Romi Garduce

Romeo Roberto "Romi" Garduce (born 1969 in Balanga, Bataan), sometimes nicknamed as "Garduch," is a Filipino mountain climber, a scuba dive master (since 2000), an environmentalist, writer, motivational speaker and works as an IT professional. He began climbing mountains for a cause in 1991 as a member of the UP Mountaineers. Aside from being a mountain climber and IT professional, he became one of the host for the GMA Network public affair shows Born to Be Wild and Pinoy Meets World.[1] He also hosted the GMA News and Public Affairs special entitled Pito Para sa Pilipino (Seven for the Filipinos) with Richard Gutierrez.[2]

Romi Garduce
Born
Romeo Roberto Garduce

1969 (age 51–52)
Balanga, Bataan, Philippines
NationalityFilipino
Other namesGarduch
OccupationMountaineer, scuba dive master, writer, motivational speaker, TV host, IT professional,
Known forFirst Filipino to climb the Seven Summits
Websitehttp://www.romigarduce.blogspot.com/

Romi wrote and published his first book in October 2013, entitled Akyat! A Filipino's Journey to the Seven Summits. The book chronicled his adventures and major climbs and expeditions. Akyat is a Filipino word that simply means "climb".

After reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in 2002, Garduce became the first Filipino to climb one of the Seven Summits. On September 26, 2005, Romi Garduce became the first Filipino to ascend Cho Oyu, a death zone peak at 8,000 metres (26,000 ft), then the highest mountain peak scaled by a Filipino.[3] That record was broken by Leo Oracion on May 17, 2006 when he was the first to reach the peak of Mount Everest, the highest mountain on Earth, and planted the Filipino flag.[4] Although, The Himalayan Database had included Dale Abenojar in the list of Everest North summiteers on May 15, 2006[5] recognizing him as the first Filipino on top of Mount Everest. Garduce reached the summit of Everest on May 19, 2006. Due to Garduce's feat, he was awarded an Order of Lakandula - Special Class of Champion for Life by then Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo[6][7] as well as one of The Outstanding Young Man (TOYM) of 2006 for his feats and service to community work.[8]

Garduce is the first, and to-date the only Filipino, who has climbed all Seven Summits, or the highest mountains in all continents following both Bass and Messner Seven Summits list.[9]

Biography

Born in 1969, Garduce hails from the municipality of Balanga in the province of Bataan in the Philippines. His father originally comes from Catarman, Northern Samar and worked all his life at Subic. He finished high school at Tomas del Rosario College and graduated Bachelor of Science in Mathematics major in Computer Science from University of Santo Tomas in 1989.[10] He became a mountaineer since joining UP Mountaineers in 1991.[11]

Aside from being a mountaineer, Garduce is a scuba diver master, an environmentalist, writer, motivational speaker,[12] an IT professional and TV host. He works at Procter and Gamble Philippines as systems manager of the financial reporting unit[13] in the P&G office at Petron Megaplaza, Makati City.[14] In 2006, Garduce became one of the hosts for Pinoy Meets World and, in 2007, he became one of the original presenters for the travel and wildlife show Born to be Wild with veterinarian Ferdinand Recio. He appeared at one of the episodes of the children's educational show Art Angel. He also hosted the special entitled Pito Para sa Pilipino (Seven for the Filipinos) with Richard Gutierrez.

In October 2013, Romi launched his first book entitled Akyat! A Filipino's Journey to the Seven Summits at the Bonifacio High Street in Bonifacio Global City. Akyat means "climb" in Filipino. The book tells his mountain climbing adventures and struggles as a mountain climber. He hoped to inspire people through his book.[12] In September 2015, Garduce became a global ambassador for Johnnie Walker[15] and appeared in the said whiskey's commercial. In November 2015, Garduce briefly returned in Born to be Wild as guest host.[16] In the episodes that he appeared, Garduce went to Mount Makiling as part of his training to climb Mount Ama Dablam in the Himalayas.

Initial Seven Summits climbs

On January 1, 2005, he was the first Filipino to climb the highest mountain outside Asia and the highest mountain in the Americas, Mt. Aconcagua, which was then the highest altitude reach by any Filipino. On September 26, 2005, Romi Garduce became the first Filipino to top out an 8000m peak, Cho Oyu, then the highest mountain peak scaled by a Filipino. On May 19, 2006, he climbed the summit of Mount Everest, his third Seven Summits Peak after Kilimanjaro and Aconcagua.

Mount Everest climb

Garduce attempted to reach the peak of Mount Everest in an expedition sponsored by GMA Network concurrently with Leo Oracion's team, the First Philippine Mount Everest Expedition (FPMEE) and principally sponsored by ABS-CBN.[17][18] On the North side of Mount Everest was Dale Abenojar without network sponsor and corporate financial support. On May 19, 2006, Garduce reached the summit of Mount Everest from the south ridge after Leo Oracion and Erwin Emata.[19] However, Mount Everest chronicler Elizabeth Hawley said that another Filipino climber, Dale Abenojar, is the first to summit on May 15, two days before Leo Oración.[20][21] The Himalayan Database published by American Alpine Club had included Abenojar in the list of Everest North summiteers for Spring 2006 on May 15,[5] recognizing him as the first Filipino on top of Mount Everest.

