1st Philippine Mt. Everest Expedition

Leo Oracion (R), the first Filipino to reached the summit of Mt. Everest in Nepal on 17 May 2006, is accompanied by Erwin "Pastour" Emata, the second Filipino also to reached the highest peak in the world on 18 May 2006, received a heroes welcome on May 31 from its countrymen. Together with the 1st Philippine Mt. Everest Expedition team, they walked along Ayala Avenue in Makati City, the financial district south of Manila. Earlier in the day, they made a courtesy call to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in Malacanang Palace. (Photograph: Voltaire Domingo/NPPA Images for Stratworks/FPMEE)