April 16, 2007-->Web posted at: 4/5/2007 8:21:34
Source ::: REUTERS
Mount banahaw, Philippines • Hundreds of Filipinos, including members of sects and mystics holding candles, bathed in the rivers of Mount Banahaw yesterday in an annual pilgrimage to celebrate the start of Easter.
Although the Philippines is a predominantly Catholic country, with over 80 per cent of its 87 million population estimated to be followers, tribal beliefs and local superstitions infuse Christianity in this Southeast Asian country.
In the northern Philippines, a handful of villages are gearing up for annual Good Friday crucifixions where volunteers are nailed to crosses and hoisted up for five excruciating minutes as an expression of their faith.
The gruesome ritual, which is frowned upon by the Catholic Church, has evolved into a major spectacle and local travel agents are now offering overnight packages for tourists with strong constitutions.
On Mt Banahaw, 170 km southeast of Manila, pilgrims queued to stand under waterfalls believed to have healing powers. Others prayed in caves festooned with Catholic icons.
“It’s a sacred mountain. Drinking the water makes you healthy,” said Marison Chavez, 38.
Some believe people that Banahaw is the new Jerusalem and that Jesus set foot there. Others say it’s the site of alien abductions. For most, the jungle-clad 2,188-metre mountain is a beautiful place to pray and camp out during the holidays.
For Filipinos, Easter is a time for church rituals and family, with millions fleeing the heat of Manila for the countryside. For the less devout, sunbathing and television will top the agenda with many people stocking up on DVDs for the five-day break.
Airports, piers and bus stations were already crowded ahead of the holiday and the police were on high alert.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who turns 60 today, will go on an annual retreat with her cabinet, and Catholic bishops have asked politicians to stop campaigning for May 14 congressional elections over the break.
Celebrations will be held all over the archipelago on Easter Sunday, particularly on the heart-shaped island of Marinduque, where men wearing painted wooden masks re-enact the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
But most media attention will be focused on the small, dusty village of Cutud, about 80 km north of Manila, for its crucifixion spectacle.
Last year, around 30,000 people, including tourists from Germany, Canada and Britain, crowded around the crosses. There was even a viewing platform for VIPs.
Across the archipelago and despite the extreme heat, many Filipinos will avoid taking a shower or doing laundry after 3pm [0700 GMT] on Good Friday—the time Christ was believed to have died—for fear something bad will befall them.
But a spokesman for the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines dismissed the practice as superstition. “Take a bath,” Monsignor Pedro Quitorio said this week.
Monday, April 16, 2007
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
CRAMPS
Medical science is amazing. We have eliminated killer diseases like small pox from the face of the earth, we can transplant organs into dying patients, and we have extended our lives almost two fold from just a short 100 years ago, but for all our medical knowledge one common affliction remains a mystery, cramps.
Most people who enjoy the outdoors have experienced cramps at one time or another, and they can figuratively and literally bring you to your knees. Medical science is not 100% sure what causes cramps, but do know what you can do to help prevent them and deal with them when you get one.
A cramp is when a muscle or group of muscles suddenly starts to spasm. The muscles in our body move our joints around by flexing and contracting, it is when a muscle spasms into the contracted state that we get a cramp. You may have been awoken in the middle of the night with a searing pain in your Achilles (the muscle behind your leg that runs from your ankle to the back of your knee) as this is a common cramp.Medical science does know that there are three major factors that contribute to cramps, hydration, fatigue, and conditioning. Our body runs on a very complex system of chemical reactions. In the simplest form potassium and sodium molecules swap sides on the surface of a cell carrying poisons out and nutrients in. When we get dehydrated this process can slow and the poisons, including nitrogen get trapped in the cells.
Hydration is very simple to solve. Drink a lot of fluid. Under normal conditions you should drink about one quart of water for each hour of hiking or physical activity you are involved in, more under hot, cold, or extremely dry conditions and when at high altitude. You should also eat from 250 to 400 calories during that hour. Your water bottle in your pack does not help you reach this goal. Carry a water bottle with you where it is easily accessible or even better invest in a hydration pack that allows you to sip water at will. Non-carbonated sports drinks like Gatorade seem to help, although there is debate in medical society on how much benefit there is. Waiting to drink until you are thirsty is a bad approach, once you are thirsty, you are already getting dehydrated, and you are one step closer to getting cramps.
Fatigue seems to also contribute to cramps. Dr. Martin P. Schwellnus MSc from the University of Cape Town in South Africa established the theory that fatigue, not dehydration causes cramps, and his theory is gaining many supports in sports medicine circles. Sports medicine doctors have observed that athletes in the beginning of the season tend to have a lot more cramps then towards the end of the season. The conclusion is that they are less conditioned at the beginning of the season and more prone to fatigue. Most hikers who live in cold climates and get holed up in the winter seem to experience this same phenomenon.
Staying in shape and not over extending yourself is also sage advice when on the trail. A general recommendation is to walk one hour and rest fifteen minutes (a good time to eat those 250 to 400 calories too). If you are ascending up a steep grade for a long duration (like the Bright Angel Trail in Grand Canyon or the Forty-Five on the Appalachian Trail in New Hampshire) you should ascend about 1,000 feet per hour, and rest fifteen minutes. Pay attention to your body, feeling tired, weak, nauseous, or thirsty are all signs you are getting fatigued.
Both circles of thought agree that stretching helps prevent cramps. Before any physical activity you should go through a series of stretches to warm up the muscles. Hikers in particular need to stretch the muscles in their legs, with special attention to the Achilles as this is a very common point to get cramps, and an Achilles injury, which has had a significant rise in the last couple of years, can be excruciatingly painful and debilitating. Spending about fifteen minutes stretching before hitting the trail can be highly beneficial.
Medical doctors also agree on how to deal with cramps when you get one. If your track and field teacher ever told you to, walk it off, he or she was giving you pretty sage advice. Unless you have damaged a muscle or joint from overextending, passive stretching, massage, and flexing should work the cramp out. Gently flex the affected area stretching the muscle, and forcing blood back into the tissue. If the cramp continues for an extended period of time, you should seek our medical attention, you may have damaged or torn a muscle, tendon, or joint. Generally speaking however, cramps do not need the attention of a medical doctor.
Stretch out before hitting the trail, the mountainside, or the river, a good fifteen minutes of stretching, working all muscle groups
Keep a steady pace. About 2 to 2.5 miles per hour if you�re an adult of average height, walk for an hour and rest for fifteen minutes.
Stay hydrated. Drink one quart of fluid each hour, and more if you are in hot, cold, dry, or high altitude conditions.
Stay nourished. Eat about 250 to 400 calories per hour if you are exerting yourself on trail, high calorie, high carbohydrate foods with protein work best.
If you get a cramp do passive stretching to work it out, walk it off, is actually good advice, be firm in your efforts but don't force a constricted muscle.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Take Nothing But Pictures - Leave Nothing But Footprints - Kill Nothing But Time...
DISPOSE OF YOUR WASTE PROPERLYIf you packed it in, pack it out. This is one of the hardest rules to follow. It�s our nature not to want to carry trash. Cans, glass, foil, plastic, paper, hygiene products and food waste should never be burned or buried. All trash should be wrapped in double sealed Ziploc bags and carried out. Look at it this way, it was bulkier and heavier carrying it in, it�s going to be easier carrying it out. Cans can be crushed, foil, plastic, and paper waste can be balled up to save even more room in your pack. Inspect your site before leaving for trash (including trash others left behind) and spilled food. You should leave your site in better shape then when you arrived.
There are now two different camps on how to deal with human waste. Some low impact rules teach leaving fecal matter on the surface, to allow bacteria present to die off. Others recommend burying the matter. OutdoorPlaces.Com recommends burying all fecal matter six to eight inches underground in a cat hole. The best way to do this is with a shovel remove a divot of ground in one piece about eight inches deep. When you are done using the hole simply replace the divot back over the hole. Again all paper and hygiene products should be carried out. If you are camping in an arid or semi arid climate, urine can be disposed of in fast moving clear water downstream from your campsite (and others). Urine left on the surface in a desert environment can take months to wash away and can leave a powerful smell that will affect wildlife.
When you wash your dishes, do it at least 200 feet away from any natural water source. Some camps teach that if you are traveling less than five days, using hot water to wash your dishes is all you will need. If you do use soap use it sparingly and use biodegradable low-phosphate products. Disperse your gray water out over a wide area and don�t leave any meaningful pieces of food waste in the gray water.
LEAVE WHAT YOU FIND
If you are visiting historical or cultural areas feel free to examine and look, but do not touch, move or alter these. The desert petroglyphs across the southwest are in grave danger from such activity. The oils in your hand are very destructive to fragile artifacts.
Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects where you find them. Moving a rock to use as a stool can affect the wildlife and leaves a visible scar. The collection of plants rocks or geological features is illegal in most parks, and in some settings can be a very serious felony.
Make efforts to prevent introducing non-native species to an area. If you have traveled a long distance to a new habitat, make sure your gear; especially your boots and tent are free of all dust and dirt. This can harbor seeds, which can damage an ecosystem by its introduction. If you are using horses or other pack animals source your feed locally and check with local authorities. Equestrian introduction of non-native species is a serious problem today.
Do not build structures, make furniture, dig trenches, or make a pit toilet area. Again, a good campsite is found, not created. Only build a structure in a survival situation where you life absolutely depends on it.
MINIMIZE CAMPFIRE IMPACTS
Campfires can cause long lasting scars in the backcountry. When possible use a cooking stove and gas lantern for cooking and lighting.
When fires are permitted in a backcountry area, use provided fire rings, grates, pans or other provided areas.
Don't make large fires. Only use dead wood found on the ground that can be broken by hand. Large fires can be hard to manage.
Burn all wood and coals down to ash (or as far as possible). Put out the campfire completely with water and stir the ashes until no embers or hot spots are left. Scatter the cooled ashes (done properly it is actually good for the environment). Any coals that may be left should be brittle enough to be broken down by stepping on them.
source: http://www.outdoorplaces.com
Rare flower reappears in Banahaw
Three years after Mt. Banahaw was closed to trekkers and devotees, wildlife species began to flourish again, including “rafflesia,” considered the world’s biggest flower.
Rafflesia 
One of the rarest and most astonishing flowers in the world, including the very largest, is found only in Borneo and Sumatra! The Rafflesia flower starts as a small bud and can take over a year to flower. Rafflesia plants are parasitic, lacking both leaves and roots. The flower is not designed for beauty. In fact, the five fleshy, petal like lobes, marbled red and white, resemble dead meat and through chemical reaction the flower generates a strong odor of rotting flesh. This attracts carrion feeders drawn by the fleshy color pattern and the stench! After a few days, the Rafflesia flower turns brown and rots. Thus the world's rarest plant lives for a few days making it extremely difficult to see in the wild.
Jay Lim, program officer of Tanggol Kalikasan (TK), an environmental law center in Lucena, said they spotted the rafflesia late last year during an assessment hike of the mountain near Cristalino Falls where pilgrims used to put up their tents every Holy Week.
“Having been familiar with wildlife species, seeing rafflesia again after it disappeared for so long was an awesome sight,” Lim said.
One of their companions took photos of the flower that he described as not yet in full bloom.
Citing records of known Mt. Banahaw species, rafflesia has long been a part of the mystical mountain’s rich forest wildlife.
Citing records of known Mt. Banahaw species, rafflesia has long been a part of the mystical mountain’s rich forest wildlife.
“But it slowly disappeared and became almost extinct after throngs of religious pilgrims and picnickers climbed the mountain in droves, especially during Holy Week, leaving behind widespread destruction,” Lim recalled.
Aside from Mt. Banahaw, rafflesia, which could reach up to almost a meter in diameter and weigh up to 11 kilograms when in full bloom, can also be found in Mt. Makiling in Batangas-Laguna, Mt. Isarog in Bicol and Mt. Apo in Mindanao.
It can also be found in southeastern Asia, the Malay Peninsula, Borneo, Sumatra, Kalimantan and West Malaysia.
Rafflesia is considered a parasitic flowering plant with a distinctive rotten smell.
Discovered in an Indonesian forest by a native guide working for an expedition in 1888, it was named after Thomas Stamford Raffles, the leader of the group.
Discovered in an Indonesian forest by a native guide working for an expedition in 1888, it was named after Thomas Stamford Raffles, the leader of the group.
Lim said there were also reported sightings of mountain deer, exotic wild berries, wild birds and beautiful rare butterflies in different spots of Mt. Banahaw.
“There are no more recognizable mountain trails due to the return of thick vegetation. It is again safe to drink the fresh water from the flowing river,” he noted.Quezon Rep. Proceso Alcala, a noted environmentalist, has been introducing alternative livelihood projects for the hundreds of farmers who depend on slash-and-burn (kaingin) farming practice in the mountain.
