Mount Arayat

Mount Arayat is an isolated, potentially active stratovolcano in the Central Luzon plains. Located within the vast agricultural lands of Pampanga, it rises to a height of 1,033 metres (3,389 ft) above sea level. Its southern half lies within the municipality of Arayat, while its northern half and summit are in Magalang. ten km (6.2 miles) to the west of Mount Arayat is Angeles City and the former Clark Air Base. The active volcano Mount Pinatubo is located 26 km (16 mi) west, while Manila is located 75 km (47 mi) to the south. Mount Arayat was officially declared a national park in 1933 and a tourist spot in 1997. The mountain is currently under an immense deforestation threat.

Mount Arayat has a breached crater on its northwest side with a smaller andesitic dome in the collapse amphitheater. There are historical records of eruption in Arayat and the only dated rocks are 530- and 650-thousand-year-old basalts predating the collapse and formation of the lava dome. However, weak steam activity is currently present at some of the heavily eroded vents on the northwestern face of the summit. Additionally an analysis report indicates that the volcano erupted over the last 2,000 years, but it is believed to refer to its volcanic activity.

Mount Arayat is considered mystical in ancient Kapampangan folklore as the legendary home of the ancient deity Aung/Aring Sinukuan/Sinkuan/Suku, or the diwata (female nature spirit) María Sinukuan. According to research gathered by Kapampangan students of Henry Otley Beyer, the mountain was the abode of Apung/Aring Sinukuan, rival of the deity Apung Namalyari on Mount Pinatubo.