Two Filipino climbers, Elaine Jhon “Jeno” Panganiban and Miguel Mapalad, are preparing to scale Mt. Everest in April 2025, marking the first Philippine ascent of the world’s highest peak in nearly two decades.
Their expedition is part of the Philippine 14 Peaks Expedition Team, an ambitious project aiming to conquer 14 of the world’s tallest mountains, each towering above 8,000 meters. This elite group of peaks, known as the “Eight-Thousanders,” is spread across the Himalayas and the Karakoram ranges.
The duo recently made history in October 2024 by becoming the first Filipinos to reach the summit of Mount Ama Dablam in the eastern Himalayas. At 6,812 meters, Ama Dablam is considered a technical climb with steep terrain and unpredictable avalanches.
The last successful Filipino ascent of Mt. Everest was in May 2006, when Leo Oracion, Erwin Emata, and Romeo Garduce reached the summit. A fourth climber, Dale Abenojar, was also recognized for his achievement. Their success was honored by then-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who awarded them the “Order of Lakandula – Champions for Life.”