In 2004, the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) sealed off with barbed wire several trails leading to the bosom of Banahaw to start a five-year rehabilitation program that aimed to resurrect the mountain’s natural resources.
The mountain suffered so much degradation not only from “kaingin” farming but also from the irresponsible practices of mountain climbers, modern pilgrims and urban nature trippers.
They left behind styrofoam boxes, empty water bottles and cans almost everywhere.
“Mt. Banahaw has long been being subjected to tremendous environmental pressure from religious pilgrims. Nothing is more divine than to let the environment return its pristine natural condition without human intrusion,” said environment lawyer Sheila de Leon, TK-Southern Tagalog executive director.
The mountain forms part of the Mt. Banahaw-San Cristobal National Park, declared as a protected area in June 2003.
The park covers Sariaya, Candelaria, Tayabas, Lucban and Dolores towns all in Quezon, and Rizal, Nagcarlan, Liliw, Majayjay and San Pablo City in Laguna.
By Delfin Mallari Jr.InquirerLast updated 09:31pm (Mla time) 03/07/2007
Banahaw finds rest for 2 years
DOLORES, QUEZON-Mt. Banahaw was at peace for two years.
A move to ban urbanites from trekking the mountain for nature trips disguised as a pilgrimage during the Lenten season apparently worked.
Two years after the ban was imposed, the people of Barangay Kinabuhayan, at the bosom of the mountain, are at peace with their mountain 
again, saying that the mystery of Banahaw is no longer disturbed.
again, saying that the mystery of Banahaw is no longer disturbed."The sacred aura of Mt. Banahaw is now beginning to show again. It's now peaceful and quiet just like the old days when this place was not yet known to non-devotees," said Supremo Jose Illustrisimo, leader of religious sect "Tatlong Persona Solo Dios" based in the village.
He recalled how it was in 1936 when his late father, Agapito Illustrisimo, founded the religious sect as well as a settlement near the river, which they now revere as holy. Almost all residents in Kinabuhayan belong to "Tatlong Persona Solo Dios."
"I was then 7 years old. The place was surrounded by huge forest trees," the religious leader recalled.
Illustrisimo recalled that when the Kinabuhayan river near the sect compound was still crystal clear, devotees washed their feet there before starting the trek to different sacred spots atop the mountain.
He remembered the times when former President Manuel Quezon visited the place to meditate.
"He usually arrived here in the company of the provincial governor. He visited the different puestos to pray and meditate," the religious leader said.
The religious Supremo said that during the Holy Week, sect leaders from across the country return to Kinabuhayan to renew their ties with their spiritual roots.
Gloria Diala, 69, also a member of the religious sect and long time inhabitant of Kinabuhayan, reminisced about the first time she set foot in the serene village in 1958.
"This place was so beautiful. The climate was cool, birds were chirping and there was fresh flowing water. It was like paradise," she said.She recalled that when the sect members had to urinate, they wouldn’t do it just anywhere."The visitors have their own canisters for their urine. That's how we respect this place," she said.
"One has to wear extra clothes to keep the body warm especially at night. The grass is always dewy. I always feel good and contented here during those times. We were all religious pilgrims here who flocked here for silent prayers and meditation. There was no mountaineer yet," she recalled.
Nowadays, Diala said she wants to spend the remaining years of her life amid very serene and quiet surroundings."It's alright with me if Mt. Banahaw will stay closed forever," the old woman said in a whisper.
Aside from the "Tatlong Persona Solo Dios," another influential religious sect whose members also climb Mt. Banahaw every Lenten season has also expressed approval of the mountain's closure.
According to the leaders of "Ciudad Mistika de Dios" based in Barangay Santa Lucia, majority of the 80 sects that hold their rites in the mountain would respect the decision to insulate San Cristobal-Banahaw from outside intrusion for much-needed rehabilitation.
Of the 80 groups, 20 are based-or have places of worship-within the area covered by the Protected Area Management Board directive.
The mountain forms part of the Mt. Banahaw-San Cristobal National Park, declared as a protected area in June 2003. The park covers the municipalities of Sariaya, Candelaria, Tayabas, Lucban and Dolores, all in Quezon, and Rizal, Nagcarlan, Liliw, Majayjay and San Pablo City, all in Laguna.
To many, Mt. Banahaw is inhabited by spirits, elements and other-worldly beings. Many believers trek its slopes in hopes of experiencing something divine, particularly during the Lenten season.
In the summer of 2004, several days before the Holy Week, the PAMB sealed off with barbed wires several trails leading to areas in the bosom of Banahaw to start the five-year rehabilitation program that would resurrect the mountain's natural resources.
It was not only slash and burn (kaingin) farming that left a scar on the mountain's surface.
The irresponsible practice of mountain climbers, composed of modern pilgrims and urban nature trippers, have also added to the mounting pressure on the mountain's ecosystem. They leave behind styrofor boxes, empty water bottles and cans at almost every spot of the mountain after the Lenten period.
Even enterprising children from Kinabuhayan village were aware of the reason behind the absence of their former mountain-climbing clients.
"The mountaineers dump their trash just about anywhere. Even if we reminded them (not to leave trash), they just laugh at us," recalls Baroy Zena, 10; Christian Ele, 9; and Richard Rebamba, 13.
The three friends find employment as guides to first time mountain visitors.
"Each of us used to earn at least P200 a day. We were also given lots of foods and candies," said Rebamba, the veteran tour guide among the three.
The guides also fetch water for a fee for the mountaineers on top of Banahaw. During Holy Week, the mountain is like a big set of stairs to most of the children. "We climbed the mountain several times a day. In the evening, we were dead tired in our sleep. But we're happy, we had plenty of money," Rebamba said.
"But now, we no longer have money. We were told that the mountain will again open in 2007. Hopefully, it will be true," he said as the group feasted on loaves of breads and big bottles of soft drinks.
In an inspection of Mt. Banahaw conducted last week by the DENR, local government officials and Tanggol Kalikasan staff workers, the group found improvements in the closed areas.
Water has returned to the falls, the trails are no longer recognizable due to the regrowth of vegetation, and wildlife has returned to the area.
The sound of flowing river provides an exhilarating acoustic backdrop to the urbanites' ear.
"But despite all these positive changes in Mt Banahaw, it still needs massive reforestation and rehabilitation. We should not let nature just heal itself. There's also a need for human intervention. We owe it to Mother Nature," said Manny Calayag, Dolores environment and natural resource officer.
To preserve the delicate balance of nature and the spirituality of the place, the local government turned down a proposal several years ago from a private resort firm to construct a swimming pool near the Kinabuhayan River.
Undeniably, there's a great potential for tourism to thrive in the place. But any eco-tourism undertaking in the area should seriously consider the revered spiritual history of the place. "So we rejected the proposal," Calayag said.
What worries the local government now is the danger from landslides and flash floods due to the altered topography of the place.
"We now have to conduct regular monitoring on the condition of the soil in the upper part of the mountain whenever there is a strong and continuous rain," Calayag said.
He recalled that Kinabuhayan and the nearby village of Sta. Lucia have already experienced big floods in the past.
Sally Pangan, protected area supervisor assigned by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to Banahaw, said in her inspection report that the soil erosion between Barangays Sampaloc 1 and Bugon in Sariaya was due to rampant illegal farming in some parts of the mountain.
Pangan discovered that the land in the area had no topsoil. The team also found traces of landslides during previous heavy rains that resulted in the contamination of the town's water supply and also of neighboring villages.
The extent of soil erosion, near the water source downstream, reveals a mismanaged watershed due to uncontrolled farming inside the mountain area.
"The slope of Banahaw de Dolores is the same in St. Bernard, except that our place is much steeper. God forbid, but we're not totally discounting the possibility that what happened in St. Bernard could also happen here. The occurrence of landslides and flash floods in these mountainous parts of Dolores is not a remote possibility," Calayag said.
Calayag also pointed to the volcanic and limestone wall at the back of the village.
"There's always a fire in that wall every four years, which softened the soil structure," he said.
First posted 11:32pm (Mla time) April 13, 2006 By Delfin Mallari Jr.Inquirer
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Mount Banahaw Tropical Herbs
Mount Banahaw is not only mystical, it produces herbs that makes a livelihood for the local folks. The following are list of herbs that www.philippineherbs.com use in their products. They are listed alphabetically by their Philippine name, with the English (if it exists) and scientific names.
Akapulko - (Ringworm Bush) - Cassia Alata Linn. - Parts used: leavesAkapulko is a shrub that grows wild on Mt. Banahaw. The leaves contain chrysophanic acid. The leaves are reported to be sudorific, diuretic and purgative, being used in the same manner as senna. The leaves are commonly used for ringworm and other skin diseases. The leaves in decoction are also used to treat bronchitis and asthma.
Alagau - (no English) - Prema Odorata Blanco - Parts used: leavesAlagau is a tree that is only found in the Philippines. It grows wild on Mt. Banahaw and in many other places in the Philippines. For many years now, Alagau has been considered a drug in the Philippines, being used to loosen phlegm and relieve coughs. It is also claimed to benefit tuberculosis and headaches. Its other properties are carminative, parasiticide, sudorific, and pectoral. Alagau is one of the great medicinal herbs of the Philippines.
Ampalaya - (Bitter Gourd) - Momordica Charantia Linn. Parts used: fruit and leavesAmpalaya is a vegetable grown throughout the Philippines. It is mostly cultivated, although wild forms can be found. It grows wild in the remote areas of Mt. Banahaw. As the English name suggests, the melon has a bitter taste due to the presence of momordicin. There has been much research done on the effectiveness of using Momordica Charantia in the treatment of diabetes. It has been shown to increase production of beta cells by the pancreas, thereby improving the body’s ability to produce insulin. It has been recommended by the Department of Health of the Philippines, as one of the best herbal medicines for it's ability to help with liver problems, Diabetes and HIV. It is a common herb used in Chinese herbology. In the Philippines, the leaves are often used for children's coughs. It is also used in the treatment of skin diseases, sterility in women, as a parasiticide, as an antipyretic, and as a purgative. For more information on Ampalaya, click here.
Avocado - (English same) - Persea Americana Mill. Parts used: leaves and barkThe Avocado is a fruit and was introduced into the Philippines from tropical America around the 16th century. It is very common on Mt. Banahaw. It is a seasonal fruit, which contains over 20 percent fat, and more protein content than any other fresh fruit. The parts we use in our herbal formulas are the leaves and bark. The leaves and bark are used in domestic medicines because of the pectoral, stomachic, emmengague, resolutive, and antiperiodic properties ascribed to them.
Banaba - (no English) - Lagerstroemia Speciosa Linn. Parts used: leaves and barkBanaba is a tree which is found throughout the Philippines, including Mt. Banahaw. There has been much resource done on Banaba leaves and their ability to reduce blood sugar, and its "insulin-like principle." In the Philippines, Banaba is a popular medicine plant and is used in treatment of diabetes mellitus. It is high in colosolic acid which is used in many drugs for diabetes. It is also used in weight-loss products. The leaves are also known to be diuretic and purgative. The bark is used to stop diarrhea.
Bauang - (Garlic) - Allium Sativum Linn. Parts used: bulbBauang is cultivated throughout the Philippines. The Filipino variety of Bauang is very small, and four times more expensive than the imported varieties of Bauang found in the markets. The reason for this is the superior quality and pungency of the small Tagolog (Filipino) variety. We use ONLY the Tagolog variety in our herbs. Bauang is one of our four "power herbs" having a long history and proof of being a very effective medicinal herb. Bauang is a diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, anthelmintic, and stimulant. As an antiseptic, its use has long been recognized. In World War I it was widely employed in the control of suppuration in wounds. The raw juice was expressed, diluted with water, and put on swabs of sterilized Sphagnum moss, which were applied to the wound. Where this treatment was given, it was proved that there were no septic results, and the lives of thousands of men were saved by its use. Bauang is an invaluable medicine for asthma, hoarseness, coughs, difficulty of breathing, and most other disorders of the lungs, being of particular virtue in chronic bronchitis, on account of its powers of promoting expectoration. The successful treatment of tubercular consumption by Bauang has been recorded. The successful treatment of tubercular consumption by Bauang has been recorded. In the Philippines, the bulbs are prescribed for high blood pressure. Dr. James Balch, in his book "The Super Anti-Oxidants," states that garlic acts as a super antioxidant, lowers blood pressure, boosts the immune system, balances blood sugar, prevents heart disease, assists in fat metabolism, and aids in cancer prevention. For more information on Bauang, click here and here.
