11/09/2025
LOOK: SIERRA MADRE — THE SHIELD AGAINST SUPERTYPHOON UWAN
The Sierra Madre once again stands as Luzon’s first line of defense. Sitting on the steep flanks of northeastern Luzon, this mountain range helps weaken Super Typhoon Uwan as it crosses land, reducing wind exposure and rainfall downstream.
⛰️ Geological History
Formed about 20 million years ago through the movement of the Pacific Plate, the Sierra Madre stretches along the eastern spine of Luzon—from Cagayan in the north to Quezon in the south. It is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, shaping both the island’s terrain and its resilience.
🧔 Human History
For thousands of years, the Sierra Madre has been home to Indigenous groups such as the Agta, who have lived there for nearly 35,000 years, and the Remontados, who sought refuge in its forests during Spanish colonization. Their lives remain deeply connected to the mountains’ ecology and spirit.
🌐 Modern History
In the 1990s, parts of the range were declared protected areas, including the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park, preserving its biodiversity. While “Sierra Madre” is also the name of a World War II-era U.S. Navy ship beached in the West Philippine Sea, the two share only a name.
🏞️ Environmental History
Once the largest rainforest in the Philippines, Sierra Madre’s forests have been reduced by logging and hunting. Still, it remains a biodiversity hotspot and a vital natural shield that protects millions of Filipinos from Pacific-born storms like Uwan.
