Take a virtual tour of Canlaon City in Negros Oriental, Philippines -- a haven for adventure travelers.
Canlaon City, Negros Oriental
A Favorite of Adventure Travelers in the Philippines
The main attraction of Canlaon City is a trek up Mount Kanlaon, the most imposing landmark in
the island of Negros and one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines.
While Mt. Kanlaon itself falls under the political jurisdiction of the adjacent province of Negros Occidental, it is accessible from Canlaon which is a city in Negros Oriental.
Canlaon City, situated on the eastern foot plain of Mt. Canlaon, sits at the boundary dividing both provinces of Negros Island. It s bounded on the north by the city of San Carlos and west by La Castellana, Negros Occidental, on the east by Vallehermoso on the south by Guihulngan, Negros Oriental.
CANLAON CITY AT A GLANCE
Distance from Dumaguete City: 167.26 kms
Land Area:
160.7 sq km
Population:
50,208 (2007)
Fiesta:
Celebrations are held yearly in March in honor of Canlaon City's patron saint, St. Joseph
Festival:
Pasayaw Festival - March 19th
Tourist Attractions:
Mt Kanlaon, Margaha Valley, Makawiliwili Ridge, Adudusan Water Slide, Inyawan Enchanted Falls, Oldest Tree, Camp Mapot & Mountain Park
PLACES OF INTEREST
Mount Kanlaon
The most imposing landmark in the island of Negros and one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines. At 2,415 meters above sea level Mt Kanlaon has the highest peak in Central Philippines. Experienced climbers consider this a "major climb, with a difficulty level of 7/9, and trail class 2-4" [1]
One of the attractions of Mt. Kanlaon is the Sudlon waterfalls and Margaha Valley, the volcano’s former crater, which is located just below the base of the present-day active crater.
Makawiliwili Ridge
Also known as the “Saddle in the Sky”, the ridge is located between two mountain peaks almost 8000 feet above sea level, and frequently used by scientists and climbers as vantage point in observing the two craters of Kanlaon Volcano.
Mayon Zigzag
A portion of the highway from the junction of Barangay Bagawines where the road ascends in a zigzag, affording a changing panoramic view of the blue waters of Tañon Strait and the island of Cebu, and hugging the foothill dwellings of farmers like toy houses surrounded by cornfields. The climb ends in Barangay Tagbino of Canlaon City.
Adudusan Natural Water Slide
One of Canlaon’s numerous falls has carved a natural water slide that is popular among trekkers
Inyawan Enchanted Falls
Flows 100 feet off Inyawan River at the edge of a forest. Cold and clear waters cascade downstream to join Masaulog River; accessible by road.
Quipot Falls
Bottle-shaped cascade about 100 feet; largest of three neighboring waterfalls fed by Binalbagan, Malaiba and Linothangan tributaries. Deep basin ideal for swimming and boating.
Oldest Tree
Reportedly the oldest tree in the Philippines, this huge balete tree is estimated to be more than a thousand years old. llluminated by thousands of fireflies at night, it has been called the "Wonder Tree" and is definitely a sight to behold.
Camp Mapot and Mountain Park
A verdant plateau situated 5,000 feet above sea level, first developed as a health camp, with pine trees, streams and hillside springs, rare flora and fauna, and with temperature and scenery reminiscent of Baguio’s City. Camp Mapot is a part of the Mt. Kanlaon National Park, a favorite of nature trekkers.
A Brief History of Canlaon City
Old folks of Canlaon mention of a pair of ill-starred lovers Princess Laon and Kang who were forced to elope to keep their warring chieftain fathers from breaking them apart. Unfortunately, the lovers were captured and doomed to die amidst the harsh conditions of the wilderness.
From their deathbed rose Malaspina, a fabled volcano intermittently spewing lava. It was later called Canlaon, considered one of the highest peaks in the Philippines, rising at 8,000 feet above sea level.
In the olden times, Canlaon was known as Sitio “Mabigo” of Barrio Panubigan,which was then under the Municipality of Vallehermoso, a place where bigo trees abound. This wilderness area was ruled by a native chieftain called “Saniko.”
Later on , Mabigo became part of the sprawling property of Don Diego de la Viña in Vallehermoso. The area soon gained prominence as a hub of commerce and agriculture as migrants from Cebu, Bohol and Panay settled in the area. In 1941, an Ilocano geodetic engineer, Isidro Bautista Sr., who married a dela Viña girl, Natividad, along with Mabigo residents filed a petition urging the national government for Mabigo’s conversion into a municipality. However, war in the Pacific broke out and dimmed all hopes for the township.
October 11, 1946 saw the creation of the Municipality of Canlaon, when then President Manuel Roxas issued Executive Order No. 19 declaring the separation of Mabigo and its surrounding sitios from Vallehermoso. Isidro Bautista Sr., became the first mayor of the municipality of Canlaon.
Republic Act No. 3445 created the Chartered City of Canlaon on June 18, 1961.
Its inauguration as a city came by virtue of Executive Order No. 193 issued by then President Ferdinand Marcos on July 2, 1967.
RELATED ARTICLES:
HOW TO GET TO CANLAON
Canlaon City is a four-hour drive from from Dumaguete City. Regular bus trips depart of Dumaguete City to Canlaon.
THINGS TO DO
Hiking, Trekking, Mountain Climbing, Swimming & Water Fun with Natural Slides
WHAT TO SEE
Mt Kanlaon, Margaha Valley, Makawiliwili Ridge, Adudusan Water Slide, Inyawan Enchanted Falls, Oldest Tree, Camp Mapot & Mountain Park
WHERE TO STAY
Canlaon City Pension House
JCC Inn
Midway Inn
GEOGRAPHY
Situated on the eastern side of Mt. Canlaon, Canlaon City is bounded on the north by San Carlos City of Negros Occidental; on the east by Vallehermoso, and on the west by La Castellana of Negros Occidental. The city is 38 kms. from San Carlos City; 50 kms. from Guihulngan; 33 kms. from La Castellana; 167 kms. from Dumaguete City and 12.092 kms. from the provincial boundary.
With a total land area of 160.7 sq. km.. Canlaon City is comprised of 13 barangays. Mt. Canlaon National Park covers 24,577 hectares while the mountain rises at 8,050 ft.
FESTIVALS & EVENTS
PASAYAW FESTIVAL - March 19th
A combined word of “Pasalamat Pinaagi sa Sayaw” (a thanksgiving through dance), the festival blends history, socio-cultural materials and religious traditions with the legend of the ill-fated lovers Kan and Laon to depict triumph over death and violence
In the photos above are (upper photo) Margaha Valley, Kanlaon volcano's former crater, which is located just below the base of the present-day active crater seen in the background and (lower photo) what is reputed to be the oldest tree in the Philippines.
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