Mt. Madjaas in Antique
Mt Madjaas is the highest mountain in the Island of Panay having an elevation of 2090 meters above sea level and has been popularized by the story of the coming of the Bornean Datus’ to the country. Madjaas is easily accessible via Boracay. Allot 2-3 days to explore the place. From Boracay Boat Terminal, proceed to the town of Culasi then take a tricycle to Barangay Flores. The place is not a popular mountaineering destination before since the place was previously a notorious camping ground of insurgents.
Chief among Panay mountains and revered in local culture and tradition, Mt. Madjaas in Culasi, Antique is one of the most challenging climbs in the Visayan islands. Some questions have been raised whether Mt. Madjaas (or Madja-as; Madia-as) is the highest or second highest in Panay, but for now it is recognized as the highest. And regardless of this dispute, Madja-as is certainly the mountain that makes Antique a truly rewarding destination for climbing.
Madjaas means ‘mataas’ in some local dialect, but in English it can suitably described as ‘lofty’ instead of just tall. This loftiness will definitely be felt in the summit which opens up to the view of Western Panay island and the surrounding seas, but it extends to the mossy forests of the mountain, in which several unique flora and found have been identified.
Access is still limited and Madjaas is currently a relative-unexplored peak, but as we get more information we expect that Madjaas’ rightful place will be restored.
Transportation. To access Culasi, take a bus from your arrival point in Panay Island, more frequently Iloilo (4-5 hours ride) or Kalibo (2-3 hours). Then take a tricycle or jeep to the jumpoff at Brgy. Flores.
Mt. Madja-as is accessible from two popular trail-heads - Flores and Alojipan, both are barangays of Culasi, Antique. The original Alojipan Trail which was utilized by the 1977 climbing party follows the ridge adjacent to the right of the Hangod Tubig Trail. The original trail is no longer in use for a ‘bitas’ or ‘break’ caused by landslide in a section of the ridge makes it unpassable.
The Hangod Tubig Trail capitalizes on a creek (’hangod tubig’ means’ big water’) northwest of the Madja-as summit that serves as the last water-source for the assault of the peak. This trail was established late in 1997 by a 21-member party sponsored by the Department of Tourism and the Antique Provincial Government, largely an Antiqueno mountaineering group (Jeffrey is a member of this party) that climbed the summit and traversed to the opposite trail in Flores.
Dimas Maquiling is a common guide in all the mountaineering climbs that start in Alojipan. He knows three of such climbs that utilized the Hangod Tubig Trail (the author could not determine the route taken by a large climbing party participated by some Americans or Caucasians and led by San Jose mountaineers). Of these three climbing parties, only the 1997 party did a successful climb of the true summit. The UPVM party (a student group) reached only Banderahan Dos while another UP party (a professional group) reached as far as the First Peak.
Contact Information
sb5033@yahoo.com
MT. MADJAAS
Culasi, Antique
