General: Negros (The Philippines)

A legend says, that, long before the Spaniards landed in Negros - the fourth largest island in the Philippine archipelago, there lived a warrior and gallant prince, Kanla-on, the son of King Suta, ruler of mountains and wilderness. He was in love with Princess Marapara, daughter of Datu Mandalagan, ruler of the northern winds.

On the day of their marriage, an intruder arrived. He was Silay-on, prince of fishermen, from Pulupandan. ...
...fight. Silay-on was slain by Kanla-on and Marapara also was accidentally hit and killed by a spear.

Princess Marapara was burried, the spear thrusted into her burrial ground. Misteriously, the spear turned itself into the stem of a plant with grass-like leaves. A sweet juice could be extracted from it and so, the plant was called

" Sugarcane "


Prince Kanla-on never married until he died ... more

A legend says, that, long before the Spaniards landed in Negros - the fourth largest island in the Philippine archipelago, there lived a warrior and gallant prince, Kanla-on, the son of King Suta, ruler of mountains and wilderness. He was in love with Princess Marapara, daughter of Datu Mandalagan, ruler of the northern winds.

On the day of their marriage, an intruder arrived. He was Silay-on, prince of fishermen, from Pulupandan. Because of jealousy, the two warriors clashed into a fierce fight. Silay-on was slain by Kanla-on and Marapara also was accidentally hit and killed by a spear.

Princess Marapara was burried, the spear thrusted into her burrial ground. Misteriously, the spear turned itself into the stem of a plant with grass-like leaves. A sweet juice could be extracted from it and so, the plant was called

" Sugarcane "

Prince Kanla-on never married until he died and was burried amidst the plains of sugarcane. A great mount of earth appeared in his buried site until it grew into a tall and majestic mountain:

Mount Kanla-on

Natives believe it is a "sacred volcano", a dwelling place for spirits and that, within the mountain is the residence of Prince Kanla-on. Now ant then, he gives utterance about his dissatisfaction with the world outside.

If one is lucky .... on a day with full moon and low-tide at midnight, he is allowed to enter the palace in Mount Kanla-on and get an invitation to enjoy the grace of excellent hospitality as guest of Prince Kanla-on and Princess Marapara. It's similar like in Mount Untersberg, the residence of Emperor Barbarossa - near Salzburg in my "original" home-country Austria, where I was born and grew up.

Unfortunately, I didn't approach Untersberg - but, sometimes, I'm in Kanla-on ..... after my arrival in Guintubdan, a barangay of La Carlota City in an elevation of 800-1,000 meters (2,500-3,000 feet) above sea level, when I return from another tour to "Euroland".

Days without phone calls, no appointments, news ..... short, relaxful vacations, holidays in a still unpolluted environ.

It is a quiet place - except the sound of waterfalls and cock-crows, but - this is "sweet music" and you know that they grow up in good and healthy conditions. Guintubdan is an ideal breeding station for fighting cocks. The best and fierciest - winner in cockpits - come from there.

Because of its fertile volcano soil, the area is called "a fruit and vegetable basket of Sugarlandia", with one of the entrances to

Kanla-on National Park

a 25,000 hectar wilderness around summit and craters and on the slopes of Mount Kanla-on, one of the most active volcanos in the Philippines, and with its 2,465 meters (8,088 feet) the highest peak in Visayas. Out of around 200 volcanos in the Philippine archipelago, 21 are active.

Lola (granny) prepares the best chicken and the sweetest bibinka (rice cakes) - in her house still without electricity. AirCon? Not neccessary in the fresh mountain air; clean and clear water not from a pipe, but from a spring in the garden with beautiful flowers, several kinds of orchids and other plants.

Guintubdan is a vantage point: Kanla-on in the back, viewing Panay on the sunse-side. Guimaras in between, also known as "Mango Island" because of its 140,000 trees. No motorized traffic - except sometimes delivery vans, pick-up cars for transfers of cocks to Banago Pier and Bacolod Airport; jeepneys and tricycles (motor-bikes with side-car) from La Carlota City and neighbouring barangays. Some tropical rainshowers more than in the plains.

Tops are most time of the day in clouds - except in the morning. So, it's recommended to calculate three days for a

Tour to summit and crater:

First day - from the entrance of Kanla-on National Park up to the region below summit. Perpare basis camp.

Next morning - to summit and old crater. Take a relaxing bath in the cool and fresh water of the lake, filled during rainy season; so, it's only available till summer, later the lake is dry. Afternoon - back to the camp.

Third day - return to the occidental side of Negros, or continue to Canla-on City in Negros Oriental.

On tour, one can see many endemic species in flora and fauna - unfortunately, more and more endangered to be extinct due to global environment conditions. Sorry, something is "home made" due to neglected environment protection by some people and even government authorities.

Volcano activities

In intervals of one, two or more years, Mount Kanla-on exhibits, more or less, vehement "phreatic explosions", which are result of hydrothermal disturbances, when cold water from outside get inside in the hot area of the volcano and steam is emitted, comperable to the pressure valve of a steam-cooker or a boiler, via the crater, carrying old sedimentary ash, dust, sand, from the ground of the crater into the atmoshere.

These events can happen any time without showing warning signs, the reason why the area in a radius of four kilometers from the crater is declared as a permanent "danger zone".

Natives living on the lower slopes and the foot of the volcano, are "familiar" with activities of Mount (and Prince) Kanla-on. "Normal routine" is the rule, as long as the roof remains on the house if it isn't raining stones and rocks.

P A S A L A M A T

A festive atmosphere is during the last week of April on the western foot of Mount Kanla-on, in La Carlota - the "City of Lights" for its beautiful decorated and llighted trees, surrounding the stage at the City Plaza. It is my home-place when I'm not in the bustling metropolitan area of Cebu or on tour in Global Village.

Pasalamat - based on a tradition of giving thanks to the gods of the elements after a bountiful harvest season by the anchestors of Buglas. Highlighted in the festival is the search for the Pasalamat Queen - who is offered to the gods of nature, on Sunday closest to the First of May.

Splendid groups (of the 14 barangays), all in colorful costumes, danced to the Spanish rhytm of the drum and bugle corps - all showcasted in a magnificent street parade that goes throughout the entire city and viewers on the sidewalks are encouraged to join.

Come and visit MY COUNTY and meet ITS PEOPLE

Alfred N. Bruckner
A B N C - NEWS & COMMENTARIES
Cebu City - Philippines

Note:

Kanla-on is my home-place and so it was logically to became the first by DoT (Department of Tourism) accredited Tourist Guide in Negros. 

...less