Philippines ‘freedom climb’ breaks latest world record

By Dexter A. See

BAGUIO CITY — Organizers of the historic Freedom Climb here disclosed there were 5,692 participants in the record-breaking mountain ascent in multiple locations which was part of activities of the 113th anniversary of the country’s Independence from Spanish colonial rule.

Based on the final data obtained by the organizers and certified correct by Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan, the participants climbed 69 mountains, including two mountains overseas, which fell way off the targeted more than 100 mountains nationwide.

The number of participants who actually climbed the mountains fell short of the 6,700 mountain climbers who actually paid their registration fees with the organizers in different parts of the country.

Domogan’s certification on the actual number of participants who participated in the mountain ascent in multiple locations will be submitted to the Guinness Book of World Records so that the same will be officially entered into the record as the newest holder of the most number of participants of the said scenic event.

The previous record holder in the actual number of persons that climbed mountains was the United Kingdom and Ireland which recorded 601 persons that trekked 16 mountains.

Mount Osmena in Cebu recorded the highest number of trekkers with 699 followed by Mount Puting Bato with 291. Mount Pulag in Benguet, which is also the second highest mountain peak in the country, had only 197 trekkers while Mount Apo in Davao, the country’s highest mountain peak, had only 18 climbers. Mount Bakun trio in Benguet had the least number of mountain climbers with 11 while Mount Pinatubo in Zambales followed with 13 trekkers.

Because of the successful staging of the Freedom Climb despite several snags, Domogan said the activity must be downloaded to the local government units to ensure that it will be effectively and efficiently administered where problems could be immediately addressed instead of relying on Manila-based organizers to decide on petty matters.