Ambato, Ecuador
Ambato lies in the main valley of the Central Cordillera, the highest of the Andean mountain ranges. The city itself is carved into the side of Cerro Casigana, the mountain that dominates the north end of the city. From Ambato, it is possible to see many snow-capped volcanoes including Cotopaxi, Tungurahua, Carihuairazo, and the largest mountain in Ecuador, Chimborazo. Tungurahua lies about 40 kilometers to the southeast. The threat of eruption from the volcano is constant. On May 16, 2006, Tungurahua erupted, covering the city with a thick layer of ash.
Romi Garduce
After reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in 2002, Garduce became the first Filipino to climb one of the Seven Summits. On September 26, 2005, Romi Garduce became the first Filipino to ascend Cho Oyu, a death zone peak at , then the highest mountain peak scaled by a Filipino. That record was broken by Leo Oracion on May 17, 2006 when he was the first to reach the peak of Mount Everest, the highest mountain on Earth, and planted the Filipino flag. Although, The Himalayan Database had included Dale Abenojar in the list of Everest North summiteers on May 15, 2006 recognizing him as the first Filipino on top of Mount Everest. Garduce reached the summit of Everest on May 19, 2006. Due to Garduce's feat, he was awarded an Order of Lakandula - Special Class of Champion for Life by then Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as well as one of The Outstanding Young Man (TOYM) of 2006 for his feats and service to community work.