbing as mere sports or hobby to them,” said Salapuddin. (PRESS RELEASE)