Mount Madia-as, Dormant volcano in Culasi, Antique, Philippines.
Mount Madia-as is a dormant volcano in Culasi, Antique, standing at approximately 2100 meters and featuring a distinctive forest canopy pattern where trees grow close together without touching. The slopes are heavily forested and include numerous waterfalls and carnivorous pitcher plants scattered throughout the terrain.
The mountain's name comes from the Kedatuan of Madja-as, a royal confederation that ruled Panay from the 1200s until the 1500s. This ancient connection reflects how deeply rooted the peak is in the region's earliest history.
The mountain holds deep meaning in local beliefs as the home of Sidapa, a deity connected to life and death in the spiritual traditions of the region. Walking through the forest and listening to stories from the community reveals how this sacred place remains woven into daily life and local customs.
Reaching the summit is demanding and typically takes two to three days along the Flores Trail, which passes through thick forest and steep sections. Local guides from Culasi town know the route well and can assist climbers throughout the journey.
The slopes contain roughly fourteen waterfalls that cascade at different elevations, creating a network of water features throughout the forested terrain. Scientists studying the region's rare carnivorous pitcher plants have made it a focus for research in the Western Visayas.
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