Bayabas - (Guava) - Psidium Guajava Linn. Parts used: fruit, leaves, and barkBayabas is a fruit found throughout the Philippines. While the larger varieties are cultivated, most of it grows wild. It is very abundant on Mt. Banahaw in its wild form. The leaves and bark are known to be astringent, vulnerary, and antidiarrhetic. The bark is used in the chronic diarrhea of children. The fruit is known to be anthelmintic, and is used for high blood pressure, poor circulation, diabetes and asthma. The fruit also has probably the highest concentration of vitamin C of any of the tropical fruits in the Philippines.
Bignay – (no English) – Antidesma Bunius Linn. Parts used: fruit, leavesBignay is a fruit tree with small red berries. It grows wild on Mt. Banahaw. The fruit is commonly used to make jam and wine. The fruit is known for its cooling properties. The leaves are sudorific and employed in treating snakebite, in Asia. The fruit is harvested once a year, and we add fresh bignay juice to our Kombucha Health drinks during that time.
Cacao - (Cocoa) - Theobroma Cacao Linn. Parts used: pulpy flesh from fruitCacao is a fruit tree cultivated throughout the Philippines, and is very abundant on Mt. Banahaw. It is most known for the seeds of its fruit, which is used to manufacture cacao, chocolate, cacao butter, etc. We use the pulpy flesh of the fruit in our Digestive Enzyme tincture, because it contains the enzymes protease, invertase, raffinase, cesease and oxydase.
Carrot - (English same) - Daucus Carota Linn. Parts used: rootCarrots are only grown in the Philippines at high elevation, and grow well on Mt. Banahaw. Among the many health benefits of carrots would include: useful for toxemia, constipation, asthma, poor complexion, poor teeth, insomnia, high blood pressure, inflamed kidneys and bladder, colitis, and catarrh. They can improve the appearance of hair and nails, help improve eyesight, correct dropsy, end painful urination, increase menstrual flow, and help to keep the skin healthy. The juice of carrots is said to be a great colon cleanser, and cancer preventer.
Darangita - (Mandarin Orange, or Tangerine Orange) - Citrus Reticulata Blanco Parts used: fruitDarangita is a fruit tree common throughout the Philippines and abundant on Mt. Banahaw. Darangita is valued for its pleasant flavor and high concentration of vitamin C.
Damong Maria - (Mugwort) - Artemisia Vulgaris Linn. Parts used: leavesDamong Maria is a small plant found in many places in the Philippines, often cultivated. On Mt. Banahaw it grows wild. It is known to be stomachic, antispasmodic, alterative, anthelmintic, haemoptysis, antiseptic, and carminative. Filipinos use it for all sorts of stomach ailments.
Duhat - (Black Plum/Java Plum) - Syzygium Cumini Skeels Parts used: fruit, leaves, bark, seedsDuhat is a fruit tree found mostly wild throughout the Philippines. Duhat seeds are known for the treatment of diabetes, as are the leaves and the juice from the fruit. The bark is astringent and in decoction is used as a mouthwash and as a gargle for ulcerations of the mouth.
Dumero - (Rosemary) - Rosmarinus Officinalis Linn. Parts used: leavesDumero is cultivated in some places in the Philippines, and is grown on Mt. Banahaw. Dumero is reported to fight bacteria, relax the stomach, stimulate circulation and digestion, act as an astringent and decongestant, and improve circulation to the brain. It is reported to help prevent liver toxicity, and have anticancer and antitumor properties.
Gabi - (Taro) - Colocasia Esculenta Linn. Parts used: rootGabi is a large leaf plant with a tuberous rootstock. It grows wild throughout the Philippines, and is abundant on Mt. Banahaw. The roots are a staple food in some localities. The tubers are digestive, laxative, diuretic, lactagogue, and styptic.
Gogo (no English) - Entada Phaseoloides Linn. Parts used: barkThis plant is very large tree found throughout the Philippines. It grows wild on Mt. Banahaw. Gogo is used extensively in the Philippines for washing hair and for hair tonics. When the bark is soaked in water and rubbed, it produces a lather which cleanses the scalp very effectively. The active principle of the bark is saponin.
Gumamela - (Hibiscus) - Hibiscus Rosasinensis Linn. Parts used: flowerGumamela is cultivated as an ornamental flower throughout the Philippines. It is common on Mt. Banahaw. Gumamela flowers are used as an expectorant in bronchitis, for general coughs, and as a refrigerant drink in fevers.
Guyabano - (no English) - Anona Muricata Linn. Parts used: fruitGuyabano is a fruit tree cultivated throughout the Philippines. It is abundant on Mt. Banahaw. The fruit The Guyabano fruit is an excellent source of vitamin B and C, and is known to have pectoral and febrifuge properties.
Hierba Buena - (Mint) - Mentha Arvensis Linn. Parts used: leavesHierba Buena is cultivated throughout the Philippines, although it does well at higher altitudes. It is grown on Mt. Banahaw. This mint is known as a remedy for weakness of the stomach and for diarrhea. It is valuable as an antiseptic, and has been used in alcohol solutions for asthma.
Kalabasa - (Squash) - Cucurbita Maxima Duchesne Parts used: seedsKalabasa is a vegetable cultivated throughout the Philippines, and is common on Mt. Banahaw. Kalabasa seeds are used as an anthelmintic, which is attributed to the presence of saponin in the seeds. They are used to combat tapeworms. The seeds are also used as a diuretic for urinary diseases.
Kalamansi - (no English) - Citrus Microcarpa Bunge Parts used: fruitKalamansi is a small citrus fruit that appears as cross between a lemon and lime. It is widely cultivated throughout the Philippines, and is abundant on Mt. Banahaw. It is a native of the Philippines, and does not occur naturally outside of the Philippines. The juice of Kalamansi is known as a refrigerant, a remedy for coughs and for itches, a deodorant, and an antiphlogistic.
Kamatis - (Tomato) - Lycopersicum Esculentum Mill. Parts used: fruitKamatis is cultivated throughout the Philippines. The original form of this species has small fruit. Dr. Eduardo Quisumbing, author of the classic book "Medicinal Plants of the Philippines," states, "Briefly, the medical and food value of tomatoes may be stated thus: -- (a) Tomatoes are the richest in vitamins of all foods; (b) they are the most wonderful and effective blood cleansers of all foods known to man; (c) they are the richest of all vegetables in the natural health acids which keep our stomachs and intestines in condition; (d) they are a most extraordinary corrective for kidneys, being a gentle, natural stimulant which helps to wash away the poisons which cause disease and contaminate our systems."
Kamote - (Sweet Potato) - Impomoea Batatas Linn. Parts used: leavesKamote is tuber grown throughout the Philippines, and grows especially well at higher altitudes. It is one of the main commercial crops grown on Mt. Banahaw. Depending on the variety, the leaves are either green or purple. Research has been done on the use of Kamote leaves, especially the purple ones, in the treatment of diabetes. They are also a rich source of iron and calcium.
Kauayan - (Bamboo) - Bambusa Spinosa Roxb. Parts used: leavesKauayan is a tree grown throughout the Philippines, and is abundant on Mt. Banahaw. The bamboo is used primarily in building purposes, including furniture and household items. The silicious concretion of the culms is said to be stimulant, astringent, tonic, cooling, and antispasmodic. The leaves are used as an emmenagogue and an anthelmintic.
Labanos - (White Radish) - Raphanus Sativus Linn. Parts used: root and leavesLabanos is a vegetable cultivated throughout the Philippines and is one of the main crops of Mt. Banahaw. The leaves of labanos are laxative and diuretic. The roots are considered stimulant, carminative, stomachic, anthelmintic, and nervine tonic. They are also useful in diseases of the heart, ammenorrhoea, leprosy, and cholera.
Lagundi - (Five Leafed Chaste Tree) - Vitex Negundo Linn. Parts used: flowers, seeds, rootLagundi is a common medicine shrub in the Philippines, and is found on Mt. Banahaw. The use of Lagundi for medicinal purposes has a long history in the Philippines. Today, pharmaceutical companies sell it in capsule form at drug stores. The root is reported to be tonic, febrifuge, and expectorant. The root is also used in a great variety of diseases: dyspepsia, colic, rheumatism, worms, boils, and leprosy. The flowers are used in diarrhea, cholera, fever, and diseases of the liver, and are also recommended as a cardiac tonic. The seeds make a cooling medicine for skin diseases and leprosy, and for inflammation of the mouth. The leaves are reported to be used for coughs and asthma.
Langka - (Jack Fruit) - Artocarpus Heterophyllus Lam. Parts used: fruit and leavesLangka is a fruit tree found throughout the Philippines. It is abundant on Mt. Banahaw. The ripe fruit is said to be demulcent, nutritive, and laxative. For more information on langka, click here.
Lukban - (Pomelo/Grapefruit) - Citrus Grandis Osbeck Parts used: fruit, leaves, seedsLukban is a fruit tree found throughout the Philippines, and is abundant and wild on Mt. Banahaw. Lukban is a pomelo, which is similar to grapefruit. It is pure-strain citrus fruit, whereas grapefruit is a hybrid between pomelo and orange.
Lukban leaves are used in the Philippines, in the form of a decoction or infusion, as a sedative in nervous affections. The leaves are also said to be useful in epilepsy, chorea, and convulsive coughs. The seeds are known to have antiseptic qualities.
Luya - (Ginger) - Zingiber Officinale Rosc. Parts used: rhizome (root stock)Luya is a root stock grown in many places in the Philippines, and is very common on Mt. Banahaw. Luya is one of our four "power herbs" having a long history and proof of being a very effective medicinal herb. It is commonly used in treating colds and flu in children, because of it effectiveness and safety in large doses. Japanese researchers have found that Luya causes the heart to beat more strongly and slowly and that blood pressure lowers by 10 to 15 points after Luya is ingested. Indian researchers have found that Luya is also effective in removing cholesterol from both the blood and liver. Luya is also reported to sooth the stomach, helping digestion. It is reported to relive gas, flatulence, and cramping, and facilitate the breakdown of food in the stomach and the absorption of food in the small intestine. A number of researchers have found that Luya is highly effective in alleviating motion sickness, nausea, and vomiting, being more effective than Dramamine. Luya's various isolated components also possess anti-inflammatory, antiviral, diuretic, antifungal, antiseptic, and antibiotic properties. It has been found effective in the treatment of heart disease, migraines, stroke, coughs, dizziness, fever, kidney stones, and viral infections.
Makahia - (no English) - Biophytum Sensitivum Linn. Parts used: leavesMakahia is found throughout the Philippines and is found wild everywhere on Mt. Banahaw. It is not cultivated, and is considered a weed. The Tagalog name, and suggested by the scientific name, means "sensitive." The reason it is given this name is that upon human touch the leaves contract and appear to wilt, but then open up again a short time later. Makahia is known as a diuretic, and is considered alterant and antiasthmatic. It is used for urinary complaints, and is useful in diseases arising from corrupt blood and bile.
Makabuhay - (no English) - Menispermum crispum Linn. Parts used: leavesMakabuhay is a vine found throughout the Philippines. It contains a bitter principle, colombine, traces of an alkaloid, and a glucoside, berberine. The Filipinos and Malay in general consider this vine as a universal medicine. The name in Tagalog means "to give life." It is commonly used for stomach trouble, indigestion, diarrhea, and ulcers. It is known as a febrifuge, and is said to have anti-malaria properties. Recent studies in the Philippines have found it useful as an insecticide for rice crops. Not for pregnant women, as can cause abortions.
Malungai - (Horse Radish Tree) - Moringa Oleifera Lam. Parts used: leavesMalungai is a tree found throughout the Philippines, including Mt. Banahaw. It is a common vegetable found in the market. They are a rich source of calcium and iron. The leaves are purgative, and diuretic.
Manga - (Mango) - Mangifera Indica Linn. Parts used: leaves, fruitManga is a fruit tree cultivated throughout the Philippines, and is abundant on Mt. Banahaw. The leaves are used in treatment of diabetes, for chronic diseases of the lungs, for asthma and colds. The flowers are used for diarrhea. The ripe fruit is said to be diuretic, laxative, and useful for constipation. The seed (pit/stone) of Manga is used for diarrhea and is considered anthelmintic. The seeds are also used for treating round worm.
Mansanitas - (Jujube) - Zizyphus Mauritiana -Lam. Parts used: fruit, leaves, seeds, barkMany varieties of Mansanitas are scattered throughout the Philippines. There is a variety that grows wild on Mt. Banahaw in a few places. Where it grows, it is a huge fruit tree that can produce several hundred kilos of fruit per year. Fortunately, we have one tree on our farm that is wild. The bark and leaves are employed as an effective astringent in dysentery and diarrhea. The fruit is said to be nourishing, mucilaginious, pectoral, and styptic, and is said to purify the blood and assist in digestion. The fruit is also a mild laxative and expectorant, being used to relieve coughs.