After the Filipinos successfully reached Everest's peak, Sir Edmund Hillary, the first man to step in the peak of Everest, was interviewed by GMA Network in his Auckland home. He congratulated the three Filipino men (Romi, Leo and Erwin) for their determination and gave his greatest respect to the Filipino expedition team.[22] The Himalayan Database published by American Alpine Club had included Romi Garduce in the list of Everest South summiteers for 2006.[23]

Succeeding Seven Summits climbs

On August 25, 2007, Garduce reached the summit of Mount Elbrus (18,510 foot-high or 5,642 meters), Europe's highest peak located in the Caucasus mountain range within Russia's boundaries and the fourth of the Seven Summits that he reached.[24]

On June 6, 2008, 9:30pm Philippine Standard Time, Romi Garduce reached the summit of Denali, Alaska, making his fifth summit among the Seven Summits. Denali is the highest peak in North America. Only three out of their 9-man team made it to the Denali summit. Garduce climbed with a team from the American Alpine Institute (AAI).[25][26]

After Denali, Romi went on the climb Mount Kosciuszko, Australia in 2009 and Carstensz Pyramid, Indonesia in 2011 with another Filipino, Levi Nayahangan. Finally, Garduce completed the climb of the Seven Summits of the seven continents of the world last January 6, 2012 when he reached the peak of Vinson Massif in Antarctica.[27][28]

Climbs in the Philippines

In November 2014, Romi completed his personal quest to "day-climb" Philippines' top five highest peaks, a project he called "5 peaks in 5 days." [29] In 2015, he also climbed Makiling, a mountain in Laguna, Philippines, to prepare for his climb on Mount Ama Dablam in Nepal.[16]

List of mountains climbed
Denali
(6,194 m)
Mont Blanc
(4,810 m)
Elbrus
(5,642 m)
Everest
(8,848 m)
Kilimanjaro
(5,895 m)
Aconcagua
(6,961 m)
Vinson
(4,892 m)
Kosciuszko
(2,228 m)
Puncak Jaya
(4,884 m)
Map of the Seven Summits (actually nine, depending on definition). Garduce climbed all of these mountains except for Mont Blanc, which is not listed on Bass and Messner lists.
This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.

Unknown dates

Known dates

Filmography
Television
Year Title Role
2012 Pito para sa Pilipino Host
2007, 2015 Born to be Wild Host
2006 Pinoy Meets World Himself-Host
2006 Art Angel Himself

See also

References
  1. "Filmography of Romi Garduce". IMDb. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
  2. "Richard Gutierrez, Romi Garduce come together for 'Pito Para sa Pilipino'". GMA News. 21 February 2012. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
  3. "Pinoy reaches peak of 6th highest mountain". Manila Bulletin. 18 October 2005. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
  4. "Mountaineer Leo Oracion reaches Mt. Everest summit". GMA News. 17 May 2006. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
  5. "Himalayan Database Expedition Archives of Elizabeth Hawley - Ascents - Spring 2006 - Everest (North) (continued)". The American Alpine Club. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
  6. Dizon, Nikko (25 December 2006). "Filipino Everest team raises funds for another climb in 2007". Inquirer. Archived from the original on 26 March 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
  7. "PGMA administers oath to LBP chief, receives medal-winning RP athletes in 15th Asian Games". Philippine Information Agency. 19 December 2006. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
  8. "Mountaineers Garduce, Oracion lead 2006 TOYM awardees". GMA News. 6 December 2006. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
  9. Garcia, Bryan B. (11 October 2011). "On top of the world". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
  10. "Roberto Romeo "Romi" Garduce". University of Santo Tomas. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
  11. "Garduce back in RP, a week after scaling Mt. Everest". GMA News. 26 May 2006. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
  12. Pulumbarit, Veronica (20 October 2013). "With new book, Everest conqueror Romi Garduce reaches another summit". GMA News. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  13. "Garduce back at Base Camp, offers Everest climb to Filipinos". GMA News. 20 May 2006. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  14. "Everest 2007: Philippine Everest expedition". Everest News. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  15. Bayani, Oliver (21 September 2015). "Romi Garduce, Saab Magalona walks with Johnnie Walker for "Joy Will Take You Further"". Adobo Magazine. Sanserif, Inc. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
  16. "First part of India and Nepal special on 'Born to be Wild'". GMA News. 5 November 2015. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
  17. Beltran, Nelson (11 May 2006). "Garduce: Everest ascent matter of time". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
  18. "GMA forbids ABS to interview Garduce". Manila Bulletin. 31 May 2006. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
  19. "Garduce on top of the world". GMA News. 19 May 2006. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
  20. Dizon, Nikko (16 June 2006). "Abenojar can get no respect from RP climbers". Inquirer. Archived from the original on 13 April 2013. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
  21. Papa, Alcuin (26 February 2007). "Mountaineer wants to conquer 'Seven Summits' in one year". Inquirer. Archived from the original on 13 April 2013. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
  22. "First man on Everest summit congratulates Romi, Leo, Erwin". GMA News. 19 May 2006. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
  23. "Himalayan Database Expedition Archives of Elizabeth Hawley - Ascents - Spring 2006 - Everest (South) (continued)". The American Alpine Club. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
  24. "Garduce reaches top of Europe's highest peak". GMA News. 29 August 2007. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  25. Papa, Alcuin (12 June 2008). "Garduce defies snowstorm to reach Denali summit". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on 16 June 2008. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  26. "Qtv: Romi Garduce back home after another successful climb". GMA News. 14 June 2008. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  27. Sanchez, Rowena Joy A. (7 January 2012). "Romi Garduce makes history by completing 'Seven Summits' expedition". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  28. "Garduce is 1st Pinoy to complete 'Seven Summits' quest". GMA News. 6 January 2012. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  29. Romi Garduce's blog
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