Mt. Igmatongtong (799+) – Antique’s Trails of the Iraynon-Bukidnon

March 20, 2020July 24, 2021 Rex Lim Lim ANTIQUE, BLOG, IGMATONGTONG, LAUAAN, mountains, TRANSIT PINAS, TRAVEL GUIDE

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Mt. Igmatongtong is one of the minor mountains in the province where we can get a taste of what it’s like hiking in Antique. It is our lifelong dream of finishing the Antique Madness hike which is consisted of the mighty mountains of Nangtud, Madjaas, Baloy Daku, and Igcuron.

We’re coming, Mt. Igmatongtong!

Antique holds natural wonders that is still far from the spotlight it deserves, which is a good thing. For the longest time, the Iraynon-Bukidnon, the indigenous people of the province, is still working on their lasting legacy which are the rice terraces carved among the mountain slopes which is reminiscent of those in the Cordilleras of Luzon.

Muscovado-Landia

Table of Contents

Still sleepy after a short solo flight from Manila, I rode the shuttle van outside of Iloilo International Airport. Half an hour later inside the van crammed with people, I met two of my friends in San Pedro Terminal of the Molo District, who’ve been busy the past few days roaming around Guimaras and Capiz, and took the next van bound for Culasi in Antique.

The van was rather crammed-up, and falling asleep was harder than I have expected given our body built and our large backpacks. Some three hours later, we alighted at what they call as Lugta Crossing of Laua-an, Antique after crossing the bridge hovering above the Paningayan River.

We then contacted Kapitana Melanie for our habal-habal service, just to realize that they were already there since I had messaged her earlier when we are still in Bugasong. We decided to get some lunch first at a roadside eatery before proceeding to Brgy. Capnayan.

The road along Brgy. Guinbanggan, an upland Barangay, was purely cemented passing through communities, sugarcane plantations and rice fields.

Little did I know that from the main highway, Brgy. Capnayan is only accessible through single motorcycles wherein we passed through steep and narrow cemented walkways and most of the time.

Half an hour later, we stopped at what they call as the junction since it is now not accessible by motorcycles and the only way to reach the area is by foot.

The view from there is already rewarding, the low-lying communities, the rice fields, and hills dominated the vista. The municipality of Laua-an is also known as the Sugar Capital of Antique for the notable production of Muscovado Sugar.

This is also known as Nalupa Nuevo or pueblo near the mouth of the river, meaning it is already a pueblo before the start of the Spanish-American War.

We started the trek to Kapitana’s house, after seeing his son waiting for us from the junction. I was dead wrong from thinking that the house is just a few meters away since she said that no trek will be done if we take the service from the highway. It took us half an hour again through the Bali-like rice terraces and mountain trail to reach the jump-off point.

Awakening Godzilla

We arrived at Brgy. Capnayan a little past noon time, Kap. Melanie also assisted us very well and even welcomed us inside their humble abode. We also then registered and changed into our hiking clothes before our guide eventually arrived to assist us in this short hike to Mt. Igmatongtong.

The indigenous people of Antique, the Iraynon-Bukidnon, is known for their rice terraces which is also their lasting legacy. Contrary to popular belief, it is not only in Ifugao we get to see amazing rice terraces – Antique has versions that can rival those of in the Cordilleras of Luzon.

The rice fields that welcomed us along the way are uniquely, Anique, I felt like I was inside Indonesia’s Tegallalang Rice Terraces but a more compact one, but this one has the Capnayan Waterfall which is a stand-out from the rest – a waterfall between rice terraces!

The cemented steps were rather slippery that it took us some time walking just to make sure we won’t slip down. After quite an ascent to the upper Sitio, the even more wider and vast rice fields came into sight.

One hour already have passed, and we found ourselves among the mountain pass leading to the very summit of the mountain, from afar, the rock, emblazoned at the very top came into sight.

The last assault proved to be a little bit taxing, but not until storm clouds blew from all directions.

