Mount Madja-as

Mount Madja-as
Mount Madja-as
	Mount Madja-as in Culasi, Antique, as seen from Aklan
Highest point
Elevation	6,946 ft (2,117 m)
Prominence	6,946 ft (2,117 m)
Listing	1st-highest point in Antique ; 1st-highest peak on Panay island ; 2nd-highest mountain in the Visayas ; 9th-most prominent mountain in the Philippines ; 61st-highest peak of an island in the world ; Ultra prominent peak ;
Geography
	Mount Madja-as Location of Mount Madja-as on Panay Island in the Visayas, Philippines Mount Madja-as Mount Madja-as (Philippines)
Location	Panay
Country	Philippines
Province	Antique
Parent range	Central Panay Mountain Range
Geology
Mountain type	Dormant volcano
Last eruption	unknown
Climbing
First ascent	unknown
Easiest route	Flores Trail and Alojipan Trail in Culasi, Antique ; Panipiason Trail in Madalag, Aklan ;

Last updated July 22, 2024

Mount Madja-as is a large dormant volcano, and the highest peak on the island of Panay and in the Western Visayas region in the Philippines, and second highest mountain in the Visayas, after Mount Kanlaon on Negros. With an elevation of 6,946 feet (2,117 meters) above sea level, making it 61st-highest peak of an island in the world and the 9th-most prominent mountain in the Philippines. The mountain is most famous for its crown shyness forest, mossy forest, sea of clouds and rich for its diverse flora and fauna and 14 waterfalls down to its slopes. Located in Culasi, Antique, dominating the landscape for miles around as far as 76 kilometers, the view of the mountain is still visible from Kalibo, Aklan, overlooking to the southwest.

Madja-as is technically one of the most challenging mountain to climb in Visayas, alongside Mount Baloy, Mount Nangtud and Mount Kanlaon. The Panipiason Trail is technically most difficult in Madja-as, located in Panipiason, Madalag, Aklan and the easiest route are Flores trail and Alojipan trail, located in Culasi, Antique.

History

The mountain has been regarded as one of the most sacred abodes in the Visayas since ancient times, as it is said to have been the repository of Sidapa's ancient sacred tree that is used to measure mortal lives. In mythology, the god of meteors, Bulalakaw, and supreme goddess of the Hiligaynon, Kanlaon, are said to have lived in the mountain prior to their change of abode. Pandaki, god of second chances, is also said to occasionally visit the mountain.^{[ citation needed ]}

Geography

Its summit is 2,117 metres (6,946 ft) above sea level, and it is covered by misty forest. Madja-as in Kinaray-a, means "mataas", "high" or "lofty". The name of the mountain is also associated with the Kedatuan of Madja-as, a royal state confederation in Panay which existed from 1200 AD to 1569 AD.^[1] It is located in the town of Culasi in Antique Province. The legendary mountain of Madia-as has been part of Antiqueño's culture, history and literature.

It has a total of 14 waterfalls and the source of four major rivers in Northern Antique, the mighty Dalanas River, Tibiao River, Bacong River, Mali-ao River and the neighboring province of Aklan the tributary of Aklan River the Timbaban River and Dumarayray River. One can see some of the biggest waterfalls like white strands in the slopes of the mountain. To the southeast face Mount Madia-as facing to its neighboring rival, the 6,804 ft (2,074 m) Mount Nangtud the second highest peak in Panay separated by Dalanas and Kigas River 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) from Mount Madia-as.

Mythology

According to Visayan mythology, the mountain is home to Sidapa, the handsome and robust god of death and war who wore a crown made of golden horns. Sidapa is believed to possess a very tall tree where he measures the lives of all the new-born, and places a mark on the tree. When the person's stature equals the mark provided, the person dies immediately.^[2] Afterwards, Sidapa will reap the kalag (soul) of a person and bring it to Magwayen, who in turn brings the soul to Salud or Saad (place of the dead). Sidapa is said to determine the life force of a person by using magical trees in his mountain home.^[3]

Bulalakaw, the god of meteors, also lived in the mountain. Sidapa and Bulalakaw are known to be good friends. Bulalakaw later chose to dwell in the sky to formally take on the role as god of meteors. Pandaki, the god of second chances, is said to occasionally visit Sidapa, who he is very fond of and loyal to. The supreme goddess, Kanlaon, is believed to have lived in Mount Madia-as for some time as well, however, she later transferred her abode to Mount Kanlaon in Negros island after the Hiligaynon epic heroes Kan and Laon slayed the dragon-like monster that lived in Mount Kanlaon.^[4]

Popular media

On March 28, 2021, Mount Madja-as was featured on GMA Network evening show weekend, Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho. Featuring Mount Madjaas summit and sea of clouds, Bonzai mossy forest and crown shyness forest, the EnchantedBantang River, pitcher plants, orchids and Madjaas trail.

On February 25, 2021, Mount Madja-as went viral for the first time on social media after ABS-CBN News posted some photos of the mossy and enchanted crown shyness forest covering Mount Madja-as summit, shared by the mountaineer Ompz Felicio.

