For Davaoe�o, Faith Will Conquer the Highest Peak

Erwin “Pastor” Emata, quite apart from being one of the country�s best mountaineers, is also a deeply religious man. The Davaoe�o will soon be among the first Filipinos to reach the summit of Mount Everest, the world�s tallest peak.

By Keith Bacongco
davaotoday.com

DAVAO CITY � The clich� that faith can move a person to climb even the highest mountain could be proven true next month. Quite literally.

Erwin “Pastor” Emata, quite apart from being one of the country�s best mountaineers, is also a deeply religious man. The Davaoe�o will soon be among the first Filipinos to reach the summit of Mount Everest, the world�s tallest peak.

His faith, they said, would no doubt augur well for the mountaineer from Tagum City who, along with Leo Oracion of Cebu City, will undergo a �reconnaissance climb� of Mount Everest next month. Emata is a member of Marco Polo Mountaineering Club-Davao.

�He is one of the best mountaineers in the Philippines,� said Dodong Realse, a veteran mountaineer and a close friend of Emata�s. With his strength and experience, he told davaotoday.com, Emata can make it to the summit.

�He has faith in God. He is a very religious man, that’s why he is called pastor (preacher),” Realse said. “He leads the prayer in our climbs and even before we eat. Very religious. He is also a disciplined athlete. Never smokes or drink any liquor.”

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