Dannyka Manangan

Miguel Mapalad on conquering Mt. Everest: ‘Akala ko imposible na pangarap!’

Article (news)

Rhea Manila Santos

Push Team

<p>After successfully conquering Mt. Everest earlier this month, mountaineer Miguel Angelo Mapalad proudly shared his experience on his journey to reach the summit of the world’s highest peak. Miguel, along with his fellow climber Jeno Panganiban, is a member of the local mountaineering group, called the “Philippine 14 Peaks Expedition Team,” which aims to summit all 14 of the world&#x27;s 8,000-meter peaks. (Mt. Everest is 8,849 meters above sea level.) </p><p> A full-time mountain guide, the 42-year-old mountaineer has already conquered iconic peaks such as Ama Dablam, Kilimanjaro, Island Peak, Lobuche Peak, Mount Kazbek, and numerous high-altitude mountains throughout Asia.</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-2" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DIV8bLUPeOK/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A2%2C%22os%22%3A1267883.2000000002%2C%22ls%22%3A77534.10000000056%2C%22le%22%3A77965.70000000019%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-2" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-1" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIwZulEIjEw/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A1%2C%22os%22%3A155397.39999999944%2C%22ls%22%3A17675.799999999814%2C%22le%22%3A18333%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-1" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/4/5/meet-the-2-filipino-mountaineers-climbing-mount-everest-this-month-1225"><strong>READ: Meet the 2 Filipino mountaineers climbing Mount Everest this month</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-3" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DI6J3SxvHzg/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A3%2C%22os%22%3A197118%2C%22ls%22%3A17675.799999999814%2C%22le%22%3A18333%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-3" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>Having felt blessed to have been chosen by local brand Delimondo as their first sponsored climber just earlier this year, Miguel shared that he is extremely thankful for the opportunity.</p><p>“Nagsimula ako na akala ko imposible na pangarap. Hindi naman masama mangarap eh. Libre. So nag-tiyaga ako, nag-plan ng nag-plan hanggang sa itinuloy ko na mag-plan sa Mt. Everest. So I’m a mountain guide so sanay na ako na lagi akong nasa Himalayas. Yung Mt. Everest kasi siya yung highest. Na-in love ko sa Himalayas nung nakita ko yung Everest nung 2013. So sabi sa akin nung kasama kong guide, sherpa na nakatira dun, ‘Bago ka lang sa ganitong altitude. Pilipino ka, baka mahirapan ka. Imposible na marating mo yung tuktok.’ Hindi ako naniwala. Eh may mga nakaakyat na na mga Pilipino eh,” he recalled during his presscon at the Delimondo Cafe in Makati City last June 11. </p><div></div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-5" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJ_hHOSS0pQ/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A5%2C%22os%22%3A301353.5999999996%2C%22ls%22%3A17675.799999999814%2C%22le%22%3A18333%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-5" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js">
	FROALA - EM

