Located in Culasi town in the province of Antique northern portion, it is part of Central Panay Mountain Range the longest mountain ranges in the island. The mountain has been regarded as one of the most sacred abodes in the Visayas since ancient times, as it is the repository of Sidapa's ancient sacred tree that is used to measure mortal lives. The god of meteors, Bulalakaw, and supreme goddess of the Hiligaynon, Kanlaon, also lived in the mountain prior to their change of abode. Pandaki, god of second chances, is also said to occasionally visit the mountain.
Background
Its summit is above sea level, it is covered by misty forest. In Kinaray-a, the name means "high" or "lofty". The name of the mountain is also associated with the Kedatuan of Madja-as, a royal state confederation in Panay which existed from 1200 AD to 1569 AD. It is located in the town of Culasi in Antique Province. The legendary mountain of Madia-as has been part of Antiqueño's culture, history and literature. It has a total of 14 waterfalls and the source of two major rivers in Northern Antique Dalanas River, Tibiao River and neighboring province of Aklan the tributary of Aklan River. One can see some of the biggest waterfalls like white strands in the slopes of the mountain. To the southeast Mount Madia-as facing on the rival Mount Nangtud the second highest peak in Panay separated by Dalanas River.
Mythology
According to Visayan mythology, the mountain is home to Sidapa, the handsome and robust god of death and war who wore a crown made of golden horns. Sidapa is believed to possess a very tall tree where he measures the lives of all the new-born, and places a mark on the tree. When the person's stature equals the mark provided, the person dies immediately. Afterwards, Sidapa will reap the kalag of a person and bring it to Magwayen, who in turn brings the soul to Salud or Saad. Sidapa is said to determine the life force of a person by using magical trees in his mountain home. Bulalakaw, the god of meteors, also lived in the mountain. Sidapa and Bulalakaw are known to be good friends. Bulalakaw later chose to dwell in the sky to formally take on the role as god of meteors. Pandaki, the god of second chances, is said to occasionally visit Sidapa, who he is very fond of and loyal to. The supreme goddess, Kanlaon, is believed to have lived in Mount Madia-as for some time as well, however, she later transferred her abode to Mount Kanlaon in Negros island after the Hiligaynon epic heroes Kan and Laon slayed the dragon-like monster that lived in Mount Kanlaon.