The view from where we were staying is truly worth the hike, the ridges and peaks were all scattered in almost every direction as far as the eyes can see. The summit got covered in thick blankets of white smoke that we had no choice but to scale it and wait for the afternoon shower to further subside.

Then what we had hoped for came into being. The clouds slowly released the summit from its chilly embrace and the Sulu Sea and the surrounding mountains came into full view!

Mt. Igmatongtong translates literally to “Ulo (Igma) Na Nakapatong (Tong-tong)” or a head placed on top. The name was derived from the story of then natives, Anglo and Ligaya, which is said that Anglo used his superpowers to place a head-like rock formation on the mountain to scare of marauders alike to protect his wife, Ligaya. But it still looks like a Dinosaur to me, sorry Sir Anglo.

After spending an hour at the summit of Mt. Igmatongtong and refilling our hungry tummies, and had our fix of what it’s like to hike in the province of Antique, we decided to descend down to catch the last bus or van bound for Iloilo.

We also met Ate Mary, who happens to be a teacher to the barrios. We asked here where she is heading to and said that she’s going home after a day in the elementary school of Capnayan – which is only until the third grade.

She has done this trek everyday for the last five years and said that she will continue doing this as long as there’s a child in the area who goes to school to learn.

We got back at the main road at 04:30 in the afternoon, and had some snacks as we waited for the Ceres Bus bound for Iloilo. It turned out to be a rather really wrong decision since it took us more than four freaking hours just to reach Tigbauan, Iloilo (a UV Express Van might have taken this route in just 2 hours or even lesser than that)

So much for a rewarding day hike in Antique, next stop, Iloilo’s Mt. Napulak!

Travel Tips

One can contact Kap Melanie at 0997 327 9610, so she could arrange a habal-habal service to fetch you and/or your group in Lugta Crossing instead of chartering a tricycle then transferring to another habal-habal.
From the Brgy. Capnayan Junction, the hike immediately starts and will take you 30 minutes or less before arriving at Kap. Melanie’s House.
There are stores in the Barangay where you can buy food, and where you can refill your water.
You can also ask Kap. Melanie to prepare lunch for your group for a minimal cost so your group could have a sumptuous lunch after the hike.
Start early, the trail going to the summit passes through open rice fields and grassy mountain slopes with no tree covers.
If pressed on time, one can opt to ride the shuttle vans since stopovers are not that frequent and traverses the roads faster than the buses.
One can also take the Ceres Buses but it takes a lot more time to arrive at your destination. From Lau-an it took us almost 5 hours before we arrived in Tigbauan, Iloilo. If we chose to take the van going back to Iloilo, it could’ve just took us 2.5hrs or less.
Also prepare food for your guide, as a sign of courtesy.
Respect local cultures and practices, be sensitive.
Practice LNT Principles at all times.
After the hike, one can proceed to Tibiao, which is about half an hour away, for a nice Kawa Hot Bath or a visit to Bugtong Bato Falls. Alternately, the looming mighty mountains of Antique is just within reach, or one can also savor the azure waters of Mararison Island in Culasi.

How To Get There

Mt. Igmatongtong is located in Brgy. Capnayan, Laua-an, Antique.

