{{Short description|Filipino mountaineer (born 1969)}} {{Infobox person | name = Romi Garduce | image = <!-- just the filename, without the File: or Image: prefix or enclosing brackets --> | alt = | caption = | birth_name = Romeo Roberto Garduce | birth_date = {{birth year and age|1969}} | birth_place = Balanga, Bataan, Philippines | other_names = Garduch | occupation = Mountaineer, scuba dive master, writer, motivational speaker, TV host, IT professional, | known_for = First Filipino to climb the Seven Summits | website = https://www.romigarduce.blogspot.com/ }}
'''Romeo Roberto "Romi" Garduce''' (born 1969 in Balanga, Bataan), sometimes nicknamed as "'''Garduch'''," is a Filipino mountaineer, 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''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Filmography of Romi Garduce|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2428585/|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=14 February 2013}}</ref> He also hosted the GMA News and Public Affairs special entitled ''Pito Para sa Pilipino'' (''Seven for the Filipinos'') with Richard Gutierrez.<ref>{{cite news|title=Richard Gutierrez, Romi Garduce come together for 'Pito Para sa Pilipino'|url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/248799/publicaffairs/gma7specials/richard-gutierrez-romi-garduce-come-together-for-pito-para-sa-pilipino|accessdate=14 February 2013|newspaper=GMA News|date=21 February 2012}}</ref>
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 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 {{convert|8,000|m|ft}}, then the highest mountain peak scaled by a Filipino.<ref>{{cite news|title=Pinoy reaches peak of 6th highest mountain|url=http://www.mb.com.ph/node/143821#.UR1T4_LcCSo|accessdate=14 February 2013|newspaper=Manila Bulletin|date=18 October 2005}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|title=Mountaineer Leo Oracion reaches Mt. Everest summit|url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/6332/news/nation/mountaineer-leo-oracion-reaches-mt-everest-summit|accessdate=14 February 2013|newspaper=GMA News|date=17 May 2006}}</ref> 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<ref>{{cite news|title=Filipino Everest team raises funds for another climb in 2007|url=http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view/20061225-40156/Filipino_Everest_team_raises_funds_for_another_climb_in_2007|accessdate=14 February 2013|newspaper=Inquirer|date=25 December 2006|first=Nikko|last=Dizon|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140326095515/http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view/20061225-40156/Filipino_Everest_team_raises_funds_for_another_climb_in_2007|archivedate=26 March 2014}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite web|title=PGMA administers oath to LBP chief, receives medal-winning RP athletes in 15th Asian Games|url=http://archives.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&sec=reader&rp=4&fi=p061219.htm&no=40&date=12/19/2006|work=Philippine Information Agency|accessdate=14 February 2013|date=19 December 2006}}</ref> as well as one of The Outstanding Young Man (TOYM) of 2006 for his feats and service to community work.<ref name=":2">{{cite news|title=Mountaineers Garduce, Oracion lead 2006 TOYM awardees|url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/22968/news/nation/mountaineers-garduce-oracion-lead-2006-toym-awardees|accessdate=14 February 2013|newspaper=GMA News|date=6 December 2006}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite news|title=On top of the world|url=http://www.mb.com.ph/node/337365/on-top-world#.UR1cfvLcB8E|accessdate=14 February 2013|newspaper=Manila Bulletin|date=11 October 2011|first=Bryan B.|last=Garcia}}</ref>
==Early life== 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.<ref>{{cite web|title=Roberto Romeo "Romi" Garduce|url=http://www.ust.edu.ph/index.php/2011/1193-roberto-romeo-qromiq-garduce.html|publisher=University of Santo Tomas|accessdate=18 February 2013}}</ref>
==Climbing career== He became a mountaineer after joining UP Mountaineers in 1991.<ref>{{cite news|title=Garduce back in RP, a week after scaling Mt. Everest|url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/7014/news/nation/garduce-back-in-rp-a-week-after-scaling-mt-everest|accessdate=14 February 2013|newspaper=GMA News|date=26 May 2006}}</ref>
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 scaled by a Filipino. On May 19, 2006, he climbed the summit of Mount Everest, his third Seven Summits Peak after Kilimanjaro and Aconcagua.
