Palaopao Mountains of Sumilao, Bukidnon
Palaopao Mountains is situated in the mountains of Bukidnon. It is located at the latitude and longitude coordinates of 8.316667 and 124.916667. The location is not very densely populated with 46 people per square kilometers. The nearest large town of about 50,000 or more inhabitants takes 242 minutes by local transportation. Palaopao Mountains has a humid (> 0.65 p/pet) climate. The land area is not cultivated, most of the natural vegetation is still intact. The landscape is mostly covered with rain fed croplands. The climate is classified as a tropical wet (no dry season) with a subtropical moist forest biozone . The soil in the area is high in nitosols, andosols (nt), soil with deep, clay-enriched lower horizon with shiny surfaces.
Stretching along the border of the Municipality of Sumilao and Municipality of Manolo Fortich from the northeast, Palaopao Mountains rises 836 feet above sea level. The top was once covered with virgin forest while the side contains numerous caves, rock shelters and limestones overhangs contain wooden coffin and artifacts which designs are traced back during the metal age. The place is used as burial ground during the 19th century.
Palaopao Mountains can be found in the Municipality of Sumilao, Bukidnon. The word “Sumilao” got its name from a Bukidnon phrase “Kon sumilaw da” which literally means “When light comes again”. It has been said that there once lived a man named Walu who possessed mystical powers. Lots of people believed that he lives somewhere in Kilabong, a place near Palaopao Mountains. There was a time when seven “baylan” (spiritual leaders who possessed supernatural powers) who were living at the plain below made-up humiliating stories against Walu. This enraged him. Standing on the Palaopao Mountains, Walu shouted at the top of his voice and pointed to the seven baylan rebuking them for their wicked intentions. At this time, a bright and glaring light emitted from the tip of the pointing finger of Walu and the seven baylan were blinded. It was said that their vision will be restored when the same light will appear again.
