If plans push through and the mighty Mt. Everest will be kind enough, Jeno Panganiban and Miguel Mapalad will be now at Camp 2 and possibly on their way to Camp 3 at Lhotsa Face. In one of our previous columns, The Designated Kit Man discussed Panganiban and Mapalad’s dream of hoisting the Philippine flag once more on the summit of the planet’s highest mountain above sea level. That aspiration is about to be realized, hopefully.
In an update shared by Aica Dalangin, Panganiban’s fiancé, Panganiban and Mapalad have started their summit of Mt. Everest last Wednesday night. From base camp, they intend to reach Khumbu Icefall the following day and by May 16, they will move from camp 2 to camp 3 at Lhotse Face. By May 17, the duo, which are part of the PH 14 Peaks Expedition Team, should be at camp 4 at South Col Climb. From there, they will make the final ascent to the summit of Mt. Everest on May 18.
Panganiban and Mapalad had several opportunities to climb Mt. Everest, but unfavorable weather conditions, made worse by strong winds, cautioned them to postpone plans. Teammates who went out ahead got stuck at camp and had to return to base camp for safety.
“May 14 is the best window for us to move, as advised by our expedition team and leaders, to the summit on May 18,” Panganiban posted on his Facebook account.
The last time the Philippine flag was hoisted on top of Mt. Everest was 18 years ago. Reggie Poblador was the last Pinoy climber to achieve the feat last May 17, 2007 or a day before the target date of Panganiban and Mapalad.
“We humbly ask for your players and all-out support. Panahon na para mag kapit-bisig tayo. Heto na. Top of the world. Para sa Inang Bayan, Pilipinas. Para sa mga Pilipino,” Panganiban added in his post.
After the May 12 midterm elections which polarized the country, we have a good reason to rally as one behind Jeno and Migz as they attempt to put back the three stars and the sun back on top of the mountaineering world.
Good luck, kababayans!
Speaking of bringing glory back to the country, the Philippine National Women’s Futsal Team, otherwise known as Filipina5, did the contrary after going winless in the AFC Women’s Asian Futsal Cup in Hohhot, China.
It was indeed a stint worth forgetting as the team dropped all of their matches in Group B. From a close 1-0 defeat to defending champion Iran, the team lost badly to Vietnam, 3-0 before going out of the tournament with a whimper via a 7-3 beating courtesy of Hong Kong.
The losses were indeed grim reality checks for a team riding high after qualifying to the Asian tournament for the first time. Moreover, even Spanish Coach Rafa Rodriguez has admitted that it would be very difficult for Filipina5 to compete against the best teams in the world as the country hosts the 1st-ever FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup in November.
A few weeks back, the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) justified its decision not to send U19 and U20 Girls teams in two international tournaments this year for several reasons that included a new mindset.
“Ngayon iba na ang mentality natin. We do not just participate or we do not just join tournaments for the sake of participating. We’re going to join them to win them,” John Gutierrez, PFF president, reasoned out.
Gutierrez explained that the decision not to participate was made by the Department National Teams and the Technical Department citing the busy calendar for both the men’s and women’s national teams
“The direction from Pres (Gutierrez) is really to focus our efforts and everytime that we participate to make sure that we’re going for winning not just participation,” Vince Santos, PFF Director for Football, added.
So using this logic then, why send a team to the AFC Women’s Asian Futsal Cup in Hohhot then? It would take a major miracle and the best of luck for Filipina5 to win the Asian Women’s Futsal title. I just hope that this reasoning is not only applicable because it is convenient for the powers at be when it comes to football in the country. Or is it convenient for the pambansang turista to justify his presence in every international tournament that he could get his hands on?
Whatever the reasons may be, The Designated Kit Man is hoping that preparations for the country’s hosting of the FIFA Women’s are on the right track and direction. We should move on from the Hohhot disaster and get our acts together to ensure the best possible experience for all teams coming to our shores to compete for the historic tournament and especially to fans being given the rare opportunity to watch the Filipina5 compete live against the best futsal teams in the world.
Good vibes lang po and sana all stakeholders are living up to the sama sama mantra the PFF is espousing as of late.
Stay safe. Stay happy peeps!
For comments or questions, you can reach The Designated Kit Man at erel_cabatbat@yahoo.com or follow his account at Twitter: @erelcabatbat