Antipolo City is a city of pilgrims and contemplatives, tourists, traders, artists and artisans.
Situated on the east of Manila, its name came from the Tipolo tree, which grows in that area. It is rich in natural attractions.
Antipolo City Philippines is a part of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range, being a hilly and mountainous area. It has a total land mass of 38,575.04 hectares, the next largest town next to Rodriguez in Rizal province. Antipolo is separated into two districts that are additional subdivided into 16 barangays.
The city is accessible in different routes: (1) from Marikina via Sumulong Highway, (2) from Cubao, Quezon City, via Marcos Highway, and (3) from Cainta/Taytay via Ortigas Extension.
Buses, FX’s, shuttle buses, jeepneys and tricycles are the modes of transportation that connect the city’s 16 barangays.
English and Filipino are commonly spoken and understood by the inhabitants. The telecommunication is supplied by the country’s chief telecommunication system and more than 100 Internet cafes provide access to websites and electronic mails.
Tourism, manufacturing/processing (garments and shoes) for export, “kasuy” or cashew nuts, cement processing, and agriculture (poultry and livestock) are the major industries of the city. The city also has private and public schools.
During the 1720′s, the Virgin of Antipolo/ Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage (Nuestra Senora dela Paz y Buen Viaje) achieved plenty of followers coming from Manila and the nearby towns and provinces. Based on historians, this miraculous icon saved her galleon in going back and forth from Manila to Acapulco for eight times, hence saving it from the devastation of pirates and British and Dutch barriers. The month of May is the fiesta of Antipolo, when thousands upon thousands of devotees pay homage to the virgin.
Antipolo City has plenty of attractions, both natural and man-made, which are particularly enticing to tourists. The Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage is a popular spot where thousands of devotees flock to during the fiesta, especially those who are traveling abroad. The white cross of Pinagmisahan Hills on the highest peak of Kaytikling Road, is also a popular destination during Lent season. To reach the white cross, one has to go through the life-size images of the station of the cross, to contemplate the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Another religious site, the Boso-Boso Church, is an old stone church which stands majestically with wild vines and plants growing on the top of its ruins. During the World War II this church was ruined. Inside the remnant is a small chapel built to offer Sunday masses to the parishioners.
Most visitors can get an energetic lift after the tiring spiritual cleansing at the White Cross by splashing themselves at the Hinulugang Taktak Falls. This is Antipolo’s cultural and natural heritage. Hinulugang Taktak’s meaning i s “the place where the bell was dropped.” The 15th century legend states that the waterfalls is the place where the townspeople dropped the large bell that caused great disturbance whenever it rings at Angelus, which no one could endure. They asked the priest to throw the bell. Thus the place got its name.
The Mystical Caves in Antipolo is where nature meets religion. 205 steps before the opening allows one a sense of mysticism in the caverns. A natural rock formation of stalactites and stalagmites having shapes and faces of religious icons such as the Trinity, Calvary, Holy Spirit, Bell and Madonna and the Child. Humaka Park is a worthwhile stop for the visitors for a tableau depicting the old way of transportation of Antipolenos by way of carrying ladies or their leaders using hamaka or hammocks.