Niyog - (Coconut) - Cocos Nucifera Linn. Parts used: fruit, rootNiyog is a palm tree cultivated throughout the Philippines. Mt. Banahaw, being in Quezon Province, the coconut capital of the Philippines, is rich in Niyog trees. The roots of Niyog are astringent, and are used for coughs. Niyog fruit is often processed into oil or milk because of its refrigerant, aperient, diuretic, anthelmintic, and purgative properties. It is often used in cosmetics as a lotion for the skin.
Noni/Bankoro - (Noni/Indian Mulberry) -Morinda Citrifolia Linn. Parts used: fruitBankoro is a fruit tree found throughout the Philippines, chiefly along or near the seashore. This tropical fruit, which is native to the Philippines, has become very popular recently due to some heavy marketing by certain companies, and is now known by its common name "Noni." It is hard to find reliable scientific information on this herb among all the hype, but there is no doubt that Noni is a very effective herb. It is said to be antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, and used to retard cancer and tumorous growth.
Papaya - (English same) - Carica Papaya - Linn. Parts used: fruit, leaves, flowers, seedsPapaya is a fruit tree found throughout the Philippines, mostly cultivated. The native species grows mostly wild on Mt. Banahaw. Papaya is one of our four "power herbs" having a long history and proof of being a very effective medicinal plant. The leaves, fruits, stem and roots all contain the proteolytic enzyme papain. Exhaustive studies have been done on papain, and it is reported to be a true, soluble, digestive ferment or a mixture of ferments of vegetable origin, its proteolytic action marked in acid, alkaline, and neutral solutions and also in the presence of many chemicals, antiseptics, and therapeutic agents. It has a peculiar softening and disintegrating actions in proteids, and its general proteolytic action is that of a genuine digestive ferment, similar to that of the ferments of animal origin. It acts in the way rennet does upon milk, and has a pronounced digestive power at a wide range of temperatures. Papain is used effectively as an anthelmintic. The leaves are often employed as a remedy for asthma, and said to also be a heart tonic. The flowers have pectoral properties. The fruit is used in cosmetics for a healthy skin complexion. The green fruit is laxative and diuretic. Studies at the University of Nigeria have revealed that extracts of ripe and unripe papaya fruits and of the seeds are active against gram-positive bacteria. Strong doses are effective against gram-negative bacteria. The substance has protein-like properties.
Pepino - (Cucumber) - Cucumis Sativus Linn. Parts used: fruit and seedsPepino is a vine cultivated throughout the Philippines, including Mt. Banahaw. Pepino is sometimes given to children with dysentery, and also considered cooling, diuretic, and purgative. A salve is recommended for skin diseases, and for scalds and burns. The seeds are said to have anti-tapeworm properties. Pepino is also useful in eliminating water from the body, which makes is important for those with heart and kidney problems.
Piña - (Pineapple) - Anana Cosmosus Linn. Parts used: fruit, leaves/stalksPiña is a fruit widely cultivated in the Philippines. There are two varieties, the native one, which has smaller fruits and is grown on Mt. Banahaw, and the Smooth Cayenne variety, which was introduced from Hawaii. Piña is well-known for its digestive enzyme bromelin, which has anthelmintic properties.
Sambong - (Blumea Camphor) - Blumea Balsamifera Linn. Parts used: leavesSambong is found throughout the Philippines, and grows wild on Mt. Banahaw. Doctors in the Philippines prescribe Sambong for the dissolution of kidney stones. The leaves of Sambong are used as a tea in the Philippines, and as a cure for colds. It is also said to have antidiarrhetic and antigastralgic properties. It is also used as an expectorant. It is given for worms and dysentery. It is one of the most common used medicinal herbs in the Philippines.
Sampalok - (Tamarind) - Tamarindus Indica Linn. Parts used: fruit, leaves, barkSampalok is a fruit tree found throughout the Philippines, and is common on Mt. Banahaw. Sampalok fruit is used as a laxative, for bilious vomiting, and against cholera. It is also a refrigerant, and used to reduce fevers. The bark is astringent and tonic, and used for asthma and amenorrhoea. The leaves are used to destroy worms in children, and are useful for jaundice.
Santol - (no English) - Sandoricum Koetjape Merr. Parts used: barkSantol is a fruit tree found throughout the Philippines, and grows wild on Mt. Banahaw. The bark of Santol contains a bitter substance, sandoricum acid, and is used to treat ringworm. For more information on Santol, click here.
Suganda - (no English) - Coleus Amboinicus Lour. Parts used: leavesSuganda, called "oregano" here on Mt. Banahaw, is an herb cultivated mostly in peoples gardens. It is well-known on Mt. Banahaw, and thrives in the soil and climate there. When you ask people locally here why they grow it, they will universally claim that it is effective in relieving coughs, especially in children. The leaves are also used externally to relieve pain.
Sili - (Chili Pepper/Cayenne) - Capsicum Frutescens Linn. Parts used: fruitSili is found throughout the Philippines, being introduced from Mexico, and grows wild on Mt. Banahaw. Sili, also know as Cayenne, is one of our four "power herbs" having a long history and proof of being a very effective medicinal plant. This variety of cayenne, capsicum frutescens, is known as the hottest of all peppers, having a heat level of 9. It is commonly used in Tabasco sauce. Cayenne is known to be very affective in the treatment of heart disorders, such as high blood pressure, and in digestive disorders. It is an excellent cleanser of the whole digestive system. Noted herbalist Dr. Schulze lists cayenne as his number one medical emergency herb, and always carries a tincture of it around with him. He claims to have treated many patients with it for over 20 years, and to have even revived a man who had gone into cardiac arrest with doses of cayenne tincture. Cayenne is said to be a powerful and pure stimulant, having no narcotic effect, increasing the power of the pulse and carrying the blood to all parts of the Body. It also equalizes and restores the balance of circulation throughout the body. Cayenne is a hemostat, arresting the flow of blood from a cut or wound in seconds and a cardiac tonic, helping to rebuild the heart. It is an antiseptic, killing pathogens and a counter-irritant, helping to relieve pain. Cayenne is also a stomachic, helping to digest foods and a carminative, helping to expel gas. For a good article on cayenne, click here. We believe that we have one of the best cayenne tinctures available on the market, and encourage you to buy it in its pure form to add to other herbs and teas as you see fit.
Talong - (Eggplant) - Solanum Melongena Linn. Parts used: rootTalong is cultivated throughout the Philippines, and is common on Mt. Banahaw. In the Philippines, the Talong roots are taken as a decoction internally as an antiasthmatic and general stimulant. The roots are also used in treatment of skin diseases
Tañglad - (Lemon Grass; Ginger Grass) - Andropogon Citratus DC. Parts used: leavesTañglad is a grass and is clutivated throughout the Philippines. It is grown on Mt. Banahaw near rice fields, and is a popular ingredient in herbal teas and herbal soaps. It is used to aid digestion, for stomach problems and to reduce fevers.
Akapulko - (Ringworm Bush) - Cassia Alata Linn. - Parts used: leavesAkapulko is a shrub that grows wild on Mt. Banahaw. The leaves contain chrysophanic acid. The leaves are reported to be sudorific, diuretic and purgative, being used in the same manner as senna. The leaves are commonly used for ringworm and other skin diseases. The leaves in decoction are also used to treat bronchitis and asthma.
Alagau - (no English) - Prema Odorata Blanco - Parts used: leavesAlagau is a tree that is only found in the Philippines. It grows wild on Mt. Banahaw and in many other places in the Philippines. For many years now, Alagau has been considered a drug in the Philippines, being used to loosen phlegm and relieve coughs. It is also claimed to benefit tuberculosis and headaches. Its other properties are carminative, parasiticide, sudorific, and pectoral. Alagau is one of the great medicinal herbs of the Philippines.
Ampalaya - (Bitter Gourd) - Momordica Charantia Linn. Parts used: fruit and leavesAmpalaya is a vegetable grown throughout the Philippines. It is mostly cultivated, although wild forms can be found. It grows wild in the remote areas of Mt. Banahaw. As the English name suggests, the melon has a bitter taste due to the presence of momordicin. There has been much research done on the effectiveness of using Momordica Charantia in the treatment of diabetes. It has been shown to increase production of beta cells by the pancreas, thereby improving the body’s ability to produce insulin. It has been recommended by the Department of Health of the Philippines, as one of the best herbal medicines for it's ability to help with liver problems, Diabetes and HIV. It is a common herb used in Chinese herbology. In the Philippines, the leaves are often used for children's coughs. It is also used in the treatment of skin diseases, sterility in women, as a parasiticide, as an antipyretic, and as a purgative. For more information on Ampalaya, click here.
Avocado - (English same) - Persea Americana Mill. Parts used: leaves and barkThe Avocado is a fruit and was introduced into the Philippines from tropical America around the 16th century. It is very common on Mt. Banahaw. It is a seasonal fruit, which contains over 20 percent fat, and more protein content than any other fresh fruit. The parts we use in our herbal formulas are the leaves and bark. The leaves and bark are used in domestic medicines because of the pectoral, stomachic, emmengague, resolutive, and antiperiodic properties ascribed to them.
Banaba - (no English) - Lagerstroemia Speciosa Linn. Parts used: leaves and barkBanaba is a tree which is found throughout the Philippines, including Mt. Banahaw. There has been much resource done on Banaba leaves and their ability to reduce blood sugar, and its "insulin-like principle." In the Philippines, Banaba is a popular medicine plant and is used in treatment of diabetes mellitus. It is high in colosolic acid which is used in many drugs for diabetes. It is also used in weight-loss products. The leaves are also known to be diuretic and purgative. The bark is used to stop diarrhea.
Bauang - (Garlic) - Allium Sativum Linn. Parts used: bulbBauang is cultivated throughout the Philippines. The Filipino variety of Bauang is very small, and four times more expensive than the imported varieties of Bauang found in the markets. The reason for this is the superior quality and pungency of the small Tagolog (Filipino) variety. We use ONLY the Tagolog variety in our herbs. Bauang is one of our four "power herbs" having a long history and proof of being a very effective medicinal herb. Bauang is a diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, anthelmintic, and stimulant. As an antiseptic, its use has long been recognized. In World War I it was widely employed in the control of suppuration in wounds. The raw juice was expressed, diluted with water, and put on swabs of sterilized Sphagnum moss, which were applied to the wound. Where this treatment was given, it was proved that there were no septic results, and the lives of thousands of men were saved by its use. Bauang is an invaluable medicine for asthma, hoarseness, coughs, difficulty of breathing, and most other disorders of the lungs, being of particular virtue in chronic bronchitis, on account of its powers of promoting expectoration. The successful treatment of tubercular consumption by Bauang has been recorded. The successful treatment of tubercular consumption by Bauang has been recorded. In the Philippines, the bulbs are prescribed for high blood pressure. Dr. James Balch, in his book "The Super Anti-Oxidants," states that garlic acts as a super antioxidant, lowers blood pressure, boosts the immune system, balances blood sugar, prevents heart disease, assists in fat metabolism, and aids in cancer prevention. For more information on Bauang, click here and here.
Bayabas - (Guava) - Psidium Guajava Linn. Parts used: fruit, leaves, and barkBayabas is a fruit found throughout the Philippines. While the larger varieties are cultivated, most of it grows wild. It is very abundant on Mt. Banahaw in its wild form. The leaves and bark are known to be astringent, vulnerary, and antidiarrhetic. The bark is used in the chronic diarrhea of children. The fruit is known to be anthelmintic, and is used for high blood pressure, poor circulation, diabetes and asthma. The fruit also has probably the highest concentration of vitamin C of any of the tropical fruits in the Philippines.
Bignay – (no English) – Antidesma Bunius Linn. Parts used: fruit, leavesBignay is a fruit tree with small red berries. It grows wild on Mt. Banahaw. The fruit is commonly used to make jam and wine. The fruit is known for its cooling properties. The leaves are sudorific and employed in treating snakebite, in Asia. The fruit is harvested once a year, and we add fresh bignay juice to our Kombucha Health drinks during that time.
Cacao - (Cocoa) - Theobroma Cacao Linn. Parts used: pulpy flesh from fruitCacao is a fruit tree cultivated throughout the Philippines, and is very abundant on Mt. Banahaw. It is most known for the seeds of its fruit, which is used to manufacture cacao, chocolate, cacao butter, etc. We use the pulpy flesh of the fruit in our Digestive Enzyme tincture, because it contains the enzymes protease, invertase, raffinase, cesease and oxydase.
