By Louis Andrey R. Pasaje

Rhisael “Ric” Rabe, a proud alumnus of Notre Dame University Elementary Training Department (NDU-ETD), etched his name in Philippine history on May 15, 2025 by conquering Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak. This remarkable feat marks a significant moment for the nation, as Rabe is one of only a handful of Filipinos to reach the summit in nearly two decades.

On July 21, 2025, just over two months after his monumental achievement, Rabe returned to his roots, visiting his alma mater, Notre Dame University. He walked the familiar grounds where he once attended elementary school from 1980 to 1986, reflecting on the formative years that shaped the man who would stand atop the world’s highest peak. During his visit, Rabe engaged with students, not only sharing his incredible story of conquering Everest but also recounting his experiences from various expeditions, inspiring the young minds who now walk the same halls as he once did.

Preparing for the Mount Everest expedition was far from easy. Rabe, who has been mountaineering for 15 years, began committing to intense training in October 2024, balancing it with his work and training his daughter. He often trained alone at night, having already climbed peaks like Mount Fuji and the Alps. He recounts how an early failed expedition to Mont Blanc in 2016 became a powerful motivation for him to push forward. Rabe emphasized that mental strength isn’t just crucial, but is absolutely paramount in the climbing process, even contemplating how many fingers and toes he was willing to lose for the summit. For him, the greatest challenge wasn’t just the mountain, it was conquering the one in his own mind.

“In fact, when I was close to the south summit, sinigawan ko na yung Sherpa (Guide) ko na ‘That’s it, let’s go down.’, and then tinanong ako ‘Are you sure?’ Sumuko ako nung time na yun, kasi frozen na yung toes ko, hindi rin kami maka inom ng tubig kasi jammed ung thermos, may stiff neck, kasi from Camp 3, three days ka nang nagkaka-climb, pitpit na pitpit na yung heels mo. But nung nakita ko na yung light, estimation ko is 3-4 o’clock in the morning na siya, kaya nung tinanong ako ng sherpa ko, di na ako nag respond verbally, umakyat nalang ako, he (Guide) got his answer na tuloy ang laban.”

Rabe’s path to Mount Everest was forged through years of grit, triumph, and tireless ascent. He conquered Mount Kilimanjaro and achieved a double summit on Mount Elbrus. Notably, he summited Mount Aconcagua, the highest mountain outside of the Himalayas, in a remarkable 12 days, setting a new fastest record for any Filipino trekking the mountain. Rabe also shared harrowing experiences, including two near-death experiences in a single day during one of his expeditions. Even closer to home, his commitment to climbing saw him conquer the Philippines’ own Mount Apo twice in under 12 hours.

His incredible journey from Notre Dame University Elementary Training Department to conquering Mount Everest is a powerful testament to perseverance and passion. His historic summit not only marked a personal victory but also a significant milestone for the Philippines. His recent homecoming, filled with rekindled friendships and inspiring stories for the younger generation, emphasized the profound impact of his achievement. In reaching the top of Sagarmatha, also known as “Forehead of the sky”, he proved that with enough courage and dedication, even the boldest dreams, dreams that stretch beyond the clouds, can be made real.

ʟᴀʏᴏᴜᴛ ʙʏ: sʜᴀɪʀᴀʜ ᴅ. ᴜsᴍᴀɴ