Hiking Activities

Hiking to the summit of Mount Madja-as is 2 to 3 days hikes via Flores Trail, with 8/9 difficulty. one of the most challenging and toughest mountain to climb in the Visayas. The jump off start at Barangay Flores in Culasi, Antique. To the East-Face of Madja-as, is the hardest and technically most difficult to climb, the Panipiason Trail in Madalag, Aklan.

Josue Alejo, known as " tatay Josue " he was a legendary lead guide to the summit of Mount Madjaas.

2003 disappearance

In March 2003 a solo hiker identified as Elyovic Gutierrez, from Cavite, disappeared, seemingly without a trace in Mount Madja-as, as he was descending from the mountain. The search lasted for weeks by the local government and rescue helicopter and his fate remains unknown.^{[ citation needed ]}

Point of interest

1.Mount Madja-as summit

2.Mount Madja-as crown shyness forest

3.Mount Madja-as Sea of clouds

4.Mount Madja-as mossy forest

5.The Enchanted " Bantang River "

6.Libug Falls

7.Sitio Kamandiga

8.Barangay Flores

9.Barangay Alojipan

10.Dinawan Lake (Tinagong Dagat)

11.Mount Madja-as Pine trees

12. Mount Madjaas Pitcher plant

Related Research Articles

Panay is the sixth-largest and fourth-most populous island in the Philippines, with a total land area of 12,011 km² (4,637 sq mi) and a total population of 4,542,926, as of 2020 census. Panay comprises 4.4 percent of the entire population of the country. The City of Iloilo is its largest settlement with a total population of 457,626 inhabitants, as of 2020 census.

Aklan, officially the Province of Aklan, is a province in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines. Its capital is Kalibo. The province is situated in the northwest portion of Panay Island, bordering Antique to the southwest, and Capiz to the southeast. Aklan faces the Sibuyan Sea and Romblon province to the north.

Antique, officially the Province of Antique, is a province in the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Its capital is San Jose de Buenavista, the most populous town in Antique. The province is situated in the western section of Panay Island and borders Aklan, Capiz and Iloilo to the east, while facing the Sulu Sea to the west.

Capiz, officially the Province of Capiz, is a province in the Philippines located in the central section of Western Visayas region. Its capital is the city of Roxas. It is located at the northeastern portion of Panay Island, bordering Aklan to the north, Antique to the west, and Iloilo to the south. Capiz faces the Sibuyan Sea to the north.

Western Visayas is an administrative region in the Philippines, numerically designated as Region VI. It consists of five provinces: Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, and Iloilo. The region also includes one highly urbanized city, Iloilo City, which is the largest city and serves as the regional center.

Kalibo, officially the Municipality of Kalibo, is a first-class municipality and capital of the Province of Aklan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 89,127 people.

Roxas, officially the City of Roxas, is a 3rd class component city and capital of the province of Capiz, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 179,292 people, making it the second-most populous city in Western Visayas, after Iloilo City.

Buruanga, officially the Municipality of Buruanga, is a 5th class municipality in the province of Aklan, Philippines. It is the farthest town of Aklan from its provincial capital. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 19,357 people.

Nabas, officially the Municipality of Nabas, is a 4th class municipality in the province of Aklan, Philippines. Nabas serves as the arrival gateway of Boracay Airport. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 40,632 people, making it the fifth most populous town in Aklan Province..

Numancia, officially the Municipality of Numancia, is a 4th class municipality in the province of Aklan, Philippines. Because of its proximity to the Capital Town of Kalibo, majority of its baranggays are classified as urbanized making the municipality the second most densely populated municipality in the province with 1,200 inhabitants per square kilometres. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 35,693 people.

Barbaza, officially the Municipality of Barbaza, is a 4th class municipality in the province of Antique, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 23,359 people.

Culasi, officially the Municipality of Culasi, is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Antique, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 44,494 people. Making it fourth most populous municipality in the province of Antique and third largest municipality in terms of land area, with a total area of 228.56 square kilometers.

Pandan, officially the Municipality of Pandan, is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Antique, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 35,965 people. Making it 7th most populous municipality in the province of Antique.

Sibalom, officially the Municipality of Sibalom,, is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Antique, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 63,833 people. Thus, making it a suburb of San Jose, the second most populous municipality in the province of Antique and fifth largest municipality in terms of land area, with a total area of 201.30 square kilometers.

The Karay-a are a Visayan ethnic group native to the islands of Panay and Palawan in the Philippines. They speak the Karay-a language.