Carrot - (English same) - Daucus Carota Linn. Parts used: rootCarrots are only grown in the Philippines at high elevation, and grow well on Mt. Banahaw. Among the many health benefits of carrots would include: useful for toxemia, constipation, asthma, poor complexion, poor teeth, insomnia, high blood pressure, inflamed kidneys and bladder, colitis, and catarrh. They can improve the appearance of hair and nails, help improve eyesight, correct dropsy, end painful urination, increase menstrual flow, and help to keep the skin healthy. The juice of carrots is said to be a great colon cleanser, and cancer preventer.
Darangita - (Mandarin Orange, or Tangerine Orange) - Citrus Reticulata Blanco Parts used: fruitDarangita is a fruit tree common throughout the Philippines and abundant on Mt. Banahaw. Darangita is valued for its pleasant flavor and high concentration of vitamin C.
Damong Maria - (Mugwort) - Artemisia Vulgaris Linn. Parts used: leavesDamong Maria is a small plant found in many places in the Philippines, often cultivated. On Mt. Banahaw it grows wild. It is known to be stomachic, antispasmodic, alterative, anthelmintic, haemoptysis, antiseptic, and carminative. Filipinos use it for all sorts of stomach ailments.
Duhat - (Black Plum/Java Plum) - Syzygium Cumini Skeels Parts used: fruit, leaves, bark, seedsDuhat is a fruit tree found mostly wild throughout the Philippines. Duhat seeds are known for the treatment of diabetes, as are the leaves and the juice from the fruit. The bark is astringent and in decoction is used as a mouthwash and as a gargle for ulcerations of the mouth.
Dumero - (Rosemary) - Rosmarinus Officinalis Linn. Parts used: leavesDumero is cultivated in some places in the Philippines, and is grown on Mt. Banahaw. Dumero is reported to fight bacteria, relax the stomach, stimulate circulation and digestion, act as an astringent and decongestant, and improve circulation to the brain. It is reported to help prevent liver toxicity, and have anticancer and antitumor properties.
Gabi - (Taro) - Colocasia Esculenta Linn. Parts used: rootGabi is a large leaf plant with a tuberous rootstock. It grows wild throughout the Philippines, and is abundant on Mt. Banahaw. The roots are a staple food in some localities. The tubers are digestive, laxative, diuretic, lactagogue, and styptic.
Gogo (no English) - Entada Phaseoloides Linn. Parts used: barkThis plant is very large tree found throughout the Philippines. It grows wild on Mt. Banahaw. Gogo is used extensively in the Philippines for washing hair and for hair tonics. When the bark is soaked in water and rubbed, it produces a lather which cleanses the scalp very effectively. The active principle of the bark is saponin.
Gumamela - (Hibiscus) - Hibiscus Rosasinensis Linn. Parts used: flowerGumamela is cultivated as an ornamental flower throughout the Philippines. It is common on Mt. Banahaw. Gumamela flowers are used as an expectorant in bronchitis, for general coughs, and as a refrigerant drink in fevers.
Guyabano - (no English) - Anona Muricata Linn. Parts used: fruitGuyabano is a fruit tree cultivated throughout the Philippines. It is abundant on Mt. Banahaw. The fruit The Guyabano fruit is an excellent source of vitamin B and C, and is known to have pectoral and febrifuge properties.
Hierba Buena - (Mint) - Mentha Arvensis Linn. Parts used: leavesHierba Buena is cultivated throughout the Philippines, although it does well at higher altitudes. It is grown on Mt. Banahaw. This mint is known as a remedy for weakness of the stomach and for diarrhea. It is valuable as an antiseptic, and has been used in alcohol solutions for asthma.
Kalabasa - (Squash) - Cucurbita Maxima Duchesne Parts used: seedsKalabasa is a vegetable cultivated throughout the Philippines, and is common on Mt. Banahaw. Kalabasa seeds are used as an anthelmintic, which is attributed to the presence of saponin in the seeds. They are used to combat tapeworms. The seeds are also used as a diuretic for urinary diseases.
Kalamansi - (no English) - Citrus Microcarpa Bunge Parts used: fruitKalamansi is a small citrus fruit that appears as cross between a lemon and lime. It is widely cultivated throughout the Philippines, and is abundant on Mt. Banahaw. It is a native of the Philippines, and does not occur naturally outside of the Philippines. The juice of Kalamansi is known as a refrigerant, a remedy for coughs and for itches, a deodorant, and an antiphlogistic.
Kamatis - (Tomato) - Lycopersicum Esculentum Mill. Parts used: fruitKamatis is cultivated throughout the Philippines. The original form of this species has small fruit. Dr. Eduardo Quisumbing, author of the classic book "Medicinal Plants of the Philippines," states, "Briefly, the medical and food value of tomatoes may be stated thus: -- (a) Tomatoes are the richest in vitamins of all foods; (b) they are the most wonderful and effective blood cleansers of all foods known to man; (c) they are the richest of all vegetables in the natural health acids which keep our stomachs and intestines in condition; (d) they are a most extraordinary corrective for kidneys, being a gentle, natural stimulant which helps to wash away the poisons which cause disease and contaminate our systems."
Kamote - (Sweet Potato) - Impomoea Batatas Linn. Parts used: leavesKamote is tuber grown throughout the Philippines, and grows especially well at higher altitudes. It is one of the main commercial crops grown on Mt. Banahaw. Depending on the variety, the leaves are either green or purple. Research has been done on the use of Kamote leaves, especially the purple ones, in the treatment of diabetes. They are also a rich source of iron and calcium.
Kauayan - (Bamboo) - Bambusa Spinosa Roxb. Parts used: leavesKauayan is a tree grown throughout the Philippines, and is abundant on Mt. Banahaw. The bamboo is used primarily in building purposes, including furniture and household items. The silicious concretion of the culms is said to be stimulant, astringent, tonic, cooling, and antispasmodic. The leaves are used as an emmenagogue and an anthelmintic.
Labanos - (White Radish) - Raphanus Sativus Linn. Parts used: root and leavesLabanos is a vegetable cultivated throughout the Philippines and is one of the main crops of Mt. Banahaw. The leaves of labanos are laxative and diuretic. The roots are considered stimulant, carminative, stomachic, anthelmintic, and nervine tonic. They are also useful in diseases of the heart, ammenorrhoea, leprosy, and cholera.
Lagundi - (Five Leafed Chaste Tree) - Vitex Negundo Linn. Parts used: flowers, seeds, rootLagundi is a common medicine shrub in the Philippines, and is found on Mt. Banahaw. The use of Lagundi for medicinal purposes has a long history in the Philippines. Today, pharmaceutical companies sell it in capsule form at drug stores. The root is reported to be tonic, febrifuge, and expectorant. The root is also used in a great variety of diseases: dyspepsia, colic, rheumatism, worms, boils, and leprosy. The flowers are used in diarrhea, cholera, fever, and diseases of the liver, and are also recommended as a cardiac tonic. The seeds make a cooling medicine for skin diseases and leprosy, and for inflammation of the mouth. The leaves are reported to be used for coughs and asthma.
Langka - (Jack Fruit) - Artocarpus Heterophyllus Lam. Parts used: fruit and leavesLangka is a fruit tree found throughout the Philippines. It is abundant on Mt. Banahaw. The ripe fruit is said to be demulcent, nutritive, and laxative. For more information on langka, click here.
Lukban - (Pomelo/Grapefruit) - Citrus Grandis Osbeck Parts used: fruit, leaves, seedsLukban is a fruit tree found throughout the Philippines, and is abundant and wild on Mt. Banahaw. Lukban is a pomelo, which is similar to grapefruit. It is pure-strain citrus fruit, whereas grapefruit is a hybrid between pomelo and orange.
Lukban leaves are used in the Philippines, in the form of a decoction or infusion, as a sedative in nervous affections. The leaves are also said to be useful in epilepsy, chorea, and convulsive coughs. The seeds are known to have antiseptic qualities.
Luya - (Ginger) - Zingiber Officinale Rosc. Parts used: rhizome (root stock)Luya is a root stock grown in many places in the Philippines, and is very common on Mt. Banahaw. Luya is one of our four "power herbs" having a long history and proof of being a very effective medicinal herb. It is commonly used in treating colds and flu in children, because of it effectiveness and safety in large doses. Japanese researchers have found that Luya causes the heart to beat more strongly and slowly and that blood pressure lowers by 10 to 15 points after Luya is ingested. Indian researchers have found that Luya is also effective in removing cholesterol from both the blood and liver. Luya is also reported to sooth the stomach, helping digestion. It is reported to relive gas, flatulence, and cramping, and facilitate the breakdown of food in the stomach and the absorption of food in the small intestine. A number of researchers have found that Luya is highly effective in alleviating motion sickness, nausea, and vomiting, being more effective than Dramamine. Luya's various isolated components also possess anti-inflammatory, antiviral, diuretic, antifungal, antiseptic, and antibiotic properties. It has been found effective in the treatment of heart disease, migraines, stroke, coughs, dizziness, fever, kidney stones, and viral infections.
Makahia - (no English) - Biophytum Sensitivum Linn. Parts used: leavesMakahia is found throughout the Philippines and is found wild everywhere on Mt. Banahaw. It is not cultivated, and is considered a weed. The Tagalog name, and suggested by the scientific name, means "sensitive." The reason it is given this name is that upon human touch the leaves contract and appear to wilt, but then open up again a short time later. Makahia is known as a diuretic, and is considered alterant and antiasthmatic. It is used for urinary complaints, and is useful in diseases arising from corrupt blood and bile.
Makabuhay - (no English) - Menispermum crispum Linn. Parts used: leavesMakabuhay is a vine found throughout the Philippines. It contains a bitter principle, colombine, traces of an alkaloid, and a glucoside, berberine. The Filipinos and Malay in general consider this vine as a universal medicine. The name in Tagalog means "to give life." It is commonly used for stomach trouble, indigestion, diarrhea, and ulcers. It is known as a febrifuge, and is said to have anti-malaria properties. Recent studies in the Philippines have found it useful as an insecticide for rice crops. Not for pregnant women, as can cause abortions.
Malungai - (Horse Radish Tree) - Moringa Oleifera Lam. Parts used: leavesMalungai is a tree found throughout the Philippines, including Mt. Banahaw. It is a common vegetable found in the market. They are a rich source of calcium and iron. The leaves are purgative, and diuretic.
Manga - (Mango) - Mangifera Indica Linn. Parts used: leaves, fruitManga is a fruit tree cultivated throughout the Philippines, and is abundant on Mt. Banahaw. The leaves are used in treatment of diabetes, for chronic diseases of the lungs, for asthma and colds. The flowers are used for diarrhea. The ripe fruit is said to be diuretic, laxative, and useful for constipation. The seed (pit/stone) of Manga is used for diarrhea and is considered anthelmintic. The seeds are also used for treating round worm.
Mansanitas - (Jujube) - Zizyphus Mauritiana -Lam. Parts used: fruit, leaves, seeds, barkMany varieties of Mansanitas are scattered throughout the Philippines. There is a variety that grows wild on Mt. Banahaw in a few places. Where it grows, it is a huge fruit tree that can produce several hundred kilos of fruit per year. Fortunately, we have one tree on our farm that is wild. The bark and leaves are employed as an effective astringent in dysentery and diarrhea. The fruit is said to be nourishing, mucilaginious, pectoral, and styptic, and is said to purify the blood and assist in digestion. The fruit is also a mild laxative and expectorant, being used to relieve coughs.
Niyog - (Coconut) - Cocos Nucifera Linn. Parts used: fruit, rootNiyog is a palm tree cultivated throughout the Philippines. Mt. Banahaw, being in Quezon Province, the coconut capital of the Philippines, is rich in Niyog trees. The roots of Niyog are astringent, and are used for coughs. Niyog fruit is often processed into oil or milk because of its refrigerant, aperient, diuretic, anthelmintic, and purgative properties. It is often used in cosmetics as a lotion for the skin.
Noni/Bankoro - (Noni/Indian Mulberry) -Morinda Citrifolia Linn. Parts used: fruitBankoro is a fruit tree found throughout the Philippines, chiefly along or near the seashore. This tropical fruit, which is native to the Philippines, has become very popular recently due to some heavy marketing by certain companies, and is now known by its common name "Noni." It is hard to find reliable scientific information on this herb among all the hype, but there is no doubt that Noni is a very effective herb. It is said to be antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, and used to retard cancer and tumorous growth.
