Filipino climber Miguel Mapalad pays it forward to the Himalayas by supporting pollution control in Mount Everest.
Miguel Mapalad underscored the importance of giving back to nature after reaching his long-time dream of summiting Mount Everest last month, as he is set to support the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC), the group in charge of cleaning up in the mountain.
Mapalad, who along with Jeno Panganiban became the 9th and 10th Filipinos to summit the world’s highest peak, will work with his corporate sponsor Delimondo in raising funds for SPCC, one of two beneficiaries for their efforts.
The 42-year-old partnered with Delimondo for a special Mount Everest packaging of their products to help raise funds, with portions of the proceeds heading to SPCC.
As a full-time mountain guide in the HImalayas, Mapalad saw it fitting that he would give back to the community that has supported him for so long — especially now that he was able to conquer the biggest challenge of his mountaineering journey.
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“Kasi ako, lagi akong bumabalik sa Everest region no, kasi lagi ako dun may gina-guide duon. Nakikita ko yung tourism nila talagang nagbo-boom kaya lang, dumadami rin yung trash at itong SPCC NGO na group, medyo nahihirapan sila unang-una sa pondo, sa mga tao kasi bago malinis yan, kailangan talagang magbayad ng tao lalong lalo na sa mga higher caps,” said Mapalad during his welcome press conference at Delimondo Cafe in Makati.
“Nakita ko na okay, tulungan natin sila since lagi naman akong andoon, tutulungan ko rin sila para ishare yung program nila sa community ko.”
Not only does SPCC support pollution control efforts, but also the ice fall doctors who aid mountaineers in their quest for the summit in Mount Everest.
Apart from SPCC, Mapalad is also looking to raise funds for less-fortunate students in another climbing community in San Luis, where Mapalad established the Pacific Crest Trail, a mountaineering trail in Aurora.
“Meron doon isolated na community na talagang nahihirapan sila to look for transportation, yung iba yung mga kabataan duon, umaabot lang hanggang Grade 3, kasi mostly mga farmers yung mga magulang kaya tutulungan kami for outreach para sa empowerment ng mga bata. Para magpatuloy sa pag-aaral,” he said.