Nearly 20 years after the first Filipino stood atop Mt. Everest, a new generation of adventurers is ready to rise to the challenge.
On April 14, 2025, mountaineers Jeno Panganiban and Miguel Mapalad will set out on the Mt. Everest Expedition 2025, aiming to once again raise the Philippine flag on the world’s highest peak.
Driven by passion, perseverance, and a deep reverence for nature, the duo’s mission extends beyond personal ambition. Their climb is a tribute to the pioneers who paved the way and a powerful call to inspire future generations of Filipino explorers. It is both a journey and a statement: that Filipino mountaineers deserve their place on the global stage.
The expedition is spearheaded by the Philippine 14 Peaks Expedition Team, an elite group committed to conquering all 14 of the world’s highest mountains—each towering above 8,000 meters. The team marked its first milestone with the successful summit of Mt. Manaslu (8,163 meters) in October 2024. With Everest now in their sights, they also plan to tackle Mt. Cho Oyu and Mt. Lhotse later this year.
For 29-year-old Jeno Panganiban, the journey began during his college years, when a spontaneous hike with friends sparked a lifelong passion. A graduate of De La Salle University and now a successful entrepreneur managing a wholesale fruit and vegetable business, Panganiban has scaled peaks across Asia, including Mt. Pinatubo, Mt. Fuji (Japan), Mt. Kinabalu (Malaysia), and Mt. Yushan (Taiwan).
His climbing partner, Miguel Mapalad, 42, first stepped into the world of mountaineering in 1999 during a church Bible study hike to Mt. Cristobal in Quezon. A native of San Juan City, Mapalad has since braved icy, high-altitude terrains across Nepal, Africa, and South America. Among his most notable climbs is Mt. Ama Dablam—one of the most technical peaks in the Himalayas.
Climbing Everest, which towers at 8,848 meters, is a monumental undertaking. It demands more than just physical stamina—it requires immense mental strength, strategic preparation, and the courage to endure life-threatening extremes. But for Panganiban and Mapalad, the risks are part of the dream.
As they begin their ascent, they carry not only their own hopes and aspirations, but the pride of a nation that continues to dream big. Their every step will echo with the spirit of Filipino resilience and the desire to reach new heights—literally and figuratively.
The summit awaits—and so does history.