Rediscovering Antipolo (Rizal)

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Rediscovering Antipolo
By Paul John Caña

According to a recent study, the province of Rizal, mad Manila’s next-door neighbor to the east is, believe it or not, the least poor province in the country. With a poverty incidence rate of 3.4%, even lower than the nation’s capital, Rizal is fast becoming a playground of the rich and richer. Of course, residents of the Metro will all have our Antipolo stories: genuflecting inside the Church of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage along with several thousand other pilgrims during visita iglesia, getting smashed in one of the countless watering holes that line the road going up to the city proper, or getting wet in the fabled falls called Hinulugang Taktak. If you haven’t traversed the long and winding (Sumulong) Road up to Antipolo in a while, fill up your gas tank and spend a day exploring the abundant treasures in this province named after our beloved national hero.

If you decide to go up on a Sunday, it’s a good idea to start your trip by hearing mass or at least praying in one of the churches there. While the cathedral in Antipolo City proper is an obvious choice, the church located in Sitio Boso Boso (said to be the oldest church in the city) is a quaint and refreshing alternative. Marvel at the old stone façade and feel a sense of history as you quietly reflect on your own thoughts inside the chapel.

For lunch, if you’re up for something different, make your way to Crescent Moon Café. Tucked away in a secluded spot in Barangay Dalig, the restaurant offers Southeast Asian-inspired cuisine that teases the palate as much as it satisfies the stomach. But before you sink your teeth into their delectable treats, you can wander around in the property, where there are ponds with fat koi fish, exotic plants and the stoneware studio of renowned potter Lanelle Abueva Fernando. When you’re ready to sit down and eat, the courteous waitstaff will gladly call out to you. The appetizer alone of stuff-your-own alagao leaves (with chopped ginger, onions, shrimp, coconut flakes, etc. in a cashew honey sauce) is a guaranteed winner. A full set meal at Crescent Moon, which includes pumpkin soup, chicken curry, Asian noodles, native vegetables, fried fish and the oh-so-yummy special suman, costs around P400 per head. Definitely worth every single penny.

A relaxing siesta sounds perfect after that heavenly meal. But how about something better? At the Spa of Callos Farm Resort, a luxurious pampering awaits those seeking the ultimate in hedonistic thrills. For just P650, surrender to the sheer comfort and bliss of a hydromassage, sauna bath, and a combination Swedish-reflex and Thai massage. Relaxation, thy name is Callos.

However, if you’re looking for some more sightseeing, ditch the spa treatment and head off instead to the PACEM Eco-Park located inside Assumption Antipolo along Sumulong Highway. Butterfly enthusiasts will love this sanctuary for the winged insects, while those with a preference for other wildlife can check out the mini-zoo that houses eagles, doves, deer and various other animals.

If you have some time before the sun sinks below the horizon, a visit to the Casa Santa Museum is highly recommended. Located in Jardin De Miramar, which houses the art of such big names as Michael Cancio and Eduardo Castrillo, the museum contains a spectacular collection of over 2,000 images and sculptures of Jolly Old St. Nick. Whether you’ve been naughty or nice, or simply have a hankering for something Christmas-y in the middle of June, Casa Santa is just the place to visit.

Of course, no visit to Antipolo would be complete without admiring the stunning view of the city and its constellation of artificial lights at nighttime, with a cold drink in hand. If you’re with a special someone, dinner at Vieux Chalet, the well-known Swiss-Pinoy restaurant is guaranteed to re-ignite the fires of romance between you two. But if you’re with your barkada or family of six, including the driver and the help, pick any of the bars that line the Sumulong Highway and ask for a table with the best view. You can toast the day and wonder where all that time went. Adventure-seekers may whine that Antipolo’s too close to the city to offer any real thrills, but that’s exactly why it’s the perfect place to discover new things and “get away from it all” but still have enough time to drive back to the unequalled comforts of home at the end of a very long day.


Useful information if you’re planning a trip to Antipolo:

The Crescent Moon Café
Ascension Road, Brgy. Dalig, Antipolo City
(63 2) 630 5854 / 636 3866
(63 917) 523 2356

PACEM Eco Park
Sumulong Highway, Antipolo City
(63 2) 696 3274 / 697 2354

Callos Spa
Marigman St. Nazarene Ville, Antipolo City
(63 2) 650 7889

Vieux Chalet
Taktak Road, Antipolo City
Tel: (63 2) 697 0396
Mobile: (63 917) 856 5175
Email: vieuxchalet@yahoo.com

Casa Santa
276 San Jose Extension, Brgy. San Isidro, Antipolo City
(63 2) 817 1591/ (63 917) 792 3915 / (63 922) 892 3917
miramar@globenet.com.ph
www.miramar.com.ph