Waving the Philippine flag as he came down the Khumbu glacier, Erwin Emata, together with Leo Oracion, returned to Base Camp past 2 p.m. Friday afternoon. Accompanied by their Sherpa guides, they were met by hugs from their fellow team members.

Oracion and Emata were both given a hero's welcome by the team when they prepared Filipino food for the duo. For Erwin's climb, he made it to the records list as one of the fastest summits of seven hours and 49 minutes from Camp 4.