Antipolo City Philippines

Antipolo City is rich in natural attractions.

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 area of 38,575.04 hectares, the second largest town next to Rodriguez in Rizal province. Antipolo is divided into two districts, which are further 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, jeepneys, shuttle buses and tricycles are the means of transportation which interconnect the city's 16 barangays.

Filipino and English are widely spoken and understood by the residents. The telecommunication is provided by the country's largest telecommunication system and over 100 internet cafes serve access to electronic mails and websites.

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) gained legions of devotees coming from Manila and the neighboring towns and provinces.

According to historians, this miraculous icon saved her galleon in going back and forth from Manila to Acapulco for eight times, thus saving it from the destruction of pirates and Dutch and British blockades. The month of May is the fiesta of Antipolo, when 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. This church was destroyed during the World War II. Inside the remnant is a small chapel built to offer Sunday masses to the parishioners.

Visitors can get an energetic lift after the tiring spiritual cleansing at the White Cross by splashing at the Hinulugang Taktak Falls. This is Antipolo's natural and cultural heritage. Hinulugang Taktak means "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 give one a sense of mysticism in the caverns. A natural rock formation of stalagmites and stalactites 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.

Antipolo City has the Butterfly Garden, the PACEM Eco Park, is a unique garden with live butterflies. The young guests will be thrilled by the fluttering of butterflies that settle on hands, heads and shoulders. This park also features a mini-zoo, herbal garden, and a museum of seashells, butterflies, and moths collected form around the world.