Tayo na sa Antipolo!

TAYO NA SA ANTIPOLO
AT DOON MALIGO TAYO
SA BATIS NA KUNG TAWAGIN
AY HI.. HI.. HINULUGANG TAKTAK
AT DOON TAYO KUMAIN
NG MANGGA, SUMAN, KASOY AT BALIMBING
KAYA'T MAGMADALI KA
AT TAYO'Y TUTULOY NA SA ANTIPOLO

Who haven't heard of this song? It's about my beloved Antipolo, a town in the Province of Rizal.

Why is Antipolo famous?

• Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage (Nuestra Senora dela Paz Y Buen Viaje) : thousands of devotees, especially those who intends to travel, flock to Antipolo to pay homage to its famous Mother. The whole month of May is considered the Town's fiesta. The eve of April 30 marks the start with an "Alay Lakad" --- a yearly trek wherein the Marian devotees travel on foot from Quiapo to Antipolo to commemorate the transfer of the miraculous image of the Our Lady from Quiapo Church to the Antipolo Cathedral after the liberation of the country from the Japanese invasion .... I remember when we were still teen-agers, we really wanted to join the Alay Lakad but we don't know how since we already live in Antipolo. So what do we do?! we travel first to Junction or Robinson's Galleria or Quiapo Church (depending on how far we think we can walk), then walk all the way home to Antipolo. Weird, isn't it? :)

• Hinulugang Taktak : located at Taktak Road. Its legendary origin dates back to the 15th century when legend has it that the waterfalls was where the townsfolk threw the large bell that caused undue disturbance whenever it was rung at Angelus. Its sound was so loud that the people could not endure it. They demanded that the local priest get rid of the bell. Thus "Hinulugang Taktak", meaning the place where the bell was dropped ... Today, this place has picnic cottages, a swimming pool, artificial paths, and steps to view the waterfalls ... I've only been to this famous waterfalls once. It's sad that some people have abused it. A few years ago, the government tried to restore its beauty. They are still a long way from restoring it to its former grandeur. It's still my dream that someday, the Hinulugang Taktak will return to what it was before. Who knows it might become one of the wonders of the world!

• Boso-Boso Church : The Church is a remnant of a centuries-old church which was destroyed during the Second World War. It stands amidst old stones, wild vines, and plants.

• Pinagmisahan Hill : also known as "The White Cross" and "Via Dolorosa". Especially famous during the Lenten Season. It features life-size Stations of the Cross.

• Mystical Cave : Located at Puting Bato, Brgy. San Luis. There are 205 steps to reach the opening. There are natural rock formations- stalactites and stalagmites of religious icons such as Trinity, Calvary, Holy Spirit, Bell and Madonna and Child. The 8th-floors deep cave attracts not just adventurers and cave lovers, but also education institutions who wants to learn more about stalagmites and stalactites ... I'm embarrassed to admit that I haven't been to this place yet. I've been to Batu Caves in Malaysia but not yet to Mystical Cave which is just in my hometown. Writing this blog made me realize that I better schedule a trip here soon ...

• Mangga (Mango), Suman (Sticky Rice), Kasoy (Cashew Nuts) : A festival was born from these Antipolo products --- it is called SuMaKa Festival. This is celebrated every 1st of May. When people found out that I'm from Antipolo, they can't help themselves but ask "dala ka naman ng kasoy" (can you please bring Cashew Nuts?) .... The Cashew Nuts have also evolved. There are now different flavors like Adobo, which my colleagues from Malaysia love very much!

• Overlooking View : along Sumulong Highway one can have a splendid view of Metro Manila. Restaurants and Bars have been built to better enjoy the view .... During New Year's Eve, seeeeveeeeraaaaal years ago, we would go to Overlooking (or OL as we fondly calls it) and enjoy the fireworks of the metropolis. Every second a fire cracker would light the sky. It was indeed a sight to behold! .... Or at night, on the way home from Cubao, we would often stop and enjoy the lights of the metropolis. They look like little stars! ... Unfortunately, with the worsening pollution, it is not as pretty anymore as before! *sigh*

Where to Stay in Antipolo? Hotels & Resorts ...

• Cristina Villas : Taktak Road Antipolo City. Tel # 632 697 4521. Email - cristinavillas@yahoo.com


• Loreland (DOT accredited) : Colaique, Sitio Ibabaw, Barangay San Roque Antipolo City. Tel # +632 696 0101 to 03 ... http://loreland.com.ph/


• Callos Spa Resort (DOT accredited) : Colaique Antipolo City. Tel # +632 650 7889 / +632 696 5405 ... http://callosparesort.com/spa/


• Overlook Resort & Conference Center : 2/F, J&F Building, Marcos Highway, Masinag, Antipolo City. Tel # +632 696 0054 / +632 696 0240 ... http://www.overlookresortel.com/


• Marabella Palace Resort : Colaique, Brgy. San Roque, Antipolo City . Tel # +632 695 1760 /+632 696 5422


• Seven Suites Hotel Observatory : Hollywood Hills Subd Sumulong Highway Antipolo City. Tel # +632 682 0330 /+632 682 2076 ... http://www.sevensuites.net/


• Bosay Resort : Near Galang/Roco Farm Marigman Road, Brgy. San Roque, Antipolo City. Tel # +632 639 2943 / +632 695 1807 ... http://www.bosayresort.com/

... A little bit of history : How Antipolo got its name?

The original statue of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage was carved and blessed in Acapulco, Mexico. From there the new Governor General of the Philippines took it to Manila in 1626 aboard the El Almirante, where it was placed in the Jesuit church of San Ignacio. Upon the governor's death, the Jesuits became the custodians of the statue. It was then taken to Santa Cruz by the new pastor of that region. According to tradition, the statue disappeared at least twice from the church, and each time was found in the branches of a tipulo (breadfruit) tree. A church was built near the site and the tree was cut down and made into a pedestal for "The Brown Virgin." The name tipulo prefixed by the Tagalog article "ang" (the) forms the name "Antipolo."