Two Filipino climbers, Elaine Jhon Panganiban and Miguel Angelo Mapalad, have reached the summit of Mount Everest, standing tall at 8,848.86 meters, on Sunday (Manila time), further elevating the Philippines’ mark in global mountaineering.
The duo, who are members of the Philippine 14 Peaks Expedition Team, successfully made the ascent as part of an expedition led by Seven Summit Treks, a Nepal-based mountaineering organization. Their achievement came just days after another Filipino, Rhisael “Ric” Rabe, also conquered the world’s highest peak.
“It’s official now – Philippines duo successfully summits Mt. Everest!” announced Seven Summit Treks in a social media post. Panganiban and Mapalad were supported by seasoned Sherpas, Dawa Nurbu Sherpa and Danuru Sherpa.
While the nation celebrates their achievement, the mountaineering community also mourns the loss of another Filipino climber. Philipp Santiago, 45, tragically died last Thursday while attempting the ascent. He reportedly succumbed to exhaustion at Camp 4, the final staging point before the summit.
Nepal, known for its towering peaks, including eight of the world’s ten highest mountains, has become a hub for climbers each spring. Last year alone, over 800 climbers reached the Everest summit, reflecting the enduring allure of the legendary peak.