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.<ref>{{cite news|title=Garduce: Everest ascent matter of time|url=http://www.philstar.com/sports/335981/garduce-everest-ascent-matter-time|accessdate=14 February 2013|newspaper=The Philippine Star|date=11 May 2006|first=Nelson|last=Beltran}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=GMA forbids ABS to interview Garduce|url=http://www.mb.com.ph/node/77124#.UR1oovLcB8E|accessdate=14 February 2013|newspaper=Manila Bulletin|date=31 May 2006}}</ref> On May 19, 2006, Garduce reached the summit of Mount Everest from the south ridge after Leo Oracion and Erwin Emata.<ref>{{cite news|title=Garduce on top of the world|url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/6491/news/nation/garduce-on-top-of-the-world|accessdate=14 February 2013|newspaper=GMA News|date=19 May 2006}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite news|title=First man on Everest summit congratulates Romi, Leo, Erwin|url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/6538/news/nation/first-man-on-everest-summit-congratulates-romi-leo-erwin|accessdate=14 February 2013|newspaper=GMA News|date=19 May 2006}}</ref> The Himalayan Database published by American Alpine Club had included Romi Garduce in the list of Everest South summiters for 2006.<ref>{{cite web|title=Himalayan Database Expedition Archives of Elizabeth Hawley - Ascents - Spring 2006 - Everest (South) (continued)|url=http://www.himalayandatabase.com/2006%20Season%20Lists/2006%20Spring%20A11.html|publisher=The American Alpine Club|accessdate=18 February 2013}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite news|title=Garduce reaches top of Europe's highest peak|url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/58216/lifestyle/garduce-reaches-top-of-europe-s-highest-peak|accessdate=19 February 2013|newspaper=GMA News|date=29 August 2007}}</ref>
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).<ref>{{cite news|title=Garduce defies snowstorm to reach Denali summit|url=http://technology.inquirer.net/infotech/infotech/view/20080612-142326/Garduce-defies-snowstorm-to-reach-Denali-summit|accessdate=19 February 2013|newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer|date=12 June 2008|first=Alcuin|last=Papa|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080616064254/http://technology.inquirer.net/infotech/infotech/view/20080612-142326/Garduce-defies-snowstorm-to-reach-Denali-summit|archivedate=16 June 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Qtv: Romi Garduce back home after another successful climb|url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/video/24171/balitapilipinas/qtv-romi-garduce-back-home-after-another-successful-climb|accessdate=19 February 2013|newspaper=GMA News|date=14 June 2008}}</ref>
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 Seven Summits of the seven continents of the world last January 6, 2012 when he reached the peak of Vinson Massif in Antarctica.<ref>{{cite news|title=Romi Garduce makes history by completing 'Seven Summits' expedition|url=http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/347285/romi-garduce-makes-history-completing-seven-summits-expedition#.USMFbR1TSSo|accessdate=19 February 2013|newspaper=Manila Bulletin|date=7 January 2012|first=Rowena Joy A.|last=Sanchez}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Garduce is 1st Pinoy to complete 'Seven Summits' quest|url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/243713/sports/othersports/garduce-is-1st-pinoy-to-complete-seven-summits-quest|accessdate=19 February 2013|newspaper=GMA News|date=6 January 2012}}</ref>
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."<ref>[http://romigarduce.blogspot.sg/2014/11/five-peaks-in-five-days.html Romi Garduce's blog]</ref> In 2015, he also climbed Makiling, a mountain in Laguna, Philippines, to prepare for his climb on Mount Ama Dablam in Nepal.<ref name="btb" />
==Writing and other careers==