</script><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-7" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DK9cvGiyPrZ/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A7%2C%22os%22%3A373899.2999999998%2C%22ls%22%3A17675.799999999814%2C%22le%22%3A18333%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-7" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>Before climbing the mountain known for its unforgiving temperatures and challenging terrain, Miguel said he wanted to be fully prepared for the eight-day long journey.</p><p>“So nag-research ako, sinundan ko yung training plan for Mt. Everest. Kailangan na kailangan sanayin yung katawan. Nag-training kami, nag-acclimatize. Nag-a-adjust tayo. Para tayong tao na nakatira sa tubig na hindi naman tayo dun nakatira so sinasanay ko yung katawan. Five months yung preparation.</p><p>&quot;Nagpunta ako ng Himalayas ng April 4. Nag-start na ako ng acclimatization trek. Nung paakyat pa lang ako, unti na unti na yung sumusubaybay sa pag-akyat ko. They said they would pray for my success. Sila yung nagbigay sa akin ng araw-araw pagkanagbabasa ako ng comments sa social media, siya yung nagbibigay sa akin ng lakas pag nakakaramdam ako ng lamig o hirap ng kung ano mang challenges. Yung mga messages, yung mga commetns at prayers, yan yung nagbibigay sa akin ng lakas. Totoo yun,” he explained. </p><div><br/></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2025/6/8/pinoy-climbers-back-home-after-reaching-mount-everest-summit-1937"><strong>READ: Pinoy climbers back home after reaching Mount Everest summit</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>During the Delimondo presscon, Miguel also admitted to still having some fear over certain parts of the trek.</p><p>“Hanggang sa eto na yung summit push. Yun yung pinaka challenging na part, yung pinaka-nakakatakot na part. Dati pinapanuod ko lang yan sa TV, ngayon dinadaanan ko na wow, nakakatakot (laughs). Yung icefall madaming nadidisgrasya diyan, yun talaga yung pinaka-kinatatakutan ko na lugar sa Everest. Sabi ko, ‘Naku, eto na. Dadaan talaga tayo dito. No choice.’ Kaya lang, paano mo maabot yung mga panagarap mo kung uunahin mo yung takot? At saka tiwala naman ako sa capacity ko. Tiwala rin ako sa mga equipments ngayon, sa forecast, mga ganyan. And tiwala rin ako kay God siyempre. Binigyan niya ako ng lakas. Lagi na lang Siya yung tinatawag ko. </p><p>&quot;So nalagpasan ko yan, yung challenging part. Eto pa ang nakakatakot, apat na beses kaming dadaan dun. Nung una ko siyang nalagpasan, nawala na yung takot ko. So I survived and then yung lamig naman, kaya naman ng jacket yan. Tapos tumagal ng tumagal, umabot kami sa Dead Zone. Pangalan pa lang nakakatakot na. Isa rin yan sa pangarap kong madaanan. Nag-stay kami sa Dead Zone, na-survive ko siya and then the summit push, inabot kami ng 12 hours papuntang summit kasi sobrang dami talaga ng umaakyat nung time na yun,” he shared. </p><div></div><p>Miguel also explained exactly what he felt before reaching the top of Mt. Everest. “Medyo dramatic ng onti nung malapit na kami ng summit. Parang sa last 10 steps, eto na yung matagal mong pinangarap for 20 years. Yung last 10 steps ko parang in slow motion. Na-realize ko na grabe, matatapos ko na siya. Hindi naman ako makaluha kasi baka magyelo. Once na nakaabot na ako sa peak, sa pinaka peak, ano bang ginawa ko? Siyempre nag-picture ako (laughs).”</p><div><br/></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-9" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKj33wfPgeg/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A9%2C%22os%22%3A451620.2999999998%2C%22ls%22%3A17675.799999999814%2C%22le%22%3A18333%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-9" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-11" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DK3Kka7yULi/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A11%2C%22os%22%3A488928.0999999996%2C%22ls%22%3A17675.799999999814%2C%22le%22%3A18333%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="746" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-11" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>Contrary to those who think climbing down a mountain is easier than going up, Miguel said descending Everest also had it’s scary moments for him.</p><p>“Pagbaba inabot kami ng traffic. Dun ako nakakita ng mga casualties so medyo nakakatakot ano? Pero kailangan ko talaga bumaba  for my safety. Yung sherpa ko, pinapalo na ako, ‘Let’s go, let’s go! Wala ka na oxygen.’ Lalo na ako natakot. Kaya lang no choice kasi traffic and tinamaan ako ng snow blindness pababa. Most of us magkakaroon ng snow blindness so yung dagdag sa challenge ko pababa parang wala akong makita. Pag bumababa kami may mga matatarik na parte, minsan nag-ta-tumbling na lang ako dun pababa (laughs). Masakit,” he admitted.  </p><div></div><p>Apart from the fatigue, Miguel also said they consumed nothing but water during their unforgettable climb. “Wala kaming kinain from the summit push. Kasi umabot kami ng camp 4 ng 2 p.m. and then nag-boil lang kami ng tubig, nag-hydrate, then 6:15 p.m. nag-summit push na kami so wala ng time kumain. Meron kaming chocolate bars. Meron akong corned beef, kaso wala na talagang oras para magluto eh. Tapos yung chocolate naman sobrang tigas, hindi ko makain. Ang ration lang namin tubig at saka yung oxygen.</p><p>&quot;And going up, mahira uminom ng tubig kasi may mask ka. Yung one liter ng tubig, inabot ako ng hanggang next day. Hindi ko pa naubos kasi nag-yelo na siya. So yun yung challenge na nagdagdag kung bakit ako nahirapan pababa,” he added. </p><p>When he and his team finally reached the base camp, Miguel shared how heartwarming it was to know he was being thought of back home.</p><p>“Pagbaba uwing uwi na ako kasi gusto ko na kumain ng masarap na pagkain eh. Pagdating namin ng base camp, ayun may internet na ulit. Nagulat ako sa mga messages, sa mga prayers, sa mga followers. Sobrang thankful kami. ‘Buhay ka pa ba sir?’ So ang daming nag-alala, ang daming nagdasal, ang daming nag-congratulate. Actually wala akong ginawa sa base camp kundi magbasa ng messages hanggang sa kinabukasan nag-decide na kaming bumaba at excited na kaming kumain ng masarap at maligo at uminom ng mainit ng tubig,” he said. </p><div></div><div></div><div></div>

<p>Mountaineer Miguel Mapalad reveals the scariest moments for him upon reaching summit of the world’s highest peak.</p>

Mountaineer Miguel Mapalad reveals the scariest moments for him upon reaching summit of the world’s highest peak.