The fight for the first Filipino atop Mt. Everest had begun. The contenders are Romeo Garduce against the 1st Philippine Mt. Everest Ezpedition Team. Both had undergone alpine training and preparatory climbs to attempt Everest in 2007.

Leo and Erwin's summit on Mt. Muztagh-Ata broke the previous Philippine altitude record set by Garduce on Aconcagua, which in turn was broken by Garduce again when he summited Cho Oyu last year. Apparently, there is plenty of friction between the two contenders.