Filipino climbers conquer Mt. Everest days after death of teammate

Photo from Philippine 14 Peaks Expedition Team/Facebook

“We made it to the top of the world.” 

These words marked a historic moment for the Philippine 14 Peaks Expedition Team, as they proudly announced on Facebook that Filipino climbers Jeno Panganiban and Miguel Mapalad have successfully reached the summit of Mount Everest, the highest peak on Earth standing at 8,849 meters above sea level.

Joining them in this remarkable achievement was Ric Rabe, who has become the seventh Filipino to reach the summit of Everest.  Rabe, along with his Sherpa, led their group to the top, braving fierce winds and temperatures that plummeted to a bone-chilling −40°C with the wind chill. He has since returned safely to the Everest Base Camp.

But this milestone, the team emphasized, is not just about individual success. “This victory isn’t theirs alone,” they wrote, extending the triumph to the late PJ Santiago II, whose legacy and sacrifice remain deeply interwoven with the journey.

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Santiago, who had been part of the same expedition, tragically died at Camp IV, infamously known as the “death zone.

”Though he never made it to the summit, the team said he “gave everything for this dream with love, courage and pride for the Philippines.”

The team further expressed that the climb was for more than just personal glory. “This climb was never just for them—it was for all Filipinos. To show that we can dream big, rise higher and endure together.”

The team also extended their heartfelt gratitude to their Sherpa guides, Dawang Sherpa and Pasang Sherpa, acknowledging their strength and expertise. They thanked families, friends and sponsors who stood by them throughout the expedition.

As Panganiban and Mapalad began their descent, the team asked for continued prayers for their safe return.