Papaya - (English same) - Carica Papaya - Linn. Parts used: fruit, leaves, flowers, seedsPapaya is a fruit tree found throughout the Philippines, mostly cultivated. The native species grows mostly wild on Mt. Banahaw. Papaya is one of our four "power herbs" having a long history and proof of being a very effective medicinal plant. The leaves, fruits, stem and roots all contain the proteolytic enzyme papain. Exhaustive studies have been done on papain, and it is reported to be a true, soluble, digestive ferment or a mixture of ferments of vegetable origin, its proteolytic action marked in acid, alkaline, and neutral solutions and also in the presence of many chemicals, antiseptics, and therapeutic agents. It has a peculiar softening and disintegrating actions in proteids, and its general proteolytic action is that of a genuine digestive ferment, similar to that of the ferments of animal origin. It acts in the way rennet does upon milk, and has a pronounced digestive power at a wide range of temperatures. Papain is used effectively as an anthelmintic. The leaves are often employed as a remedy for asthma, and said to also be a heart tonic. The flowers have pectoral properties. The fruit is used in cosmetics for a healthy skin complexion. The green fruit is laxative and diuretic. Studies at the University of Nigeria have revealed that extracts of ripe and unripe papaya fruits and of the seeds are active against gram-positive bacteria. Strong doses are effective against gram-negative bacteria. The substance has protein-like properties.
Pepino - (Cucumber) - Cucumis Sativus Linn. Parts used: fruit and seedsPepino is a vine cultivated throughout the Philippines, including Mt. Banahaw. Pepino is sometimes given to children with dysentery, and also considered cooling, diuretic, and purgative. A salve is recommended for skin diseases, and for scalds and burns. The seeds are said to have anti-tapeworm properties. Pepino is also useful in eliminating water from the body, which makes is important for those with heart and kidney problems.
Piña - (Pineapple) - Anana Cosmosus Linn. Parts used: fruit, leaves/stalksPiña is a fruit widely cultivated in the Philippines. There are two varieties, the native one, which has smaller fruits and is grown on Mt. Banahaw, and the Smooth Cayenne variety, which was introduced from Hawaii. Piña is well-known for its digestive enzyme bromelin, which has anthelmintic properties.
Sambong - (Blumea Camphor) - Blumea Balsamifera Linn. Parts used: leavesSambong is found throughout the Philippines, and grows wild on Mt. Banahaw. Doctors in the Philippines prescribe Sambong for the dissolution of kidney stones. The leaves of Sambong are used as a tea in the Philippines, and as a cure for colds. It is also said to have antidiarrhetic and antigastralgic properties. It is also used as an expectorant. It is given for worms and dysentery. It is one of the most common used medicinal herbs in the Philippines.
Sampalok - (Tamarind) - Tamarindus Indica Linn. Parts used: fruit, leaves, barkSampalok is a fruit tree found throughout the Philippines, and is common on Mt. Banahaw. Sampalok fruit is used as a laxative, for bilious vomiting, and against cholera. It is also a refrigerant, and used to reduce fevers. The bark is astringent and tonic, and used for asthma and amenorrhoea. The leaves are used to destroy worms in children, and are useful for jaundice.
Santol - (no English) - Sandoricum Koetjape Merr. Parts used: barkSantol is a fruit tree found throughout the Philippines, and grows wild on Mt. Banahaw. The bark of Santol contains a bitter substance, sandoricum acid, and is used to treat ringworm. For more information on Santol, click here.
Suganda - (no English) - Coleus Amboinicus Lour. Parts used: leavesSuganda, called "oregano" here on Mt. Banahaw, is an herb cultivated mostly in peoples gardens. It is well-known on Mt. Banahaw, and thrives in the soil and climate there. When you ask people locally here why they grow it, they will universally claim that it is effective in relieving coughs, especially in children. The leaves are also used externally to relieve pain.
Sili - (Chili Pepper/Cayenne) - Capsicum Frutescens Linn. Parts used: fruitSili is found throughout the Philippines, being introduced from Mexico, and grows wild on Mt. Banahaw. Sili, also know as Cayenne, is one of our four "power herbs" having a long history and proof of being a very effective medicinal plant. This variety of cayenne, capsicum frutescens, is known as the hottest of all peppers, having a heat level of 9. It is commonly used in Tabasco sauce. Cayenne is known to be very affective in the treatment of heart disorders, such as high blood pressure, and in digestive disorders. It is an excellent cleanser of the whole digestive system. Noted herbalist Dr. Schulze lists cayenne as his number one medical emergency herb, and always carries a tincture of it around with him. He claims to have treated many patients with it for over 20 years, and to have even revived a man who had gone into cardiac arrest with doses of cayenne tincture. Cayenne is said to be a powerful and pure stimulant, having no narcotic effect, increasing the power of the pulse and carrying the blood to all parts of the Body. It also equalizes and restores the balance of circulation throughout the body. Cayenne is a hemostat, arresting the flow of blood from a cut or wound in seconds and a cardiac tonic, helping to rebuild the heart. It is an antiseptic, killing pathogens and a counter-irritant, helping to relieve pain. Cayenne is also a stomachic, helping to digest foods and a carminative, helping to expel gas. For a good article on cayenne, click here. We believe that we have one of the best cayenne tinctures available on the market, and encourage you to buy it in its pure form to add to other herbs and teas as you see fit.
Talong - (Eggplant) - Solanum Melongena Linn. Parts used: rootTalong is cultivated throughout the Philippines, and is common on Mt. Banahaw. In the Philippines, the Talong roots are taken as a decoction internally as an antiasthmatic and general stimulant. The roots are also used in treatment of skin diseases
Tañglad - (Lemon Grass; Ginger Grass) - Andropogon Citratus DC. Parts used: leavesTañglad is a grass and is clutivated throughout the Philippines. It is grown on Mt. Banahaw near rice fields, and is a popular ingredient in herbal teas and herbal soaps. It is used to aid digestion, for stomach problems and to reduce fevers.
For more information log on to : http://www.philippineherbs.com/philippineherbindex.htm
Monday, February 26, 2007
Mount Banahaw, an experience to remember
I have always been looking forward for a chance to experience mystical Mount Banahaw. My longing was finally came into a reality, when i had the chance to come along through the journey of my friends to the Holy Mountain. - Mount Banahaw, an experience to remember. "It's been a long day short journey" of my life.
Typical Four-Day Schedule
DAY 1
0700 Breakfast. Check equipment and supplies.
0800 Leave Manila for San Pablo, Laguna via public bus or hired vehicle.
1000 Arrive at San Pablo. Proceed to Santa Lucia by public jeepney.
1030 In Santa Lucia, contact National Parks Station for a guide.
1100 Hike to Kinabuhayan.
1230 Take lunch at Kinabuhayan.
1330 Begin climb.
1400 Reach first waterfall: Kristalino Falls.
1530 Arrive at second waterfall. Rest and find suitable spot to set up camp. Enjoy the scenery and the cool, refreshing water.
1700 Early dinner with the soothing sounds of the falls in the background.
DAY 2
0700 Breakfast. Pack up and remove all debris from campsite prior to continuation of ascent. 0800 Climb up vertical wall. Find way over narrow ridge, under which is a small waterfall referred to as Salamin Bubog (Glass Mirror).
0900 Reach detour and backtrack slightly to locate trail.
0920 Traverse a treacherous, slippery gully to a natural cave known as Kuweba ng Dios Ama (Cave of God the Father).
1030 In the cave, take a brief rest and snacks.
1100 Climb rock formation with 45-degree gradient. There are hardly any handholds due to the absence of any plants or trees. Climbers can rely solely on cracks along the surface. At the base is a deep gully. Good luck!
1130 Arrive at top marked with tall grass and trees. Encounter diverging paths. Always follow one going to the right.
1200 Lunch along the way.
1300 Resume climb.
1430 Reach Pintong Lihim (Secret Door). Proceed to the summit. Come across bent twisted trees. Residents of the area call this particular spot Niluhuran (place where they knelt).
1900 Arrive at the peak: Santong Durungawan (Holy Window). Establish camp and take dinner.
DAY 3
0700 Breakfast. Break camp. Take photos if weather permits.
0800 Start descent.
1300 Reach Tatlong Tangke (Three Tanks). This term refers to a series of waterfalls. Have lunch.
1400 Resume hike down. Pass through a gully and over the kaingin (slash-and-burn farming) trail.
1600 Cross over rocky trail which leads to the "backyard" of the town of Kinabuhayan.
1630 At Kinabuhayan, inform Barrio Captain about arrival.
Find suitable place to stay overnight. Mingle with townsfolk to get first-hand experience about life and customs in a typical Filipino barrio.
DAY 4
0700 Breakfast.
0800 Return to Manila.
Special Considerations
Always contact local weather station for the latest conditions within the vicinity of the climb.
It is possible to attempt the climb anytime of the year in absence of tropical depressions or if advised otherwise by the local weather bureau.
Guard against leeches especially during the rainy season. Secure cuffs of long-sleeved t-shirts and pants. Tweezers and lighted cigarettes are useful for removing leeches. As a preventive measure, ordinary soap may be rubbed on pants and shoes to ward off leeches
1 day 1 night schedule (into the summit; holy window, unang dungaw ) - a long day short journey
Always contact local weather station for the latest conditions within the vicinity of the climb.
It is possible to attempt the climb anytime of the year in absence of tropical depressions or if advised otherwise by the local weather bureau.
Guard against leeches especially during the rainy season. Secure cuffs of long-sleeved t-shirts and pants. Tweezers and lighted cigarettes are useful for removing leeches. As a preventive measure, ordinary soap may be rubbed on pants and shoes to ward off leeches
1 day 1 night schedule (into the summit; holy window, unang dungaw ) - a long day short journey
We were at the foothills of Mount Banahaw around 7am after we finish a bowl of Special Mami "pares", we hurried ourselves to nearby parking slots, which i learn is not a parking area, but from a friends' house.
After 10 hours of trekking (Jojo Gimena, Ian , Jun Albay got there earlier, about 2PM ) I finally reached the summit.
Santong Durungawan : we camped for a night at the first peak of the holy mountain, we enjoy the food we bring along.
Before we go to sleep we had shots of Fundador, for us to make a goodnight sleep.
The morning breeze wake me up and voice of my friends, laughing with their experience during the climbed.About 8 AM, we decided to go down.Another long journey back home. But we made it to the foothilss before 1PM.
We take a bath at the nearby river, just few steps from Bakas (Christ’s foot print), where we take get waters for take out ")
Close by was the “Cueva de Jusgado [Cave of Judgment].” It had a small opening just enough for one person to back into. There was an anecdote that pilgrims who are sinners cannot enter this cave no matter how much they try.We leave everything behind so as not to be carrying much once we are inside." As we entered, we brought flashlight, simply because it was totally dark inside.
When it was my turn to enter, my hearts beats faster. It's like im going to have an asthma attack, I can't breath. But I decided to continue. And ascend myself into the holes. It was difficult to find any foothold for my feet to help me move forward from my awkward position. Entering the cave was like being born, as there was no way I could return to the entrance. I thought that was the only problem. I learned too late that I was inside a long, dark, narrow cave (tunnel) about 20 to 30 meters in length just big enough for my body to make slight movements. Some portions were slippery and surrounded by sharp, protruding stones.
I had to slither and contort my body like a snake to come out unhurt. There is no point of turning back as it is easily to continue and make it to the end, as it was doubly difficult to return.
In moments like this, faith in oneself and, most of all, faith in God, plus a little resourcefulness can help keep one's head. But finally after the terribly difficult obstacle course, the sense of achievement was simply exhilarating.
The Cueva de Jusgado was very symbolic of life, for in life there are many obstacles and ignoring them won't solve the problem.
One must think be confident, have faith in oneself and in God, be resourceful and continue moving forward to be triumphant.
Not Abundant Water
April 4 1999
This message was from CBR posted on the
RP Fidonet Outdoors Echo from www.today.com.ph - 8 years ago
MOUNT BANAHAW, QUEZON -- Water is flowing again within Mount Banahaw, noted someone who intends to visit the "Holy Mountain" on Holy Week. Last year water was scarce. Skeptics have a scientific explanation for this: El Niño ravaged the country last year and Banahaw was not spared this environmental phenomenon. However, for the pilgrims and believers, this means that Banahaw is no longer disappointed -she no longer "hides her water." Banahaw's "disappointment" is said to stem from issues related to commer- cialization. Whenever business -minded persons fetched water from the springs by the gallons and sold them at ridiculous prices to the tourists, the water would disappear. When the government planned to build a superhighway that would run through the mountain, the water disappeared for months. The campaign of pilgrims and environmental groups did not prove futile: the project had to be changed and the water came back. Call it a crazy explanation, but the belief that they have regained the mountain's "trust"-as evidenced by the water flowing from the springs and waterfalls-has lifted the spirits of the people in the area.
