MANILA, Philippines -- Malacañang has congratulated the three Filipino women who made history by reaching the summit of Mt. Everest, the world's tallest peak.

"We are congratulating them. It shows that women are equal and sometimes better than men," Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said Wednesday in his weekly news conference.

Noelle Wenceslao first reached the peak early Wednesday (Manila time), followed by Karina Dayondon, and then Janet Belarmino.

It was also in May last year when three other Filipino mountaineers made history by conquering the Everest. They were Leo Oracion, Erwin Emata, and Romeo Garduce.

Another mountaineer, Dale Abenojar, claimed to have summitted the Everest a few days before Oracion did although this was being disputed.