If coming from Iloilo International Airport:
- Approximately 160+ kilometers (4-5hrs travel time, fastest route)
- Ride any UV Express/Shuttle Vans bound for Molo South Terminal and ask to be dropped off at San Pedro Terminal. (70php/pax – 30 minutes)
- Then transfer to another shuttle van bound for Culasi, Antique. Tell your driver that you are bound for Laua-an, Antique. (170php/pax – 3-4hours)
  - Alternately you can take the Ceres Bus which has more comfortable seats and wider leg room, fare is at 140php, but take note that travel time will take longer. (Additional 1-2 hours)
- Alight at Lugta Crossing, the landmark is after the bridge with the Laua-an Welcome Arch.
- From Lugta Crossing hail a tricycle to bring you to Brgy. Guinbanggan (50php/trip – 15 minutes), upon arrival at the Barangay, charter a habal-habal to take you to the mountain junction of Brgy. Capnayan where the first part of the trek starts. (50php – 15 minutes)
  - Alternately you can charter a habal-habal from the highway to take you directly to Capnayan Junction. You contact their former Brgy. Captain, who they call as Kap. Melanie at 0997 327 9610. She assisted us very well during our visit. (100php/pax – 30 minutes)
- From the Junction, trek for 30 minutes before reaching Brgy. Capnayan. You can leave your stuff there if doing a dayhike, then the hike going to the summit of Mt. Igmatongtong is 1.5 to 2.5 hours depending on your pacing.
- Be sure to drop by Brgy. Capnayan to register (donation only) and it is mandatory to secure a guide (300php/5pax)

If coming from San Jose de Buenavista, Antique:
- Approximately 55.5+ kilometers (1-2 hours travel time)
- A domestic airport will be opened soon, entering Antique province will be much easier. Philippine Airlines will serve this route from Manila or Clark.
- Take any bus or van bound for Laua-an, Antique. Travel time takes 1-2hrs, and fare is less than 100php.
- Alight at Lugta Crossing, the landmark is after the bridge with the Laua-an Welcome Arch.
- Follow the instructions from the previous Iloilo Route.

If coming from Caticlan Airport in Aklan (Godofredo P. Ramos Airport):
- Approximately 122+kilometers (2.5-3.5 hours travel time)
  - If coming from Kalibo International Airport in Aklan, alot atleast additional 1 hour travel time.
- Take any bus/van bound for San Jose de Buenavista, Antique, travel time 2.5 to 3.5 hours, fare should not be more than 200ph/pax
- Alight at Lugta Crossing, the landmark is after the bridge with the Laua-an Welcome Arch.
- Follow the instructions from the previous Iloilo Route.

Budget and Itinerary

This is part of our 2-Day #PanayAngAkyat Climbs in Antique and Iloilo.

DAY 01

0545 Arrival Iloilo Airport
0600 Take van to Molo Terminal 70php
0645 San Pedro Van Terminal
0730 take van to Laua-an, Antique 180php
1035 Arrival at Lugta Crossing, Laua-an, Antique
1045 Lunch at Barangayan Food House
1100 Charter Habal-habal to Brgy. Capnayan (100php)
1130 Brgy. Capnayan Junction, Start trek to Kapitana’s House
1150 Arrival at Kapitana’s house
1230 Start trek (Guide Fee:300php/5pax)
1400 Summit Mt. Igmatongtong (799+MASL)
1445 Descend down
1530 Back at Kapitana’s House
1600 Junction, charter habal to highway (100php)
1630 Barangayan, wait for bus bound for Iloilo
1700 Bus bound for Iloilo (132php)
2100 Shamrock Resort (650php)

DAY 02

0600 Wake up call
0700 Take jeep to Igbaras 28php
0730 Arrival at Igbaras, register (25php), breakfast
0830 Charter Habal-habal to Brgy. Bagay (100php)
0900 Brgy. Bagay, register, secure guide (700php) donation
0930 Start trek
1030 First watersource
1115 Last Watersource
1230 Mt. Napulak summit, lunch
1300 Explore pinnacle rock
1445 Descend down 1615 Limbaong Falls
1645 Brgy. Bagay, tidy up
1700 charter habal-habal back to Igbaras (100php)
1730 Take jeep back to Iloilo City (50php)
1900 Iloilo Boardwalk, Dinner at Ramboy’s Liempo Aklan
2100 Check in at Hotel
2200 Lights off

DAY 03
0615 Flight back to Manila

0700 Arrival in Manila

Budget for Mt. Igmatongtong Climb (If coming from Molo, Iloilo) – 700php/pax, excluding food and other incidentals