Banahaw is their sacred mountain: She continuously manifests her protective powers through events that appear miraculous and certainly providential, even though these may be dismissed by outsiders as pure coincidence.
Banahaw protects her chosen ones: no outside threat can disturb the people's serene faith, their ineffable peace. Gratefully they dedicate their own sacrifices. With hymns and rituals, wearing ceremonial garb, they periodically sweep the templo, dredge the sacred pool, repair the footpaths for the pilgrims, trim the grass and the branches of the trees, and burn the refuse left in the sacred groves by the thoughtless tourists.
There are basically four categories of people who frequently climb Mount Banahaw. First, there are the religious, the sects who consider the mountain the site of the New Jerusalem. There are those who scale the slopes of Banahaw as part of their sacrifice in exchange for blessings or "miracles" that they are seeking, including the cure for those suffering from sickness. Other visitors are in search of anting-anting, psychic or paranormal experiences. Then there are mountaineers or outdoor groups wanting to breathe fresh air from one of Southern Luzon's largest forests.
Through the years, the number of religious sects in Mount Banahaw has grown to 168. Seventy-three of these are members of the Mount Banahaw Holy Confederation. As they believe that the mountain is the "New Jerusalem" the holy parts of the mountain are called puestos in Dolores and Sariaya and erehiya in Tayabas. The puestos normally represent the elements: earth, water, air and fire.
Superstitions abound for trekkers and pilgrims. One must request permission before starting the climb so as to ensure the guidance of the spirits. These spirits make their presence felt through strange lights or luminous objects, the eerie feeling that one is being watched along the trail, cold air enveloping one's body, and other manifestations. Some even see supernatural beings like dwarfs. The boisterous laughter of a group will earn them the ire of the spirits-they may find themselves drenched in rain while other groups in the vicinity remain completely dry. There are those who say that the crater of Banahaw is the perfect landing site for UFOs.
If Banahaw is known as the Holy Mountain, myth has it that the nearby mountain, Mount San Cristobal, is the "bad mountain." There, a spirit called Tumao is believed to haunt hikers and subject them to weird phenomena.
Scientists like Raymundo Punongbayan of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) have long been intrigued by the folk belief that if Banahaw erupts, water will gush from its crater. Mount Banahaw is one of the largest active volcanoes in the Philippines, its unique feature being an elliptical crater 758 meters high. The recorded date of the latest volcanic activity of Banahaw was in 1730 and 1743.
Punongbayan explained that in the event that Banahaw erupts, there will be pyroclastic flows toward the town of Sariaya and lava flows cascading toward the town of Dolores. Pyroclastic flow is a turbulent flowing mass of ejected fragmental volcanic materials mixed with hot gases and moving downslope at high speed. Pyroclastic flows may result from the collapse of tall eruption columns or from spillover of ejected materials from the erupting vents.
Punongbayan compared lava flow and pyroclastic flows with the toothpaste. Squeeze it slowly and the toothpaste will flow down slowly, while pressing it immediately will cause the toothpaste to zoom up. The former resembles the lava flow, the latter the pyroclastic flows.
The Philippine archipelago has more than 200 volcanoes distributed in five volcanic belts. Banahaw is one of the 22 known active volcanoes in the country. A volcano signifies a vent, hill, or mountain from which molten rock or gaseous materials are ejected. For a volcano to be considered active, Punongbayan explained that it must have erupted in historical time. On the other hand, a volcano is considered dormant if there is no historical record of its last eruption.
Punongbayan stressed that the best way to educate people is to give specific labels like "Banahaw volcano" instead of Mount Banahaw.
Declared a national park in 1921, Mounts Banahaw and San Cristobal cover an area of 11,133 hectares of moderate to steep terrain. The Quezon side is noted for its unique rock formation, mystical cave and medical springs. It has three towering peaks-Banahaw de Lucban, 1,875 meters above sea level; Mount Banahaw, 2,158 meters above sea level, and Mount San Cristobal, 1,470 meters above sea level.
One of the biggest forests in Southern Tagalog, the national park contains game animals such as wild pigs, deer, monkeys, and game birds such as hornbills, pigeons, jungle fowls, tailor birds, wag tails, orioles, brown doves, parakeets and coucals. Giant rats, wild cats and reptiles such as snakes, pythons and ground lizards are also seen in the area. It is home to tree species such as red lauan, tanguile and mayapis, while plant species like rattan, vines, grasses, club mosses, ferns and other aerial plants are abundant within the park.
The park is traversed by eight rivers, namely, Olla, Manipis, Santa Cruz, Liliw, Dalitawan, Malinao, Bakong and Lazaan. It is locally known as vulcan de agua due to the abundance of water even during the dry season.
For pilgrims and mountaineers, the jump-off point is Santa Lucia toward Kinabuhayan town. The wide and well-trodden trail leads to Kristalino Falls, a 30-meter waterfall surrounded by vine-covered trees, ferns, palms and bamboos. Just one-and-a-half hours away is a second waterfall whose surrounding area is ideal for a campsite.
One of the most difficult portions of the trail is a vertical wall leading to a very narrow ridge over a minute waterfall known as Salamin Bubog. This climaxes in a treacherous slippery stretch over huge boulders leading to a cavernous formation with a 30-meter-high entrance known as the Kuweba ng Diyos Ama.
On the way to the summit are landmarks like Pinoy Lihim, huge moss-covered boulders marking two divergent paths, and rows of trees with twisted trunks almost hugging the ground on bended knees. These trees are commonly known as Niluhuran.
The first peak is Santong Durungawan, which overlooks a clear, blue open sky. The crater of the volcano is shaped like a winding canyon with walls soaring as high as 915 meters; its floor is between 27 and 46 meters wide. Thick forest carpets most of the interior but some portions exhibit marked scars of past avalanches.
From Durungawan, the descending group will pass through Tatlong Tangke, which used to refer to a series of waterfalls, and again to a gully and a kaingin trail. Crossing over rocky trail will lead to the backyard of the town of Kinabuhayan. (Dennis Gorecho)
Holy Trek
Trekking Through the Holy Mountain
Along Crystalino trail you will pass by the Crystalino Falls, Suplina Falls, Salamin Bubog (glass mirror) which is a small pond in which the waters are still as a mirror. The Kweba ng Dios Ama (cave), one of the most sacred place but you will be disgusted to see a concrete house erected by one of the local sects right in the mouth of the cave; the Pintong Lihim (sacred door)- two large boulders with divergent paths and Niluhuran (place where trees knelt) which was named due to the bent trees which abound the place and some minor pilgrim sites (holy places).
Due to typhoons that hits the Philippines, some part of the Mountain were devastated. Large timber were uprooted. Big tress were scattered along the way.Local folks have no choice but make money out of it.
The face of the Mountain maybe devasted but not its holliness.
At the summit try to visit the Durungawan (view points) I, II, and III (highest point), the cave near the cross and the crater view overlooking Guis-guis and two other rivers Tubig ng Gatas at Tubig ng Dugo (river of blood and milk because one is white as marble and the other red as iron oxide). Along the Tatlong Tangke route, pass by Kapatagan (plains) and the Tatlong Tangke (3 natural water tanks).
Within Kinabuhayan area, the Bakas (Christ’s foot print), Santo Calbaryo (Calvary), Tres Personas, Ilog ng landas (river), Ina ng Awa, Husgado (cave), Kweba ni San Pedro (cave), Kweba ni San Pablo (cave), Prisintahan, Dolorosa, Piedra Mental, Ciudad Mystica, Buhok ng Birhen, Nunong Lalake and some other pilgrim places are worth to visit.
Along Crystalino trail you will pass by the Crystalino Falls, Suplina Falls, Salamin Bubog (glass mirror) which is a small pond in which the waters are still as a mirror. The Kweba ng Dios Ama (cave), one of the most sacred place but you will be disgusted to see a concrete house erected by one of the local sects right in the mouth of the cave; the Pintong Lihim (sacred door)- two large boulders with divergent paths and Niluhuran (place where trees knelt) which was named due to the bent trees which abound the place and some minor pilgrim sites (holy places).
Due to typhoons that hits the Philippines, some part of the Mountain were devastated. Large timber were uprooted. Big tress were scattered along the way.Local folks have no choice but make money out of it.
The face of the Mountain maybe devasted but not its holliness.
At the summit try to visit the Durungawan (view points) I, II, and III (highest point), the cave near the cross and the crater view overlooking Guis-guis and two other rivers Tubig ng Gatas at Tubig ng Dugo (river of blood and milk because one is white as marble and the other red as iron oxide). Along the Tatlong Tangke route, pass by Kapatagan (plains) and the Tatlong Tangke (3 natural water tanks).
Within Kinabuhayan area, the Bakas (Christ’s foot print), Santo Calbaryo (Calvary), Tres Personas, Ilog ng landas (river), Ina ng Awa, Husgado (cave), Kweba ni San Pedro (cave), Kweba ni San Pablo (cave), Prisintahan, Dolorosa, Piedra Mental, Ciudad Mystica, Buhok ng Birhen, Nunong Lalake and some other pilgrim places are worth to visit.
A way to go - Mt Banahaw itinerary
WHEN AND HOW TO GO
Mt. Banahaw can be scaled through various jump-off points like Dolores, Tayabas (Banahaw de Tayabas), Sariyaya (Guis-guis Trail) and Lucban (Lucban de Banahaw) but most of these trails have different peak destinations though there are already recorded traverse from one peak to the other or climbs using a combination of these trails.
This itinerary is the Dolores Trail. The Dolores Trail, the most popular particularly among the pilgrims, have two other sub-routes, the Crystalino and the Tatlong Tanke routes. There is a third route in Dolores that is no longer being used. It connects to the Guisguis trail of Sariyaya going inside the crater. So officially, the two Dolores trails, Crystalino and Tatlong Tangke are considered the Banahaw de Dolores climb.
In climbing, it is advisable to take one of the trails going up and the other on your way down to see the two routes. The climb can be easily done even without a guide for trails are visible and marked. Looking for guides within the place may be difficult for most people living within the jump-off area are not inclined into climbing or guiding in particular. The climb itself is not a technical one, but a long strenuous hike. To go there, take a bus bound for Lucena City (Tritran, JAM, JAC, BLTB).
Get off at San Pablo Laguna. Ask for the jeepney stop for jeeps bound for Dolores Quezon (regular trips are from 4:00 AM to 4:00 PM, though special trips can be arranged 24 hours a day with much added cost). Kinabuhayan in Brgy. Sta. Lucia, Dolores, Quezon is the official jump-off point. From Kinabuhayan, you can ask the locals for the start of the trail or you can go directly at the back of the barangay hall. The trail initially splits into two, the Crystalino and the Tatlong Tangke trails. Either of the two, follow the established path straight to the peak (Durungawan I). From there you can choose what trail to take in descending the mountain, either the other Dolores trail, the Guis-guis trail or Tayabas/Lucban trails.
Banahaw can be scaled any time of the year though it is best advised especially for beginners and the curious to climb it during the Holy Week. Few weeks before the Holy Week is the best time because during that time, the place is already prepared for the Holy Week revelry with make-shift stalls along the trail but not as crowded and littered as the Holy Week itself.
Banahaw - Off limits to visitors
Beginning April 5 2004, and covering the next five years, Mount BANAHAW will be off limits to visitors
MYSTICISM, religion and romance shroud Mount Banahaw. The scenic mountain and popular tourist spot in the province of Quezon is said to be the home of ancient spirits and a shrine for supernatural power.
For these reasons, numerous religious cults believe Mount Banahaw to be sacred, where devotees must go to make their yearly pilgrimages and celebrate their rituals. Some even have settled down at the foothills of the mountain to commune continually with their gods.
Over the years, however, tourists and devotees alike have inflicted much damage on Mount Banahaw’s pristine surroundings.
Owing to neglect and carelessness, heaps of garbage littered the area, according to the Lucena Protected Area Management Board. The municipal watchdog tasked to protect the mountain’s environmental health disclosed that nearly half a million tourists and devotees annually climb Mount Banahaw, during the Holy Week and two weeks before Lent.
We can only guess at the amount of damage these visits have wreaked on the mountain. Moreover, since some cultists have settled on its footsteps, we can surmise that part of their food and water comes from the mountain’s plants and wildlife. This, too, can upset its ecological balance.
Preserving Mount Banahaw has gained paramount importance, since it is the largest watershed in Southern Tagalog and a magnet for tourism. A member of the board, Manny Calbayog, also Lucena’s municipal and natural resources officer, has disclosed that the towns around the mountain have started to experience a decrease in their water supply—no doubt as a result of the harm done to Banahaw over a long period of time.
We commend the move to save Mount Banahaw from further deterioration by imposing a five-year ban on tourists and religious devotees who would trample all over the place.
