Rhisael “Ric” Rabe became the latest Filipino to reach the summit of Mt. Everest on Thursday, May 15, pioneer tour operator Makalu Adventure reported.

On a post, Rabe accomplished the daunting mission of reaching the world’s highest peak of 8,848.48 meters at 7:15 a.m. (Nepal time) on that day along with three Nepalese, one Indian and one British mountaineer. They were led by base camp manager Shiva Bandari.

The group reached the summit through the South Col (Nepal).

Aileen Rabe also confirmed her husband’s feat on a social media post, thanking everyone who supported Ric’s endeavor.

According to Aileen, Ric, who hails from Cotabato City, made his daring quest “unsponsored, unpublicized and quietly determined.”

She, however, said they cannot celebrate yet until Ric is home safe.

“Ric’s journey isn’t over yet. After the summit comes the descent -- first back down to Camp 4, then Camp 3, then Camp 2, then through the dangerous Khumbu Icefall to Base Camp. From there, it’s a 3 to 5-day trek to Lukla, and finally a flight to Kathmandu -- weather permitting,” Aileen wrote.

Ric last posted an update of his quest on April 19, where he detailed his experience of joining the sherpa training group for jumaring and abseiling.

Prior to Ric’s feat, Filipino engineer and mountaineer Philipp Santiago II passed away on the same day, Thursday, May 15, while he and the members of the 2025 Mountaineering Association of Krishnanagar-Snowy Everest Expedition prepared for the summit climb while at Camp 4. The cause of death has yet to be determined.

Two other Filipinos -- Jeno Panganiban and Miguel Mapalad -- are also on their way to the summit spearheaded by the Philippine 14 Peaks Expedition Team.

The last recorded Filipinos who reached Mt. Everest was in 2007 courtesy of Noelle Wenceslao, Janet Belarmino and Carina Dayondon.