Two more Filipino mountaineers made it to the top of the world, as they successfully reached the summit of Mount Everest.
Braving the harsh temperature and high altitude, Filipino mountaineers Jeno Panganiban and Miguel Mapalad reached the highest point on earth on Sunday, May 18. Both part of the Philippine 14 Peaks Expedition Team, the page announced in a Facebook post on Sunday evening that Panganiban and Mapalad had successfully hiked to the Mount Everest summit.
However, they noted that 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,” the caption read. “Sir PJ may not have reached the summit, but he gave everything for this dream with love, courage, and pride for the Philippines.”
The late Santiago passed away last week as he was preparing for the summit push at Camp IV, commonly known as the “death zone.”
In a Facebook update on Saturday, the team announced that Panganiban and Mapalad had reached Camp IV, the final camp before the summit. According to their post, “this is where climbers prepare for the final, most grueling ascent” into the death zone.
Upon reaching the last camp, they said that every breath becomes a battle, and every movement must be deliberate and calculated.
“This climb was never just for them, it was for all Filipinos. To show that we can dream big, rise higher, and endure together,” they stated.
The two hikers thanked their Sherpa guides for their strength and guidance. The two mountaineers also expressed their deepest gratitude to all families, friends, and sponsors who made this all possible.
A day before Panganiban and Mapalad reached the summit, Rhisael "Ric" Abe became the 9th Filipino to hit the highest peak on the planet.
Both hikers asked for prayers for their safe descent and return home.
“Mabuhay ang Pilipino. Mabuhay ang lahat ng nangangarap,” they ended.
