Abenojar’s wife: My husband will answer all questions

The wife of mountaineer Dale Abenojar declined to comment on questions surrounding his claim that he was the first Filipino to successfully reach the summit of Mount Everest.

Lisa Abenojar, in a phone interview with The STAR, said all questions should be referred to her husband.

"To be honest, ayaw na naming mag-comment (we no longer want to give any comments). Let’s just wait for Dale to come back so he can answer all these questions," she said.

Abenojar produced a certificate as well as a photograph showing that he reached the summit on May 15, days ahead of celebrated mountaineers Leo Oracion, Erwin Emata and Romeo Garduce.

His claim, however, raised doubts. Oracion and Emata — while refusing to deny Abenojar’s claim outright — said the background in Abenojar’s photo seemed different from what they saw at the summit.

They added that prayer flags and a portrait of the Dalai Lama, Tibet’s spiritual leader, were at the peak of the world’s highest mountain.

Lisa Abenojar doesn’t know when her husband will be home from Nepal. "There’s no word yet on when he can return," she said, pointing out that her husband is still recovering from frostbite on his left foot.

Oracio, Emata and the rest of their team arrived Tuesday from Nepal to a warm welcome and cheers from family, friends and supporters. They were honored yesterday at Malacañang by President Arroyo.

Team members wonder how Abenojar could have reached the summit ahead of Oracion and Emata, pointing out that the northern face that Abenojar reportedly scaled was the more difficult route.

There was also no word concerning Abenojar’s supposed feat among the mountaineering community in Kathmandu, Nepal, they said.

Garduce’s camp, on the other hand, said they were ready to acknowledge Abenojar’s claim — if he could prove it.

"It’s his responsibility to do so anyway. He can easily do this with photos, videos," an official of a company that sponsored Garduce’s climb told The STAR.