The first Filipino to conquer Mt. Everest? This long overdue bit of Guiness-esque history should be of interest to even the most jaded and media-hype-inured Pinoy.

But I find it sickening to watch two competing Philippine TV channels place ratings and one-upmanship over national recognition. For several months now, one channel has sponsored one Pinoy's attempt to climb to Mt. Everest's peak. This endeavor is getting the media mileage it deserves.

Pero dahil sa ayaw patalo, the other channel is now sponsoring a horde (well, ok, eight or so) of other Pinoy mountain climbers who will try to beat this solitary climber to the top and to the record.

This has resulted in barrage and counter-barrage of news bites and full-blown TV features from the two channels who are intent on outdoing each other. Ano ba yan?

Hanggang dito ba naman, crab mentality pa rin ang umiiral?

I would have wanted to see the two channels pool their resources to ensure that Juan de la Cruz will -- oh, happy day! -- plant the Filipino flag on the world's highest peak, instead of publicly bickering and knocking the other's efforts down.

Pero wala...walang himala! Kaya patuloy na maghahari ang Utak Alimasag!