81-year–old Sergio Palomo conquers Mt. Apo to become the third oldest Filipino to reach the country’s highest peak. He achieved the age-defying feat during his three-day adventure from May 10 to 12, 2024.

Moving through Apo’s high elevations with the help of a licensed guiding group, Palomo overcame all of the mountain’s 2,954 masl (meters above sea level) via the Sta. Cruz Circuit Trail. 

He is the oldest to summit the mountain using the said route, declared Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur’s official tourism page, though only third overall after an 83-year-old Davaoeño and an 82-year-old Caviteña who both summited Mt. Apo in 2022 on separate occasions and using different trail routes.

Palomo, an architect by profession based in Mandaluyong City, conquered Mt. Apo with a huge support group behind him, and was assisted by guiding company "Lakaw ni Paw" headed by Isiah James Tan. 

Through a series of social media posts, the guide group congratulated Palomo, who could be seen enjoying the trail’s beautiful sceneries including the iconic Lake Venado at the foot of the mystical mountain.

“Dumating ng 10:13 in the morning sa Mother Peak. Isa na naman pong patunay na ang edad ay isang numero lang,” one of the posts said.

In September 2022, a farmer by the name of Pascacio Cacedo conquered Mt. Apo at the age of 83 to claim the title of being the oldest local to have ever ascended the country’s tallest peak. He achieved the feat via the Sta. Cruz Boulder Face Trail.

In December of the same year, retired Commission on Audit director Atty. Iluminada Fabora of Cavite reached Apo’s summit at 82 years of age via the Kapatagan, Digos City Trail.