1. Overview
Romeo Roberto "Romi" Garduce, often known as "Garduch", is a prominent Filipino mountaineer, an accomplished IT professional, a dedicated environmentalist, a published writer, and a television host. Born in 1969 in Balanga, Bataan, Garduce is celebrated for his historic achievement as the first and, to date, only Filipino to conquer the Seven Summits, the highest mountains on each of the world's seven continents, following both the Bass and Messner lists. His mountaineering career, which began in 1991 with the University of the Philippines Mountaineers, is characterized by a philosophy of climbing for a cause and a strong commitment to environmental advocacy. Beyond his expeditions, Garduce has significantly contributed to public awareness through his roles as a motivational speaker and a television personality on shows like Born to Be Wild and Pinoy Meets World, and through his book Akyat! A Filipino's Journey to the Seven Summits.
2. Early Life and Education
Romi Garduce was born in 1969 in Balanga, Bataan, a municipality in the province of Bataan, Philippines. His father, originally from Catarman, Northern Samar, spent his career working in Subic, Zambales. Garduce completed his high school education at Tomas del Rosario College. He then pursued higher education at the University of Santo Tomas, where he graduated in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics, specializing in Computer Science.
3. Climbing Career
Garduce's journey into mountaineering officially began in 1991 when he joined the University of the Philippines Mountaineers (UPM). From the outset, his climbing endeavors were driven by a philosophy of "climbing for a cause," intertwining his passion for mountains with a commitment to environmentalism. He has consistently advocated for environmental awareness throughout his career.
4. Seven Summits Achievement
Romi Garduce holds the distinction of being the first and, as of now, the only Filipino to have successfully climbed all of the Seven Summits, which are the highest mountains on each of the seven continents. He completed this monumental feat by adhering to both the Bass and Messner lists, solidifying his place in mountaineering history.
His path to completing the Seven Summits began with Mount Kilimanjaro in 2002, marking his first ascent of a Seven Summits peak and making him the first Filipino to achieve this. On January 1, 2005, he became the first Filipino to climb Aconcagua, the highest mountain outside Asia and the tallest in the Americas. This ascent also marked the highest altitude reached by any Filipino at that time. On September 26, 2005, Garduce made history again by becoming the first Filipino to reach the summit of Cho Oyu, an 26 K ft (8.00 K m) "death zone" peak, which was then the highest mountain scaled by a Filipino.
His ascent of Mount Everest on May 19, 2006, from the south ridge, was his third Seven Summits peak. On August 25, 2007, Garduce reached the summit of Mount Elbrus, Europe's highest peak at 19 K ft (5.64 K m), located in the Caucasus Mountains within Russia, marking his fourth Seven Summits achievement. On June 6, 2008, at 9:30 PM Philippine Standard Time, he conquered Denali (formerly Mount McKinley) in Alaska, the highest peak in North America, making it his fifth summit.
He continued his quest by climbing Mount Kosciuszko in Australia in 2009 and Carstensz Pyramid in Indonesia in 2011. Finally, Romi Garduce completed his historic Seven Summits expedition on January 6, 2012, when he successfully reached the peak of Vinson Massif in Antarctica.
5. Major Expeditions and Climbs
Beyond his pioneering Seven Summits quest, Romi Garduce has undertaken numerous other significant climbs and personal projects, demonstrating his enduring passion for mountaineering.
His journey to conquer the world's highest peaks included several notable ascents. On January 1, 2005, he became the first Filipino to climb Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the Americas. Later that year, on September 26, 2005, Garduce made history as the first Filipino to reach the summit of Cho Oyu, an 26 K ft (8.00 K m) peak.
In 2006, Garduce participated in an expedition to Mount Everest, sponsored by GMA Network, concurrently with the First Philippine Mount Everest Expedition (FPMEE) team, which was principally sponsored by ABS-CBN. On May 19, 2006, he successfully reached the summit of Mount Everest from the south ridge, following the ascents of Leo Oracion and Erwin Emata. His achievement was recognized globally, with Sir Edmund Hillary, the first man to summit Everest, personally congratulating Garduce, Oracion, and Emata for their determination. The American Alpine Club's Himalayan Database officially included Romi Garduce in the list of Everest South summiters for 2006.
