Rhisael “Ric” Rabe, a Filipino mountaineer from Cotabato City, has carved his name into history as the first Filipino in nearly two decades to conquer the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest. His triumphant ascent was confirmed on May 15, 2025, at 7:15 a.m. Nepal Time, as announced by his wife, Aileen Rabe, on social media.
Unlike most high-profile climbers, Rabe’s journey was unsponsored and flew under the radar, embodying a quiet but determined spirit. “Ric from Cotabato City — unsponsored, unpublicized, and quietly determined — already reached the summit yesterday morning (May 15) through the South Col (Nepal),” Aileen wrote in a heartfelt post.
But the victory came with a reminder of the challenge that still lay ahead. “The journey isn’t over yet. He still needs to descend,” she emphasized, acknowledging the dangers climbers face, especially on the treacherous descent through the Khumbu Icefall.
Rabe’s adventure began on April 6, when he documented the early days of his climb. “Day 1: Hazy sky, red sun, no planes. So we were helicoptered to Lukla instead. Trekked the Sherpa way — 23+kg on the head, straight Lukla to Phakding in 2 hours! Usual time is 4 hours,” he shared, hinting at his remarkable endurance.
Climbing Mount Everest is not just a test of physical strength but a battle against nature itself — extreme altitudes, thin air, and unpredictable weather make it a deadly pursuit. But Rabe has now joined the ranks of other Filipino legends who have achieved this formidable feat, including Heracleo “Leo” Oracion, Erwin “Pastor” Emata, and Romeo “Romi” Garduce, who first put the Philippines on the Everest map in 2006.
