Filipino mountaineers Rhisael “Ric” Rabe, Jeno Panganiban, and Miguel Mapalad have successfully conquered the summit of Mt. Everest!
Rabe made history as the first Filipino to reach the summit in nearly two decades, achieving the remarkable feat on May 15. He was followed by Panganiban and Mapalad, who reached the peak on May 18.
Photo: Ric Rabe | Philippine 14 Peaks Expedition Team
Rabe’s wife announced the news on a social media post, writing, “We all know that Ric from Cotabato City — unsponsored, unpublicized, and quietly determined — already reached the summit yesterday morning (May 15).”
She added that his journey isn’t over yet, as he still needs to make the challenging descent.
“This isn’t a race to the top or a contest for publicity. True mountaineers climb with humility, not headlines. They don’t boast; they just quietly conquer,” she continued.
Meanwhile, the Philippine 14 Peaks Expedition Team celebrated Panganiban and Mapalad’s successful ascent of Mt. Everest and honored their victory alongside Rabe and the late Philip “PJ” Santiago, who recently passed away during the climb.
“But this victory isn’t theirs alone. Joining them in this monumental feat are two other proud Filipinos Sir Ric Rabe and the late Sir PJ Santiago II, whose unwavering spirit lives on in this triumph. Sir PJ may not have reached the summit, but he gave everything for this dream with love, courage, and pride for the Philippines,” the team emphasized.
“This climb was never just for them it was for all Filipinos. To show that we can dream big, rise higher, and endure together.”
On May 14, Santiago passed away at Mt. Everest’s Camp IV, also known as the “Death Zone.” He is the first recorded foreign climber fatality of this year’s climbing season.
ALSO READ: Adventurous Couple Got Married at Mt. Everest—Take a Look at the Pictures!