Beginning April 5, and covering the next five years, the mountain will be off limits to visitors, except for certain assigned areas at its foot where worshipers can do their annual rituals. April 5 marks the start of Holy Week, Expecting a howl of protest from faithful and wayward pilgrims, Calbayog noted that “only two out of ten climbers are real devotees.” If they were really God-fearing Christians, would they leave garbage in their church? Indeed, would a devout Catholic leave bubble-gum wrappers inside the Saint Peter’s Basilica?
He has observed that garbage left by “devotees” after Holy Week included sleazy magazines, playing cards and empty liquor bottles. These are hardly the things you’d expect from people who go to Mount Banahaw to nourish their soul and spirit.
The moratorium on the beautiful mountain, harsh as it may seem, is very necessary. Given the mountain’s historic and cultural niche, the government must act to protect it. The ban could have been prevented, of course, had those who frequently go there obeyed the old saying: “Cleanliness is next to godliness.”
MYSTICISM, religion and romance shroud Mount Banahaw. The scenic mountain and popular tourist spot in the province of Quezon is said to be the home of ancient spirits and a shrine for supernatural power.
For these reasons, numerous religious cults believe Mount Banahaw to be sacred, where devotees must go to make their yearly pilgrimages and celebrate their rituals. Some even have settled down at the foothills of the mountain to commune continually with their gods.
Over the years, however, tourists and devotees alike have inflicted much damage on Mount Banahaw’s pristine surroundings.
Owing to neglect and carelessness, heaps of garbage littered the area, according to the Lucena Protected Area Management Board. The municipal watchdog tasked to protect the mountain’s environmental health disclosed that nearly half a million tourists and devotees annually climb Mount Banahaw, during the Holy Week and two weeks before Lent.
We can only guess at the amount of damage these visits have wreaked on the mountain. Moreover, since some cultists have settled on its footsteps, we can surmise that part of their food and water comes from the mountain’s plants and wildlife. This, too, can upset its ecological balance.
Preserving Mount Banahaw has gained paramount importance, since it is the largest watershed in Southern Tagalog and a magnet for tourism. A member of the board, Manny Calbayog, also Lucena’s municipal and natural resources officer, has disclosed that the towns around the mountain have started to experience a decrease in their water supply—no doubt as a result of the harm done to Banahaw over a long period of time.
We commend the move to save Mount Banahaw from further deterioration by imposing a five-year ban on tourists and religious devotees who would trample all over the place.
Beginning April 5, and covering the next five years, the mountain will be off limits to visitors, except for certain assigned areas at its foot where worshipers can do their annual rituals. April 5 marks the start of Holy Week, Expecting a howl of protest from faithful and wayward pilgrims, Calbayog noted that “only two out of ten climbers are real devotees.” If they were really God-fearing Christians, would they leave garbage in their church? Indeed, would a devout Catholic leave bubble-gum wrappers inside the Saint Peter’s Basilica?
He has observed that garbage left by “devotees” after Holy Week included sleazy magazines, playing cards and empty liquor bottles. These are hardly the things you’d expect from people who go to Mount Banahaw to nourish their soul and spirit.
The moratorium on the beautiful mountain, harsh as it may seem, is very necessary. Given the mountain’s historic and cultural niche, the government must act to protect it. The ban could have been prevented, of course, had those who frequently go there obeyed the old saying: “Cleanliness is next to godliness.”
Date: February 25, 2007 : We are at the summit , Santong Durungawan. (Holy Window ) Unang Dungaw , cooking our dinner : ) .
Local folks said that it is now open for public but they have not announce such thing because the news were easily spread out. As the saying goes " May pakpak ang balita may tainga ang lupa ". If you are truly a devotee of Mt. Banahaw you can surely know these and grab your back pack and trekking through the Mountains of Holliness.
The Legend of the Holy Mountain - Mt. Banahaw
HOLY MOUNTAN - THE LEGENDS OF MT. BANAHAW
A legend has it that because of the turmoil in the Middle East in a not too distant past, the four Archangels transferred the Holy Land to Mt. Banahaw. In the 16th century, a legend said that a Chinese cutter, Juan Ynbin, who’s body dismembered by the Spaniards and thrown to the sea as a result of a revolt against forced labor during the construction of the shrine of Caysasay came back to life. He claimed that a beautiful woman saved him from the sea and placed him on a leaf that carried him to Majayjay within the view of Banahaw.
Another legend says that somewhere in between 1886 and 1939, a Holy Voice or Santong Boses, dictated the locations of the holy places in Banahaw which also gave the names to these places. It was given to one of the famous mystics of Banahaw, Agripino Lontoc from Taal Batangas who hid in the mountains from the Spaniards who branded him as a rebel. He also went into the mountains to seek for amulets.
The story goes that every time he tried to leave the mountain, he would go blind and this forced him to stay in Banahaw to become one of it’s first hermits.
Banahaw was also the headquarter of a group of dissidents headed by the famous local hero, Apolinario de la Cruz or Hermano Pule sometime in 1840-43.
He was the person who named places such as Jacob and Kalbaryo. In an offensive against Pule, he and his wife was killed wherein his head, stucked to a pole, was displayed at the road to Tayabas to warn all rebels. Pule promised to return as the Santong Boses.
A legend has it that because of the turmoil in the Middle East in a not too distant past, the four Archangels transferred the Holy Land to Mt. Banahaw. In the 16th century, a legend said that a Chinese cutter, Juan Ynbin, who’s body dismembered by the Spaniards and thrown to the sea as a result of a revolt against forced labor during the construction of the shrine of Caysasay came back to life. He claimed that a beautiful woman saved him from the sea and placed him on a leaf that carried him to Majayjay within the view of Banahaw.
Another legend says that somewhere in between 1886 and 1939, a Holy Voice or Santong Boses, dictated the locations of the holy places in Banahaw which also gave the names to these places. It was given to one of the famous mystics of Banahaw, Agripino Lontoc from Taal Batangas who hid in the mountains from the Spaniards who branded him as a rebel. He also went into the mountains to seek for amulets.
The story goes that every time he tried to leave the mountain, he would go blind and this forced him to stay in Banahaw to become one of it’s first hermits.
Banahaw was also the headquarter of a group of dissidents headed by the famous local hero, Apolinario de la Cruz or Hermano Pule sometime in 1840-43.
He was the person who named places such as Jacob and Kalbaryo. In an offensive against Pule, he and his wife was killed wherein his head, stucked to a pole, was displayed at the road to Tayabas to warn all rebels. Pule promised to return as the Santong Boses.
Chocolates, Redbull, Extra Jos and Soup No 5 - Bat and Balls
These were the foods and supplements that keep you going going going and going to conquer the holy mountain........ well with out the energizer my camera won't work and these picture were not possible to see : ) hehehe.
They call this special mami ,but from Manila, specially in the Makati Rolling Canteen, they call these Pares. whew! hot. We had a bowl of this before and after our adventure to the mountain. This will ad up to our energy and burn while climbing. Fortunately I have so much fats to burn. But those fats did not help me climbed.
This is how my fats burned : )
Bat and Balls
They call this special mami ,but from Manila, specially in the Makati Rolling Canteen, they call these Pares. whew! hot. We had a bowl of this before and after our adventure to the mountain. This will ad up to our energy and burn while climbing. Fortunately I have so much fats to burn. But those fats did not help me climbed.
This is how my fats burned : )
At the peak of the Holy Mountain - Unang Dungaw sa bundok ng Banahaw
February 25, 2007 - Sunday 3:30 am - Mt. Banahaw 2007It is said that Mt. Banahaw keeps away those who are not yet ready to receive its secrets.
" Well after 15 years of waiting, Finally I recieved the secrets of the Holy Mountain".The following post will be our long day, short journey to Mt Banahaw. Imagine walking, scrumbling, rope climbing...etc. for one day just to reach the peak ( Unang Dungaw ) of the Holy Mt. Banahaw.
For a rookie like me, trekking to the Mountain takes 10hrs to reach the first peak ( Unang Dungaw ).But for the veterans that climbed Mt. Banahaw since 1991, they can reach the peak in just 2-3 hrs. Those veterans we're my companion in my first adventure to the Holy Mountain."
"
Daday" ang taong bundok, hehehehe. i know this guy from the basketball court in our hometown, Taytay,Rizal. Daday served as my guide/sherpa. Sherpa? hmmmm well this guy trained along side with the pinoy who climbed Mt. Everest, here in Mt. Banahaw, those people were trained here in Mt. Banahaw and got their energy and stamina from the Mountains of Banahaw. The Mountain of Banahaw served as the training ground of mountaineers. Well those people who have known from around the world being the First Filipino climbed the Mt. Everest mostly were the product of the Holy Mountain.Rising some 2450 meters from sea level, this active volcano, a part of the Banahaw-Cristobal National Park, has long been believed to be a storehouse of psychic energy. The local residents considers it a sacred mountain. It teems with legends and superstitions. It has been the home to countless members of religious cults, hermits, soul searchers, spiritist and faith healers who climbs its slopes to meditate in it’s cave and commune with the mountain spirits. It clearly shows the other side of Filipino fanaticism and superstitious ways. Being in Banahaw is something like stepping into incredible stories of apparitions, heavenly voices, strange sounds, dwarves, fairies and even UFO’s.
Geographically, Banahaw stands on a power point where the key lines of the earth intersect.Wherever such latitudes and longitudes meet, they create energy fields that allow higher frequencies of perception, physiological or otherwise.
Banahaw is one of those rare fields just like Lourdes in France, Sedona in Arizona, Bali in Indonesia and Ayers Rock in Australia, to name a few. People living in the foot of the mountain speaks of apparitions of Jesus Christ, the Blessed Virgin Mary and even Dr. Jose P. Rizal and other national heroes.
An old legend has it that a hermit living near Banahaw once had a vision that it was to become the New Jerusalem. Appropriately, the names of all topographical features had been given names with biblical allusions, Kinabuhayan, Dolores, Santo Kalbaryo, Kweba ng Dios Ama and the famous Jacob’s Well to name a few. During Holy Week, pilgrims ascend to the crater rim peaks called Durungawan to relieve the passion and death of Jesus Christ. There, three crosses have been strategically planted to recreate the actual crucifixion scene. On Good Friday, however, the summit should be deserted, as the mystics believe that only God the Father may bear witness to His Son’s death.
It is also said that on the same day, an enkanto (spirit) opens a hidden cave near the crosses, which acts as the pathway to the nether world. Anyone left on the summit will be compelled to enter it and never return. Mt. Banahaw is a silent eloquent towering refuge. It forces the visitor to see beyond, if only momentarily, his/her superfluous needs. For an instant, even the most jaded traveler becomes pure of heart and for that alone, a climb up the mountain is well worth it.
Banahaw is located 100 kilometers southeast of Manila. It is the highest peak among a series of mountains and is surrounded by the towns of San Pablo, Majayjay, Liliw, Nagcarlan, Tiaong, Candelaria, Sariaya, Lucena, Tayabas and Lucban. Being an active volcano, its last recorded eruption was on 1721. That eruption caused a lake to form on the volcano’s crater which may have caused the crater to burst open during a possible eruption of 1743, though geographer Fr. Huerta mentioned in his Estado Geographica that it happened sometime 1730. The crater today is called ilalim. It also resulted the transfer of the town of Sariaya to its fourth and present site. In the 19th century Banahaw was called Monte de Majayjay or Monte San Cristobal which was then considered the "gateway" in ascending the mountain. It was also called "Vulcan de Agua" because of the numerous springs that flows from the base.
The present name Banahaw might have been derived from the word Ban-aw which means a vantage point to a lofty position.
INFORMATION:
Mount Banahaw
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mount Banahaw (alternatively Banáhao) is a dormant volcano located on the boundary of Majayjay, Laguna and Lucban, Quezon in Luzon, Philippines. It is considered to be sacred by the local residents. It has another of this mountain and it was named as Mount Banahaw de Lucban.
Physical characteristics
Height/ Elevation: 2,158 m asl (7,080 feet)
Crater: breached by 1.5 km x 3.5 km at its southern rim; 210 deep
Major adjacent volcanic edifices:
Mount San Cristobal (at western slope)
Mount Banahaw de Lucban (at northeastern slope) Buho
Masalakot Domes (at southwestern slope)
Mount Mayabobo Maars: Lake Dagatan and Lake Ticab
Thermal Areas:
Tiaong-San Pablo hot/warm springs
Bakia warm/cold springs
Sampaloc warm springs
Mainit hot/warm springs
Cagsiay hot/warm springs
Composition of Lava: Andesitic
Coordinates: 14°4′0″N, 121°29′0″E
Type: Complex Volcano
Last Eruption:
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