Rising majestically above a sea of clouds in the heart of Negros Island, Mount Kanlaon stands as both a natural wonder and a cultural treasure. At 2,465 meters (8,087 feet) above sea level, it is the highest mountain in the Visayas and the 42nd-highest island peak in the world. More than just an imposing summit, Kanlaon is an active stratovolcano, a cradle of legends, and a lifeline for thousands of Negrenses who live in its shadow.
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| courtesy to the owner |
A Volcano in the Ring of Fire
Mount Kanlaon straddles the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, about 30 kilometers southeast of Bacolod City. It is one of the Philippines’ most active volcanoes and forms part of the Pacific Ring of Fire — a vast zone of tectonic activity known for earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
The volcano’s massive base spans about 30 kilometers in diameter and is dotted with pyroclastic cones and old craters that stretch toward the north-northwest. Just below the summit lies the active Lugud Crater. Nearby is the Margaja Valley, a 2-by-0.8-kilometer caldera that occasionally hosts a small crater lake during rainy seasons.
Kanlaon’s slopes are also home to three hot springs: Mambukal in the northwest, and Bucalan and Bungol on other sides of the mountain. These geothermal features remind visitors that beneath its lush forests and rolling highlands lies a restless volcanic system.
Despite its frequent activity, Kanlaon has not been as extensively studied as other Philippine volcanoes like Mayon or Pinatubo. Its exact age remains uncertain, and scientists continue to monitor it closely through the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), which operates an observatory in La Carlota City.
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| courtesy to the owner |
A History of Eruptions
Since 1819, Kanlaon has erupted more than 40 times. Most eruptions have been phreatic — steam-driven explosions caused when groundwater interacts with hot volcanic material. These events often produce ash plumes and minor ashfall in surrounding communities.
One of the most tragic eruptions occurred on August 10, 1996. Without warning, the volcano exploded while 24 climbers were near the summit. Three climbers — British student Julian Green and Filipinos Jamrain Tragico and Neil Perez — lost their lives. Seventeen others were rescued. The incident served as a painful reminder that Kanlaon, despite its beauty, demands respect.
In the years that followed, the volcano continued to show intermittent restiveness. Increased seismic activity in 2001, ash eruptions in 2002 and 2003, and renewed steam-driven explosions in 2005 and 2006 kept authorities vigilant. Alert levels were periodically raised as precautionary measures.
Activity intensified in the 2010s and 2020s. Notable eruptions in 2015 and 2016 produced ash plumes and minor fires on the slopes. In 2020, heightened seismic unrest prompted PHIVOLCS to raise alert levels again.
The most significant recent events occurred in 2024 and 2025. In June 2024, an explosive eruption sent an incandescent plume 5,000 meters into the sky and generated pyroclastic density currents down the slopes. Ashfall reached multiple provinces, thousands of residents were evacuated, flights were canceled, and agricultural losses reached millions of pesos. Sulfur dioxide emissions reached record levels later that year, signaling potential magma movement beneath the volcano.
By December 2024, Alert Level 3 was declared after another explosive eruption forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents. Activity continued into 2025 and early 2026, with explosive events, ash emissions, and ongoing ground deformation recorded. As of early 2025, Kanlaon remains under close watch, with a permanent danger zone enforced around its summit.
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| courtesy to the owner |
A Mountain of Livelihood and Protection
Despite the risks, Mount Kanlaon is deeply intertwined with life on Negros Island. Its fertile volcanic soil sustains vast sugarcane plantations and other crops, supporting the island’s agricultural economy. However, eruptions can also devastate farmland, as seen in 2024 when thousands of hectares of sugarcane fields were damaged and livestock perished due to ashfall and sulfur contamination.
Beyond agriculture, Kanlaon serves as a watershed and natural barrier against typhoons. Its forests harbor diverse wildlife and provide medicinal plants for local communities. It is the centerpiece of Mount Kanlaon Natural Park, a protected area established in 1934 to preserve its ecological richness.
The mountain is also a favorite destination for hikers. Trails begin in Barangay Guintubdan, where a color-coded Unified Hiking Marker System — developed in partnership with local and European institutions — guides climbers. Red trails mark the most difficult routes, including the summit path. Blue trails indicate challenging routes, while yellow and green trails are easier or connect different paths. These standardized markers promote safe and environmentally responsible tourism.
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| courtesy to the owner |
The Legend Behind the Name
Long before scientific monitoring and hiking trails, Mount Kanlaon was already sacred in the imagination of the people. The name “Kanlaon” means “place of Laon,” referring to a pre-colonial Visayan deity associated with creation, agriculture, and justice. The word “Laon” itself means “ancient one.”
One of the most cherished legends tells of Princess Kang and Prince Laon, whose tragic love story is said to have given birth to the mountain.
According to the tale, King Ramilon ruled a prosperous kingdom blessed with abundant harvests and joyful people. His only child, Princess Kang, was admired for her beauty and grace. Many suitors sought her hand, but her heart belonged to Prince Laon, son of a neighboring rajah.
Their union promised peace between kingdoms, and a grand wedding celebration was prepared. On the day of their marriage, festivities filled the palace with music and laughter. But joy turned to horror when Datu Subanun, a rejected suitor, stormed the palace with his warriors. King Ramilon was slain in the attack.
Amid the chaos, Princess Kang and Prince Laon fled. Pursued by the enraged datu, the lovers realized escape was impossible. Rather than be separated or captured, they chose death together.
Legend says that over time, the earth where they were laid to rest began to rise. The ground swelled into a mighty peak — Mount Kanlaon — a lasting symbol of their love and sacrifice.
Every Valentine’s Day, the story is retold by those who keep the memory alive, passing it from one generation to the next.
A Living Symbol
Today, Mount Kanlaon remains a paradox — both destructive and nurturing, dangerous and life-giving. It commands awe from scientists who study its restless behavior, from climbers who brave its trails, and from local communities who depend on its resources.
Whether viewed as a geological force shaped by tectonic plates or as the eternal monument to star-crossed lovers, Kanlaon stands as the fiery heart of Negros Island. It reminds us that nature holds both power and poetry — and that even in destruction, stories endure.
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