The triumph of three Pinay mountaineers who conquered the legendary Mt. Everest was once again celebrated and heralded as the book Live the Dream 2 was officially launched last May 17 at Rockwell Center in Makati.
The event brought together members of the Philippine Mount Everest Expedition team, supporters, and partners to honor the legacy of the 2007 All-Pinay Everest Traverse and the vision that fueled it.
Authored by expedition leader Art Valdez, Live the Dream 2 recounts the untold stories behind one of the most extraordinary feats in Philippine mountaineering: the world’s first and only all-female traverse of Mt. Everest, achieved by Filipinas Noelle Wenceslao, Carina Dayondon, and Janet Belarmino. The launch took place at the same venue where, 21 years ago, the First Philippine Mt. Everest Expedition was announced—a symbolic return to the place where the dream began.
The highlight of the event was the formal unveiling of the book, which Valdez described as a tribute to the dreams and determination that carried the team to the top of the world.
“Mt. Everest was never just about the summit. It was about belief, courage, and the unshakable will to rise to the top,” Valdez said during his remarks.
In attendance were Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commander Carina Dayondon and Petty Officer First Class Noelle Wenceslao Penetrante, two of the three women who made the record-setting climb in 2007. They marked the occasion by revisiting their journey and underscoring the deeper meaning of their achievement, not just for themselves but for Filipinas across generations.
“It’s been 17 years, but every time I think back to that moment on the summit, I’m reminded that our story is every Filipina’s story,” said Dayondon. “It’s about rising above doubt, and pushing past limits you didn’t know you could break.”
Wenceslao, meanwhile, emphasized the enduring power of representation. “We didn’t climb Everest to be remembered—we climbed because we believed we could. And now, we hope other women will see that they can take on their own Everest, whatever it may be.”
The All-Pinay Everest Expedition was no ordinary climb. In 2007, Wenceslao, Dayondon, and Belarmino ascended from Tibet and descended into Nepal—completing a full traverse of the world’s highest peak. It remains the only documented female traverse of Mt. Everest to date. The expedition came on the heels of the 2006 milestone climbs of Leo Oracion, Pastor Emata, and Romi Garduce, who first planted the Philippine flag at the summit.
Closing the event, Valdez left the audience with a message that echoed the heartbeat of the book: “May this serve not only as a tribute to our three Pinays’ triumph but also as a reminder to every Filipino that dreams—no matter how high—are within reach.”
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