マウント・バナハウ
悲しみを癒し、秘密を解き放つ山
ケソン州の広大な自然保護区にそびえる標高2170メートルのバナハウ山。昔から、心霊体験をした人が多い神秘的な活火山として知られています。洞窟、滝、川を擁する山は、レジャースポットとして人気があると同時に、癒し、そして悲しみから立ち直るきっかけを求めて多くの人が訪れます。
バナハウ山に来たら、まずは「プリシンタハン」と呼ばれる洞窟へ。昔からの習わしで、その起源は定かではないのですが、ろうそくの火で照らされる中、ろうそくで洞窟の岩壁に名前を書いて祈りを捧げます。
マウント・バナハウを訪れたら最初に祈りを捧げる場所「プリシンタハン(Prisintahan)」
人間のマナーが問われる
バナハウ山は公式には2004年以降、環境保護のため閉鎖されていますが、一部入山が認められているところがあり、その1つがバランガイ・セントルシアのシティオ・カマゴンというエリアです。このエリアには大きな駐車場があり、お守りや石、水晶などスピリチュアルアイテムを売る店が立ち並びます。地元のツアーガイドに同行を依頼する場合は、決まった料金設定はなく、「気持ち」を表す額を支払います。
山の斜面にさまざまな宗教団体の施設などが建つのも、バナハウ山の霊的な力が信じられているからでしょう。この一帯は「聖なる場所」で、ろうそくに火を付けて祈り、自分の秘密を解き放つことができるところとされています。バナハウ山が「秘密の山」という別名を持つのは、このためです。
かつてバナハウ山には聖週間に50万人が詰めかけました。しかし、大量のゴミが残され環境破壊の恐れが生じたために、政府によって閉鎖されたという経緯があります。人の目に見えない力を持つとされる山が、人間の心ない行動によってその存在を脅かされてしまうのです。バナハウ山に行ったなら、神聖な山に敬意を持ち、あるがままの姿を残すべく責任ある行動を心がけたいものです。
Mount Banahaw
The Holy Land of Spiritual Vitality
Among the well-known locations with longstanding histories of mystery and spiritual encounters is Mount Banahaw, a complex, active volcano revered by spiritually inclined nature enthusiasts, pilgrims, and mountaineers. Located in Quezon Province, this mountain is part of the Mount Banahaw–San Cristobal Protected Landscape, spanning 10,901 hectares.
Mount Banahaw houses several natural wonders such as caves, waterfalls, and rivers. Exploring these places can offer a deep sense of reconnecting with nature. While not recommended for typical leisure activities, the mountain brings solace and is believed to offer healing to those who seek it, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual.
Before starting your journey, it is customary to visit a place known as the “Prisintahan,” a spot where visitors are expected to present themselves. The origin of this tradition is unclear, but it involves carving your name in the cave using the back of a candle, lighting it, and offering a prayer for guidance throughout your exploration.
Although the mountain remains officially closed as mandated by the government due to environmental damage caused by previous visitors, certain accessible areas, especially the hillsides, remain open. One such place is Sitio Kamagong in Barangay Sta. Lucia. This site features a spacious parking area and several stores that sell anting-anting, stones, crystals, and other spiritual items. Visitors often bring these along during treks to have them blessed and energized by the mountain. Local tour guides are also available, who are welcoming and helpful. While there are no fixed rates, they accept any amount you are comfortable giving.
Various communities and religious groups reside on the slopes of the mountain, where they have established churches and continue to gather followers. They are drawn to Mount Banahaw because of the powerful energy it exudes. Scattered throughout the area are sacred spots known as “puestos” or Holy Places where visitors can light candles, offer prayers, and unburden their secrets, which is why Mount Banahaw is also called the Mountain of Secrets.
This area draws large numbers of devotees, especially during the Lenten Season. In the past, it would attract crowds of over half a million before the mountain’s closure in 2004. Today, the numbers are significantly lower, but still substantial. Unfortunately, the environmental toll from past visits, particularly the amount of trash left behind, is one of the main reasons the mountain remains closed to this day. While it is believed to hold powers beyond what meets the eye, it remains vulnerable to the consequences of human activity. To preserve its sacredness, it is our responsibility to treat it with respect and to leave it as we found it.
