Malumpati Springs and Rainforest
Nestled in the northern part of Antique, Pandan boasts of its one-of-a-kind eco-tourism attraction. Here is a list of some interesting and extraordinary adventures and trails that the town may offer.
A Glance to Bugang River
Getting a lot of attention, both national and international, Bugang River takes pride for winning the President’s Award for Environment “Gawad Pangulo sa Kapaligiran” as the cleanest inland body of water in the Philippines. People of Pandan are very proud to present this lovely beauty of nature by facilitating a better understanding of the local customs, traditions, practices, and beliefs of their community. Bugang River also offers a good destination for adventures like rafting, boating, and trekking.
Malumpati Springs and Rainforest
Known to be one of the largest vertical springs in the world, Malumpati Springs and Rainforest is an ideal place for those who would like to empathize with nature. The pond is about 10 meters in diameter and 40 meters deep. Many families spend their free time here and enjoy a lot of exciting activity in the site. The nature around invites you to explore on a short walk. One may also do spelunking in a cave with an altar where, some people believe, supernaturals pray.
Malumpati Watershed and Forest
The forest is a home of the most endangered hornbills in the world, the “Visayan Writhed-billed Hornbill” (Aceros waldeni), locally known as the “Dulungan,” and also the “Visayan Tarictic Hornbill” (Penelopides panini), locally known as “Tirik”. It also has the presence of rare butterflies and some endemic bird species.
Miraculous Rosa Mystica Shrine
The shrine was made known after a vision revealing the area’s sacrality. A spring located nearby is believed to be miraculous. Established along the Quibacan River, the Rosa Mystica Shrine is often visited by religious groups from nearby municipalities. Part of it is the 14 Stations of the Cross along the way going to the shrine, which makes the place ideal for hiking.
The Trek to Mab-o Mountain
Located at Barangay Mag-aba, Mab-o Mountain is an ideal hiking destination for many mountaineers. With an elevation of 475 meters above sea level, it has been scaled by local mountain climbers. From Malumpati, it is about two hours' hike. The site is believed to be the place where the legendary Tumaca together with his tribesmen lived. This same place was where Tumaca lived with Maria Kastila, the wife of Governor General Fuentes whom he abducted. At present, a big oyster shell is found in this mountain which people believe has been the bathing tub of Maria Kastila.
Many tourists visit the site to witness the nearby pygmy forest as well as the Tumaca’s legendary giant clamshell in the mountain.
Whale Shark Watching
Every year in Barangay Mag-aba and Patria, from December to May, whale sharks are frequently found by fisherfolks usually inside their fishing net. The good thing is they never harm these creatures but rather release them back to the sea. The funny thing is that once the whale gets inside the fishing nets, the fisherfolks get nothing of their catch.
Archeological Expedition Site in Manlonggong
The archeological excavation in Sitio Manlonggong, Barangay Guia, is a site where pieces of Ming Chinese jars and jarlets were unearthed in 1980s. It is reported that one of the jars displayed in the National Museum was excavated in Barangay Guia, Pandan, Antique.
Mampa of Pisak
Feel the mysteries lurking from moss-covered boulders to the crystal water running around the bends. The waterfall cascading some 400 meters down to Antagusan River, known to the natives as Mampa of Pisak, is a hidden deep amidst the hills of surrounding Barangays of Badiangan, Perfecta, and Aracay. It is a challenging and hard climb, with three hours of trekking from Idiacacan River towards the direction of Aracay.