As spring unfurls across the Himalayas, Jeno Panganiban and Miguel Mapalad are packing more than just gear–they carry with them the weight of ambition and national pride as they set out to conquer Mt. Everest.
The two Filipino mountaineers hope to wave the Philippine flag once again at the tallest peak in the world, 18 years after Noelle Wenceslao, Janet Belarmino and Carina Dayondon summited Everest in 2007.
Panganiban and Mapalad know that stepping into this feat is not just about climbing mountains—it is a test of grit, perseverance and the will to move them.
Finding the spark
Their journey to Everest began long before they stepped foot in the Himalayas.
Mapalad found his spark to become a mountaineer after conquering his first climb at the ever-famous “Devil’s Mountain”—Mt. Cristobal in Quezon. For Panganiban, it casually began with his curiosity on the camps and local mountains his third-year college peers often talked about.
“Medyo nainggit ako sa mga bago nilang Instagram or profile pictures sa Facebook. So nasabi ko sa sarili ko, parang gusto ko rin ‘yan,” he said, grinning.
Meanwhile, Panganiban recalled his first hike at Mt. Talamitam in Nasugbu, Batangas.
“It was hell for me. Kasi bago sa akin ‘yung experience. Nakakapagod ang init. Nakakauhaw. Pero sobrang fulfilling ‘yung experience,” he shared
This fulfillment is something he and Mapalad hope many Filipinos will have through exploring the country’s trails such as Rizal’s Mt. Tanay and Montalban’s Mt. Hapunang Banoi.
“Maraming mga easy hikes. Dumadami na rin ang hikers,” said Mapalad.
“Happy ako na nagiging active pero at the same time, nakakabasa ako na maraming tao tapos maraming kalat. So napapabayaan mga trails natin,” Panganiban lamented. “Bisita lang naman tayo.”
They hope trails get managed properly by authorities and that hikers take care of their “playground.”
Their profound appreciation for nature and the thrill of adventure has fueled their pursuit to seek higher peaks all across the globe.
As they take on the world’s highest pinnacle, Panganiban and Mapalad share the intense preparations that have prepared them for the summit.
Trail to the summit
For Panganiban, Everest preparations started early in September 2024 when he climbed Nepal’s Mt. Manaslu, the 8th highest mountain in the world ,stretching up to 8,163 meters tall.
“Tapos, just last month, I climbed three peaks sa Everest Range ‘yun. Tatlong 6,000 meters na peaks,” shared Panganiban in an interview with Tinig ng Plaridel.
Last year, both Panganiban and Mapalad took on Mt. Ama Dablam in Nepal, a highly technical climb, but only the latter made the summit, accomplishing one of his most ambitious goals.
“‘Yun ‘yung isang main goal ko talaga eh, before Everest, bago ko puntahan ‘yun, bago ko akyatin ‘yun, inabot ako ng 10 years doon [sa Mt. Ama Dablam],” Mapalad recalled. “[Noong] 2014, 2% lang ‘yung success rate niya.”
Panganiban, despite his determination, had to turn back because of gear issues that made it unsafe to continue.
Winter hiking in Taiwan in February and a few hikes in local peaks as a mountain guide in March were Mapalad’s final tune-ups for the expedition.
“The best preparation for a climb is the climb itself,” he said.
But beyond the physical demands of mountaineering, mental conditioning, gear familiarity, facing harsh mountain conditions and logistics are crucial in making the ascent.
“‘Di lang naman sa katawan mo, pati sa gamit mo, sa mga gagamitin mo. So parang ibi-break in mo rin lahat kasi magre-rely ka rin sa gamit,” said Mapalad.
The journey also means battling homesickness as both climbers spend extended periods of time away from the country and their loved ones.
“Kahit wala akong signal, I try to leave messages sa Messenger ng family ko […] ‘pag nagka-signal ako, mabasa agad nila,” Panganiban shared. “I just have their pictures with me.”
As a mountain guide, Mapalad said he is used to being distant from home, just reeling in the experience to cope.
“Malungkot pero dinadaan ko na lang sa nature. Ang ganda naman kasi ng makikita mong view dito,” Mapalad shared.“Tapos ‘yan na rin yung nagpu-push sa akin na matatapos ko rin ito nang maayos, matutuwa sa akin ‘yung mga mahal ko sa buhay pag-uwi ko.”
In their journey to Mt. Everest, both mountaineers will also contend with the harsh and unpredictable weather of the Himalayas, an additional obstacle for climbers from a tropical country.
“May parts yan na pinakamahirap, ‘yung pinakadelikadong parts sa Everest is yung Khumbu icefall diyan, [iyan] yung prone sa avalanche,” shared Mapalad. “Tsaka ‘yan din yung technical part kasi ‘yan ‘yung tatawid-tawid ka ng mga crevasses.”.
High-altitude climbs come with significant risks. Reduced oxygen levels can increase the likelihood of health issues such as hypoxia and acute mountain sickness, which can cause nausea and fatigue, among others, that can quickly escalate if not properly managed.
“Since kami naman ni Jeno, familiar na kami sa movement, sa high altitude, confident na kami na malalagpasan namin [ito],” said Mapalad.
This underscores the importance of outdoor skills such as first aid and search and rescue, which Mapalad had trained for.
“Noong una medyo nervous ako kasi may mga doubs pa, pero ngayong natapos na ‘yung training namin ni Miguel, confident na, super excited na talaga,” shared Panganiban.
As they gear up with years of preparation and a resilient mindset, they carry a quiet but formidable determination.
“Ang mentality to climb everest ay wag madaliin at magtiwala sa team, magtiwala sa sarili,” said Panganiban.
“This is it. Everest. Malapit na,” Mapalad said with a chuckle.
Now with the world’s apex to conquer in their playground, the duo aims to continue sharing the message and love for mountaineering to Filipinos by dedicating their climb to the community.
“‘Yung akyat namin na ito, hindi lang naman para sa amin. Para ito sa mga Pilipinong mountaineer. Maraming malalakas na mountaineer ngayon,” said Mapalad.
