The site of the MFPI "Annual Congress and Climb" in 1981, Mt. Madja-as (also Madia-as or Madya-as) is situated in Culasi, a major town in the north of the province of Antique. Adjacent of the loftier Mt. Nangtod (7,232 ft.), Mt. Madja-as (6,822 ft.) is the third highest peak, second to Mt. Baloy (7,049 ft.) in the island of Panay (the Philippines). The first known climb of Madja-as was done in 1977 by an Antique party.
Slightly below 7,000 ft., Mt. Madja-as has a base-to-peak rise of about 6,500 ft., much higher than those of some 8,000-footer like Mt. Kanla-on. Among the most difficult peak in the country, it cannot be climbed for a single day. At least four (4) days are needed to climb its summit. The Alojipan Trail has an initial ascent on a cogonal section (Banderahan Uno), terribly steep and hot in the mid-day sun, a challenge to break the spirit of a climber early in the assault.
The following are the members of the Victorias City (Negros Occidental) Climbing Party:
1.) Jeffrey Legaspi (Northern Trekkers Club, Inc.) - Climb Leader
2.) Dennis S. Ella (Singarong Backpackers) - Member
3.) Mariebelle D. Porras (Singarong Backpackers) - Member
4.) Ernina Defino (Kaabyanan sa Dabok Mountaineers) - Member
5.) Dimas Maquiling (Brgy. Alojipan, Culasi, Antique) - Mountain Guide
Mt. Madja-as is accessible from two popular trail-heads - Flores and Alojipan, both are barangays of Culasi, Antique. The original Alojipan Trail which was utilized by the 1977 climbing party follows the ridge adjacent to the right of the Hangod Tubig Trail. The original trail is no longer in use for a 'bitas' or 'break' caused by landslide in a section of the ridge makes it unpassable.
The Hangod Tubig Trail capitalizes on a creek ('hangod tubig' means' big water') northwest of the Madja-as summit that serves as the last water-source for the assault of the peak. This trail was established late in 1997 by a 21-member party sponsored by the Department of Tourism and the Antique Provincial Government, largely an Antiqueno mountaineering group (Jeffrey is a member of this party) that climbed the summit and traversed to the opposite trail in Flores.
Dimas Maquiling is a common guide in all the mountaineering climbs that start in Alojipan. He knows three of such climbs that utilized the Hangod Tubig Trail (the author could not determine the route taken by a large climbing party participated by some Americans or Caucasians and led by San Jose mountaineers). Of these three climbing parties, only the 1997 party did a successful climb of the true summit. The UPVM party (a student group) reached only Banderahan Dos while another UP party (a professional group) reached as far as the First Peak.
In perspective, the bid of the Victorias party is the Fourth Hangod Tubig Attempt. Following the Mindoro climbing party (guided by Iloilo mountaineers) that took the Flores Trail, the Victorias party is the second attempt in the year 2000. Allegedly, the UPVM is preparing a climb this coming September.
6:30 p.m. - Arrival in Culasi, Antique from Victorias City, Negros Occidental (Ms. Amy Yap Alulod offered a
generous accommodation in her residence)
August 26, 2000 (Saturday)
5:45 a.m. - Hired a tricycle for Camancijan and hiked theremainder of thetrail to Alojipan
7:00 a.m. - Chosen guide, Dimas Maquiling, presented the party to the Barangay Capt. who sought for a climbing
permit from Mayor Linda C. Palacios of Culasi
11:15 a.m. - Jeffrey and Dennis were back in Alojipan with a certification from the Culasi Police Station (both
the mayor and the vice mayor were out of town in San Jose)
12:30 p.m. - Trek to Hangod Tubig (first camp) begins
2:20 p.m. - Relief after a tiresome ascent on the cogonal slope of Banderahan Uno [Note: From then on, time
arrival is based on the lead who is 20 minutes to 1 hour ahead of the straggler]
5:43 p.m. - Arrival in Hangod Tubig
August 27, 2000 (Sunday)
7:31 a.m. - Assault begins (some trail sections needed clearing)
10:04 a.m. - Banderahan Dos in the summit ridge (gale winds are experienced)
12:01 p.m. - Belle and Dennis set foot on First Peak (visibility to 20 meters due to the fog)
12:45 p.m. - Arrival in the TRUE SUMMIT (Jeffrey and Ernina are 7 minutes behind)
1:49 p.m. - Leaving the summit while shivering in cold (the veteran guide has never experienced such chill before)
5:45 p.m. - Return in Hangod Tubig (the two stragglers arrive by nightfall an hour later)
August 28, 2000 (Monday)
8:10 a.m. - Break camp in Hangod Tubig
12:10 a.m. - First to desend the slippery cogonal slope of Banderahan Dos (Ernina who has not eaten supper and
breakfast arrives half an hour later)
1:14 p.m. - Arrival in Dimas Maquiling's house
2:28 p.m. - Ernina who has rested for a long time motions the party to move on
4:30 p.m. - Return in the Alulod residence
August 29, 2000 (Tuesday)
3:00 a.m. - Departure aboard the L-300 for Iloilo City