Filipino duo Jeno Panganiban and Miguel Mapalad successfully summited Mount Everest last May 18, becoming the 10th and 11th Filipinos to do so.
Jeno Panganiban and Miguel Mapalad had so much more than just their personal goals when they successfully summited Mount Everest last month, as they also bore the hopes of the Philippine mountaineering community.
Led by their group, the Philippine 14 Peaks Expedition Team, Panganiban and Mapalad were able to conquer the world’s highest peak. With the biggest success already under their belts, the duo are looking outward.
That is, when they realized their own dreams, they now hope to inspire others to do the same.
[READ: Filipinos Jeno Panganiban, Miguel Mapalad successfully summit Mount Everest]
“Meaningful yung byahe namin, yung mission namin. Kasi para marami kaming ma-inspire na tao sa pagakyat namin at sa storya ng buhay namin sa pag-climb,” said Mapalad right after landing in Manila on Sunday morning.
The journey was far from easy, as both climbers were pushed to the limit.
For Panganiban, there were multiple challenges that stood their way. But with the Filipino community and the country’s pride pushing them on, it was adamant that they push through with their journey, for the sake of the Philippines.
“Sobrang daming suffering pero it was all worth it doing this for our country. Nakaka-proud. Sobrang saya,” said Panganiban.
“Sobrang nakaka-proud lahat ng paghihirap, lamig, hingal, gutom, uhaw. Sobrang worth it para sa bayan,” he added.
As for the lesson they want to pass on, Mapalad especially wanted to give the message that it’s never too late to pursue your dreams. At 42, he was able to realize his goal of climbing Mount Everest thanks to his partnership with Panganiban.
“Eto[ng climb], para sa bayan to at para sa mga kapwa naming mga mountaineers no na wag susuko sa mga pangarap niyo. Gaya namin. Nangarap lang nung una, akala namin imposible, pero, natupad din,” he said.
Panganiban and Mapalad were welcomed by family and supporters alike at Terminal 3 when they arrived from Hong Kong, where they have been recovering for the past few weeks since they reached the summit in Nepal.
The duo are expected to recover for a few weeks more before they attempt to go on another expedition in the coming months.