The Confederation of Madja-as was a legendary pre-colonial supra-baranganic polity on the island of Panay in the Philippines. It was mentioned in Pedro Monteclaro's book titled Maragtas. It was supposedly created by Datu Sumakwel to exercise his authority over all the other datus of Panay. Like the Maragtas and the Code of Kalantiaw, the historical authenticity of the confederation is disputed, as no other documentation for Madja-as exists outside of Monteclaro's book. However, the notion that the Maragtas is an original work of fiction by Monteclaro is disputed by a 2019 Thesis, named "Mga Maragtas ng Panay: Comparative Analysis of Documents about the Bornean Settlement Tradition" by Talaguit Christian Jeo N. of the De La Salle University who stated that, "Contrary to popular belief, the Monteclaro Maragtas is not a primary source of the legend but is rather more accurately a secondary source at best" as the story of the Maragtas also appeared in the Augustinian Friar, Rev. Fr. Tomas Santaren’s Bisayan Accounts of Early Bornean Settlements Additionally, the characters and places mentioned in the Maragtas book, like Rajah Makatunaw and Madj-as can be found in Ming Dynasty Annals and Arabic Manuscripts. However, the written dates go earlier since Rajah Makatunaw was recorded to have been from 1082 AD and was a descendant of Seri Maharajah while the Code of Maragtas, a separate work from the Maragtas book, placed him at the 1200s.

The Northwest Panay Peninsula Natural Park is located on the island of Panay, in the provinces of Aklan and Antique of the Philippines which was proclaimed a natural park by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on 18 April 2002. The Northwest Panay Peninsula Natural Park has an area of 120.09 km², found within the municipalities of Nabas, Malay, Buruanga, Libertad and Pandan.

Central Panay Mountain Range is the longest and largest mountain range in the island of Panay and Western Visayas in the Philippines. With a total length of 170 km (110 mi) long north–south and 34 km (21 mi) width east–west. Mount Madja-as is the highest point with an elevation of 6,946 feet above sea level. It is famous for its diverse flora and fauna, mossy forest, pristine river's, Waterfalls and clusters of Rice Terraces. Located through the western Panay, from vicinity of Ibajay, Aklan to the north to Anini-y, Antique southern tip to the south. Occupied almost the entire province of the eastern portions of Antique, western Iloilo, western Capiz and western Aklan.

Mount Nangtud is the second highest peak on the island of Panay, in the Philippines and third highest mountain in the Visayas, after Mount Kanlaon and Mount Madja-as. With an elevation of 2,074 m (6,804 ft) above sea level, it is located in Jamindan, Capiz sharing border with Barbaza, Antique. Mount Nangtud is famous for its "sea of clouds" and rich for its diverse flora and fauna and mossy forest. It is part of the Central Panay Mountain Range, the longest and largest mountain range in Panay and Western Visayas.

The 1990 Panay earthquake occurred at 3:41 p.m. local time on 14 June 1990 with a moment magnitude of 7.1, leaving eight dead and 41 others injured. The epicenter was located at Culasi, Antique on Panay Island in the Philippines. The depth was computed to be 15 kilometers. It was generated by fault movement in the collisional zone off western Panay Island.

References

↑ "Mt. Madjaas". Pinoy Mountaineer. March 6, 2009. Archived from the original on June 8, 2017. Retrieved May 27, 2017.
↑ Cf. Blair, Emma Helen & Robertson, James Alexander, eds. (1903). The Philippine Islands, 1493–1803. Volume 05 of 55 (1582–1583). Historical introduction and additional notes by Edward Gaylord Bourne. Cleveland, Ohio: Arthur H. Clark Company. ISBN 978-0554259598. OCLC 769945704. "Explorations by early navigators, descriptions of the islands and their peoples, their history and records of the catholic missions, as related in contemporaneous books and manuscripts, showing the political, economic, commercial and religious conditions of those islands from their earliest relations with European nations to the beginning of the nineteenth century.", pp. 129 and 131.
↑ "Sidapa the god of death".
↑ Isabelo de los Reyes y Florentino, Las Islas Visayas en la Época de la Conquista (Segunda edición), Manila: 1889, Tipo-Litografía de Chofké y C.a, p. 41.

11°23′21″N122°09′46″E / 11.3892°N 122.1629°E / 11.3892; 122.1629

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[1] "Mt. Madjaas". Pinoy Mountaineer. March 6, 2009. Archived from the original on June 8, 2017. Retrieved May 27, 2017.

[2] Cf. Blair, Emma Helen & Robertson, James Alexander, eds. (1903). The Philippine Islands, 1493–1803. Volume 05 of 55 (1582–1583). Historical introduction and additional notes by Edward Gaylord Bourne. Cleveland, Ohio: Arthur H. Clark Company. ISBN 978-0554259598. OCLC 769945704. "Explorations by early navigators, descriptions of the islands and their peoples, their history and records of the catholic missions, as related in contemporaneous books and manuscripts, showing the political, economic, commercial and religious conditions of those islands from their earliest relations with European nations to the beginning of the nineteenth century.", pp. 129 and 131.

[3] "Sidapa the god of death".

[Reyes_y_Florentino_1889,_p._41-4] Isabelo de los Reyes y Florentino, Las Islas Visayas en la Época de la Conquista (Segunda edición), Manila: 1889, Tipo-Litografía de Chofké y C.a, p. 41.

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