His Seven Summits journey continued with the ascent of Mount Elbrus in Russia on August 25, 2007, reaching its 19 K ft (5.64 K m) summit. On June 6, 2008, he successfully summited Denali in Alaska with a team from the American Alpine Institute (AAI); only three out of their nine-member team reached the peak. Following Denali, he climbed Mount Kosciuszko in Australia in 2009 and Carstensz Pyramid in Indonesia in 2011, the latter with fellow Filipino climber Levi Nayahangan. His historic completion of the Seven Summits culminated with the ascent of Vinson Massif in Antarctica on January 6, 2012.
In November 2014, Garduce undertook a personal challenge he termed "5 peaks in 5 days," successfully day-climbing the Philippines' top five highest peaks. In 2015, he also climbed Mount Makiling in Laguna, Philippines, as part of his training for an expedition to Mount Ama Dablam in Nepal.
6. Other Careers and Activities
Beyond his renowned mountaineering career, Romi Garduce has cultivated a diverse professional life, encompassing roles in information technology, environmental advocacy, public speaking, and media.
Garduce works as an IT professional, specifically as a systems manager for the financial reporting unit at Procter and Gamble Philippines. His office is located at Petron Megaplaza in Makati. In addition to his corporate role, he is a certified scuba dive master (since 2000), a dedicated environmentalist, and a sought-after motivational speaker, sharing his experiences to inspire others. In September 2015, Garduce was named a global ambassador for Johnnie Walker and featured in one of the whiskey's commercials.
6.1. Broadcasting Career
Romi Garduce has a notable presence in Philippine television, serving as a host and personality for various public affairs and educational programs. In 2006, he became one of the hosts for Pinoy Meets World. In 2007, he joined veterinarian Ferdinand Recio as one of the original presenters for Born to Be Wild, a travel and wildlife show. He also made a guest appearance on an episode of the children's educational show Art Angel. In 2012, Garduce co-hosted the GMA News and Public Affairs special Pito Para sa Pilipino (Pito Para sa PilipinoSeven for the FilipinosTagalog) alongside Richard Gutierrez. In November 2015, he briefly returned to Born to Be Wild as a guest host for a special series on India and Nepal, which included his training climb on Mount Makiling for his Mount Ama Dablam expedition.
| 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 | |
6.2. Writing Career
Garduce extended his influence through his literary contributions, most notably with his book, Akyat! A Filipino's Journey to the Seven Summits. Launched in October 2013 at Bonifacio High Street in Bonifacio Global City, the book chronicles his extensive mountain climbing adventures and the challenges he faced throughout his expeditions. The title, Akyat!, is a Filipino word meaning "climb." Through his writing, Garduce aimed to share his experiences and inspire readers to pursue their own aspirations. His personal blog, [http://www.romigarduce.blogspot.com/ Romi Garduce's personal website], also serves as a platform where he shares his experiences and insights.
7. Awards and Recognition
Romi Garduce has received numerous accolades and honors in recognition of his groundbreaking achievements in mountaineering and his contributions to the community.
In 2006, then-Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo awarded Garduce the Order of Lakandula with the Special Class of Champion for Life, acknowledging his extraordinary feats and their positive impact. In the same year, he was named one of The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) of 2006, an award that celebrates young Filipinos who have made significant contributions to their fields and to society.
To commemorate their historic ascents of Mount Everest, Garduce, along with fellow Filipino mountaineers Leo Oracion and Erwin Emata, were featured on special postage stamps issued by the Philippine Postage Corporation in November 2006. In 2017, Garduce was among the inaugural recipients of the History Maker Award, presented by the History Channel, further cementing his legacy as a significant figure in Philippine history.
8. Impact and Legacy
Romi Garduce's achievements in mountaineering have had a profound impact on the Philippines, extending far beyond the realm of sports. As the first and only Filipino to complete the Seven Summits, he became a powerful symbol of national pride and determination, inspiring countless Filipinos to pursue ambitious goals. His expeditions garnered significant media attention, bringing mountaineering into the national spotlight and showcasing the resilience and capability of the Filipino spirit.
Beyond his climbing feats, Garduce actively leverages his platform to advocate for environmental awareness and conservation. His philosophy of "climbing for a cause" underscores his commitment to protecting the natural world, particularly the fragile mountain ecosystems he explores. Through his roles as a motivational speaker and a television host, he has directly engaged with the public, sharing his experiences and promoting messages of perseverance, environmental stewardship, and the importance of challenging oneself. His book, Akyat! A Filipino's Journey to the Seven Summits, further amplifies this message, aiming to inspire readers with his personal struggles and triumphs. Garduce's multifaceted career and his pioneering spirit have left a lasting legacy, contributing significantly to public discourse on adventure, environmental responsibility, and national achievement.