Youngest Filipino Male to Summit Mount Everest Returns Home with Century Tuna's Support
Marco Polo Demo
7/16/2025 11:12:00 PM
Jeno’s successful ascent is more than just a personal victory, it is a story of transformation, perseverance, and national pride. Powered by grit and proper nutrition from his official partner Century Tuna, Jeno’s feat marks a significant milestone nearly two decades after the first Filipino reached Everest’s summit.
Carrying the Nation to the Top of the World
“When we were approaching the summit, I felt proud and emotional,” Panganiban recalled. “We knew the whole country was watching. And when I raised the Philippine flag at the top of the world, I knew this journey wasn’t just mine, it was for every Filipino who dares to dream.”For Jeno, the moment wasn’t only about the view or the victory. It was about carrying a nation’s hopes, strength, and resilience to one of the most unforgiving places on Earth.
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From Office Cubicle to Everest Peak
Before becoming a national pride, Panganiban lived a quiet life as a software engineer, working a 9-to-5 job. But his dreams stretched far beyond fluorescent lights and keyboards. He eventually built his own business distributing healthy produce to restaurants, allowing him the flexibility to train and pursue mountaineering full-time.Climbing Everest was not a spur-of-the-moment decision, it was a goal years in the making. “I had to give up a lot,” he said. “But chasing the summit meant becoming someone new, someone stronger.”
Training with Tuna: Fueling the Climb
Jeno’s Everest quest was partnered by Century Tuna, a brand he credits for fueling his training and recovery. His go-to snack? Century Tuna Hot and Spicy with saltine crackers—simple, protein-packed, and a small comfort during grueling training days and extreme climbs.“You have to be comfortable being uncomfortable,” he said. “That’s how we trained every day. We made sure our bodies and minds were ready for the push.”
The "Fit for Any Role" campaign by Century Tuna aligned perfectly with Jeno’s journey, highlighting how physical fitness, mental toughness, and proper nutrition empower individuals to take on life’s biggest challenges.
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Surviving Everest’s Wrath
The road to the summit was far from smooth. Panganiban and his team braved freezing temperatures, shifting glaciers like the Khumbu Icefall, unpredictable avalanches, and dangerously low oxygen levels.“There were moments I questioned everything,” Jeno admitted. “But I reminded myself why I was there. You don’t conquer the mountain—you conquer yourself.”
At the summit, with the Earth stretched out below him and the Philippine flag in hand, the months of training, sacrifice, and near-death risks felt worth it.
Century Tuna Celebrates a Living Testament of Strength Century Pacific Food, Inc. Executive Vice President and COO Greg Banzon lauded Jeno’s achievement, calling him a true symbol of what it means to be fit for any role.
“Jeno is living proof that through dedication, proper nutrition, and strength of will, anyone can reach their own summit,” Banzon said. “He is an inspiration—not just to athletes—but to all Filipinos navigating their own life challenges.”
Inspiring a Nation
Jeno Panganiban’s Everest climb is more than a record-breaking moment. It is a reminder that Filipinos—no matter how young or unassuming, can rise above limits. With courage in the heart and proper fuel in the body, no summit is too high.“I want people to realize,” Jeno said, “that their summit may not look like Everest. It could be graduating school, starting a business, or overcoming something personal. But whatever it is, you can do it—with focus, belief, and the right preparation.”
His homecoming is a celebration not just of one man’s victory, but of the human spirit's ability to reach unimaginable heights.
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