Manduyog Hill: A devout witness to Akeanon piety

by: Lovella Chris Palma

The scent of candle fills the air. The murmurs of silent prayers and pious songs can be heard through the thick forest. As the season of Lent approaches, a majestic hill stands proud. The religious devotees approach its foot for a spiritual 500-foot climb.

The Manduyog Hill, located inside the campus of Aklan State University in Banga, Aklan, is the destination of most Akeanon people, especially the Banganhons during Lent. The 750-meter road carved at its hillside displays life-size effigy of the fourteen Stations of the Cross. At the summit, a chapel stood to receive the tourists and pilgrims, alike. A towering white cross rise at its peak can be seen from the highway of the town. The cross overlooks the breathtaking views of the countryside: The Aklan River, the coast, the towns, the highway, the pasturelands and the sprawling rice fields of the town.

The hill was named after the fraudulent grapevine tale of Datu Manduyog who was the successor of the lawgiver, Kalantiaw III. In 1213, some Bornean people arrived in the Philippines to settle in the land, which they called Minuro it Akean. By that time, the Capiz province was still part of Aklan. The capital of the town was changed several times by the command of its rulers. Towards the end of 14th century Datu Dinagandan moved the capital to the present site of Batan.

The short-lived Kalantiaw dynasty ended when Kalantiaw III was slain in a duel with Datu Manduyog , the legitimate successor of Datu Dangandan. When Datu Manduyog became the new ruler, he moved the capital to Bakan (Banga) in1437.

According to the St. Joseph Parish of Banga, Aklan, Manduyog Hill’s fourteen Stations of the Cross were used in the lent season for the celebration of the Via Cruses (the way of the cross). This is a catholic devotion depicting the suffering and pain that Jesus Christ had experience in his way to Mt. Calvary to be crucified in redemption of the sins of man. Each station would remind devotees of Jesus’ hardships thus a prayer is uttered in each.

“I have been climbing Manduyog Hill ever since I got to Aklan, it’s been a tradition in the family to celebrate the Lent in a very solemn manner”, Elena dela Cruz, devotee.

“Climbing Manduyog Hill every Lent season is my is my of surrendering to God. Every step I take is a way for me to experience myself what Jesus had experienced while carrying His cross to Mt. Calvary”, Angelie Latap, BSN Graduate.

“I come to Manduyog during Lent season to experience the rush of seeing so many people gathered around and climbing the steep road to the top. When it’s not Lent season, I like climbing up there to see the beauty that nature has to offer, being up there makes me feel like I’m at the top of the world”, Richelle dela Cruz, BSHT student, ASU.

Aklan is the oldest province in the Philippines attested by its rich heritage and culture; from the Ati-atihan Festival of Kalibo, to the beautiful craftsmanship of the piña cloth and native products, to the sweet tropical fruits such as rambutan and lanzones that abound the province, to the crispy “Ampaw” or pop rice which is a delicacy of Akeanons.

Whether it’s for leisure or nature trip, for devotion or piety, the Manduyog hill of Banga, Aklan is a witness not only to the undying pilgrimage and Christianity of the Filipinos but to the vast history and culture of the whole nation./WVE