Aside from being a mountaineer, Garduce is a scuba diver master, an environmentalist, writer, motivational speaker,<ref name=":0" /> an IT professional, and a TV host. He works at Procter and Gamble (Philippines) as systems manager of the financial reporting unit<ref>{{cite news|title=Garduce back at Base Camp, offers Everest climb to Filipinos|url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/6574/news/nation/garduce-back-at-base-camp-offers-everest-climb-to-filipinos|accessdate=19 February 2013|newspaper=GMA News|date=20 May 2006}}</ref> in the P&G office at Petron Megaplaza, Makati.<ref>{{cite web|title=Everest 2007: Philippine Everest expedition|url=http://www.everestnews.com/everest2007/phileverest2007.htm|publisher=Everest News|accessdate=19 February 2013}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":0">{{cite news|title=With new book, Everest conqueror Romi Garduce reaches another summit|url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/331682/lifestyle/peopleandevents/with-new-book-everest-conqueror-romi-garduce-reaches-another-summit|accessdate=26 March 2014|newspaper=GMA News|date=20 October 2013|first=Veronica|last=Pulumbarit}}</ref> In September 2015, Garduce became a global ambassador for Johnnie Walker<ref>{{cite web|title=Romi Garduce, Saab Magalona walks with Johnnie Walker for "Joy Will Take You Further"|url=http://www.adobomagazine.com/philippine-news/romi-garduce-saab-magalona-walks-johnnie-walker-joy-will-take-you-further|accessdate=8 December 2015|magazine=Adobo Magazine|date=21 September 2015|last=Bayani|first=Oliver|publisher=Sanserif, Inc.}}</ref> and appeared in the said whiskey's commercial. In November 2015, Garduce briefly returned in ''Born to be Wild'' as guest host.<ref name="btb">{{cite news|title=First part of India and Nepal special on 'Born to be Wild'|url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/543319/publicaffairs/borntobewild/first-part-of-india-and-nepal-special-on-born-to-be-wild|accessdate=8 December 2015|newspaper=GMA News|date=5 November 2015}}</ref> In the episodes that he appeared, Garduce went to Mount Makiling as part of his training to climb Mount Ama Dablam in the Himalayas.
== Awards == * Garduce was given the Order of Lakandula with Special Class of Champion for Life in 2006 by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.<ref name=":1" />
* He was also named as one of The Outstanding Young Man (TOYM) of 2006 for his achievements and for serving the community.<ref name=":2" />
* Garduce, Oracion and Emata were featured on postage stamps in November 2006 issued by the Philippine Postage Corporation to honor their feats.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Punay |first=Edu |date=2006-11-24 |title=Pinoy conquest of Mt. Everest immortalized in stamps |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2006/11/24/370921/pinoy-conquest-mt-everest-immortalized-stamps |access-date=2022-05-21 |website=Philstar.com |publisher=The Philippine Star}}</ref>
* In 2017, he was one of the inaugural awardees of the History Maker Award by the History Channel.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-08-21 |title=Filipino history makers honored at History Con 2017 |url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2017/08/21/lifestyle-entertainment/show-times/filipino-history-makers-honored-history-con-2017/345909 |access-date=2022-05-21 |website=The Manila Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Severo |first=Jan Milo |date=2018-07-23 |title=Sharon Cuneta hailed as 'History Maker' for 2018 |url=https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2018/07/23/1836084/sharon-cuneta-hailed-history-maker-2018 |access-date=2022-05-21 |website=Philstar.com |publisher=The Philippine Star}}</ref>
==Filmography== {| class="wikitable" |- ! colspan=4 style="background:#B0C4DE;" | 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== * Leo Oracion * Erwin Emata
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[http://www.everestnews.com/everest2006/phileverest2006.htm Everest 2006: Philippine Everest 2006 Expedition] *[https://www.romigarduce.blogspot.com/ Romi Garduce's personal website].
{{OLSCCL Recipients}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Garduce, Romi}} Category:1969 births Category:Living people Category:People from Balanga, Bataan Category:Filipino mountain climbers Category:Filipino summiteers of Mount Everest Category:Filipino television personalities Category:GMA Network (company) people Category:GMA Integrated News and Public Affairs people Category:Filipino motivational speakers Category:Filipino writers Category:University of Santo Tomas alumni Category:Summiteers of the Seven Summits Category:Recipients of the Order of Lakandula