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Discovery-Guelos - Green Earth Awareness 2024

Cuernos de Negros - The Last Frontier of Negros Oriental, Philippines

28 April 2024

Cuernos de Negros (literally mean “Horns of Negros”/locally as Mount Talinis, also known as Magaso) is a large stratovolcano complex that anchors the southeast tip of the Negros Island, central Visayas region, Philippines.

Getting to Mount Talinis would take almost a day to get to the summit and you must be rather in good shape and start extremely early at daybreak. The recommended plan is to coordinate with a Dumaguete City travel agency or check your hotel or guest house other safe recommended group tours and treks. Some people prefer camping near Lake Nailig, approximately 5 miles off Valencia town . Overnight stays in basic cottages near the mountain with local permission, however your own provisions of food, drinking water and relevant outdoor equipment are highly recommended. Adventures in Mount Talinis is much awaited by campers and trekkers as you will come across one of the four Mount Talinis’ crater lakes, where you can swim or do fishing catching fish like carp and tilapia and just grill it in an open fire while enjoying the captivating scenery surrounded by lush trees and exotic fauna and flora.

The youngest radiocarbon date obtained was 14,000 years (Before Present) from a lava flow made of dacitic breccia (a rock composed of large angular broken fragments of minerals or rocks cemented together by a fine-granular matrix) and a younger andesitic unit (lava forming thin capping unit) is present. An increase in fumarolic activity took place after a major tectonic earthquake in 1902. The Palinpinon geothermal field is located south of the Okoy River on the north side of the volcano.

Valencia is a municipality in the province of Negros Oriental, located 9 kilometers or 5.6 miles west and uphill of the provincial capital Dumaguete City. The municipality has 31,477 inhabitants, according to the national census data from the year 2010. In the year 2007 Valencia was voted as “the greenest and cleanest” town of the Negros Oriental Province. The municipality has as a patron saint, Our Lady of the Abandoned, with a town fiesta commemorating her feast day celebrated every year on October 12. The municipality is divided into 24 barangays. In Valencia, the Cebuano dialect is commonly spoken but English is also widely used.

Dumaguete City – the capital of Negros Oriental – is known as the City of Gentle People and University town. Located in region 7, Central Visayas, the charming city became one of the hot-spots for tourists from all over the world. It is a vibrant city which makes its way into the heart of each visitor immediately. While diving is since may years the main attraction of the region, the City government put much effort into promoting the land-based tourist attractions of Dumaguete and Negros Oriental.

Negros Oriental, a laid-back province situated in the southeastern portion of Negros Island, Visayas, Philippines. Surrounded on the north and west by its neighboring province, Negros Occidental; the province is a breathtaking mix of culture and modernization. Dumaguete City is the capitol of Negros Oriental. The government is also located in the capitol area of the City. The province is divided from Cebu Island by the Tañon Strait. Siquijor Island and the dive paradise of Apo Island lay also to the east. The northern parts of Mindanao can be seen in good conditions from the south of Negros Oriental.

Images around Cuernos de Negros

Mt. Talinis or Cuernos de Negros mountain range in Negros Oriental, Visayas region of Philippines, has been identified as a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) spanning 23, 565 hectares covering the municipalities of San Jose, Sibulan, Dauin, Zamboanguita, Siaton, Sta. Catalina, Pamplona, Amlan and Valencia. It has been identified as one of the top on the list of conservation priority areas due to its high indigenousness and severity of threats. Old growth forest still surrounds the peak and lakes covering an area of about 4800 hectares. About 3000 hectares is classified as close natural forest while about 1800 hectares is secondary natural forest. This remaining forest patch is not only a habitat to wildlife but also serves as water source for the entire southern part of Negros. This mountain is not only home to rich biodiversity of flora and fauna with high indigenousness but it is also an identified watershed providing water to about 15 municipalities and cities in the southern part of Negros Oriental. It is the remaining 1% natural forest of Negros Oriental, the islands’ last frontier.

Cuernos de Negros/Mount Talinis is known for having the highest peak in the province of Negros Oriental. Mount Talinis is one of Negros Oriental’s most visited places for those who love nature and for the avid mountain climbers who can harbour a serious passion for what they do. Mount Talinis rises 1864 metres above sea level and is located in Valencia in Negros Oriental. On some hillsides found near Mount Talinis, agricultural has been developed and other areas have been cleared for such purpose. Near Mount Talinis you will find a few small crater lakes at its base called twin lakes of Balinsasayao and Lake Danao. You will also find forests and ranges that are still covered with moss and moss-covered slopes. When you reach the top of the mountain you will see a breathtaking view of the southeastern portion of the Province of Negros Oriental.

One of the most visited area in Negros Oriental are the Twin Lakes of Sibulan. It is composed of two small but deep fresh water lakes called Lake Balinsasayao and Lake Danao. On a clear day, the blue of the sky is reflected in the water of the Twin Lakes, giving a perfect atmosphere for relaxation. The lakes are embraced on all sides by narrow mountains thick with exotic plant-life. When mist obscures the mountains, the area looks like something out of a fairytale or legend. Just like traveling to a mystical land in a story, getting to the Twin Lakes is something of an adventure. Once a visitor arrives, the relaxing atmosphere will wash away any unwanted stress.

Cuernos de Negros (literally mean “Horns of Negros”/locally as Mount Talinis, also known as Magaso) is a large stratovolcano complex that anchors the southeast tip of the Negros Island, central Visayas region, Philippines. The eastern side of the complex consists of two stratovolcanoes and a lava dome; two crater lakes up to 1.5 km in diameter are present. The lower western part of the complex contains four volcanic centres. The small summit crater of Magaso, the highest peak of the complex, rises above the city of Dumaguete and contains fumaroles (an opening in or near a volcano, through which hot sulphurous gases emerge) where two sulfuric springs are found on the east of southeastern flank, with hot springs on the northeast flank.

Accomodations

References:

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von Biedersee H, Pichler H, 1995. The Canlaon and its neighbouring volcanoes in the Negros Belt/Philippines. J Southeast Asian Earth Sci, 11: 111-123.