Mount Lantoy

Mount Lantoy
Mount Lantoy Location within the Philippines
Highest point
Elevation	593 m (1,946 ft)
Coordinates	9°59′00″N 123°33′11″E / 9.98333°N 123.55306°E / 9.98333; 123.55306Coordinates: 9°59′00″N 123°33′11″E / 9.98333°N 123.55306°E / 9.98333; 123.55306
Geography
Location	Cebu Island
Country	Philippines
Region	Central Visayas
Province	Cebu

Mount Lantoy is a 593-metre (1,946 ft) mountain located 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) inland from the municipality of Argao, Cebu in the Philippines.

Mt. Lantoy was declared as a watershed forest reserve by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 414 on June 29, 1994. The initial 7,265-hectare (17,950-acre) protected area was reduced in December 2006 via a new Executive Order issued by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, reducing the watershed reserve area coverage to 3,000 hectares (7,400 acres).

In Philippine mythology, Mount Lantoy is said to be the domain of Maria Cacao, a diwata who lives in a cave in the mountain. Outside her cave grow numerous cacao trees, which are said to be her plantation. After harvest time come rains that wash down the mountain, enabling Maria Cacao to float down to the towns below in her golden ship to sell her products.