Andrew Feliciano: Antipolo, Rizal

Antipolo, Rizal

"A quick budget getaway near Metro Manila"

"Kung Hei Fat Choi" long weekend getaway. Antipolo is situated in the province of Rizal, 30 minutes drive from Metro Manila in an ordinary traffic. I really don't know why Antipolo was never been the first option of people to visit in near Metro Manila, people rather go to Tagaytay or Batangas for their quick relaxation getaway from polluted and stressful Manila. What people don't know is there are several places to visit in Antipolo. You can drop by in their cathedral, museums, the so-called famous Hinulugang Taktak from the song "Tayo na sa Antipolo. . " and some places that I wasn't able to visit in. There is also a lot of food choices and attractions such as spa and farm resort that has been on my list in my next visit to Antipolo. To top it all, it is only near Metro Manila and UV Express are available anytime in Cubao.

If you are considering your budget, you can have a budget of P650.00 (starting in a bus trip from Pampanga) and can enjoy the raw charm that Antipolo can offer. I also admire the transportation system in Antipolo. It just so convenient for those who travel by two or three that tricycle are available anywhere, the P50.00 UV express service is just so reasonable.
Places to Visit:
Antipolo Cathedral
Hinulugang Taktak
Pinto Art Museum

Itinerary:

1:30pm - Arrival in Antipolo Cathedral

2:00pm - Late Lunch near Antipolo Cathedral

2:00pm - Pinto Art Museum/Pinto Art Gallery

4:00pm - Hinulugang Taktak

Expenses:

P80.00 - Pampanga to Manila

-------- - Recto to Santolan (c/o beep card)

P50.00 - Manila to Antipolo

P80.00 - Fastfood Lunch

P20.00 - Antipolo Cathedral to Pinto Art Museum (P60.00 / 3)

P100.00 - Pinto Art Museum Entrance

P20.00 - Pinto Art Museum to Hinulugang Taktak (P60.00 / 3)

P20.00 - Hinulugang Taktak to Antipolo Cathedral (P60.00 / 3)

P100.00 - Suman for Pasalubong with free Rosary

P50.00 - Antipolo to Manila

P25.00 - Cubao to Monumento

P80.00 - Monumento to Pampanga

Total Expenses: P625.00

For those who came straight from Pampanga, Ride a bus that will take you to Avenida, from Avenida, Recto ride the LRT line 2 going to Santolan Station. From Santolan Station ride the UV Express going to Antipolo. You can also take a bus going to Araneta Center Cubao(Araneta Center Station) there are also UV Express in Araneta Center near the Coliseum. The UV express will stop near the Antipolo Cathedral.

From Cubao to Pampanga, you will be drop at araneta center just ride a bus with a sign Letre or Monumento and tell the conductor to drop you at overpass going to Monumento or Victory Mall. You can ride Victory Liner bus bound for Olongapo they are doing stops in Robinsons or Intersection. It is more convenient to take a bus in Monumento than in Cubao.

If you still have questions regarding the transportation system in Antipolo or in Manila, don't hesitate to drop your questions at form sa pagcontact or DM in Instagram and I will answer it in the best of my knowledge.

Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage; Antipolo Cathedral

Since you will be drop near antipolo cathedral, this will be your first destination. We was not able to attend the mass because as we arrive, the Baptism rights is ongoing and the funeral are also everywhere. We visited the church and appreciate the beauty of the cathedral.

Just what the other blogs I read, the people who give rosary are bit disappointing. Tho I already expect those who do that. If you don't know what I mean, this is the scenario as you go outside the church: "Sir, sir, Libre lang po bigay lang (necklace and rosary) we rejected her offer but they continue to give the rosary nang libre daw. Then if you will get it they will ask for that donation of P40.00 Sa lahat ng donation yun yun may price" Then she will even change her tone of voice to paawa effect and tell that tulong mo na lang yan sa akin" I ask myself, rather than doing that annoying stuffs why not they just sell suman or cashew nuts. They are a bit disappointing.

Pasalubong center is also near the Antipolo Cathedral cashew nuts and suman are everywhere. Before you buy, ask for free taste(sayang eh) on both! I think you will get a big time discount if you will buy in bulk. There is this one store near a restaurant on the opposite side of VMall and Church near the restaurant with sign crispy pata and sisig near KFC they gave me a free rosary that I really really appreciate even tho I only brought worth P100.00 of suman (I forgot to take photo, uwing uwi na kame)

Hinulugang Taktak

After our visit to Pinto Art Museum, We decided to go to Hinulugang Taktak. Just ask the guard in front of museum that you will need tricycle and he will call someone for you. Travel time from museum to Hinulugang Taktak is roughly 15mins, i think a tricycle can fit up to 4 persons. The road going back to city proper is not easy. The road is uphill which I think the main reason why its a bit expensive (damang-dama mo na hirap yung tryk, nag-cross finger pa ako baka d kame umabot sa taas. Haha)

There is no entrance fee for this falls but you need to register before going down. If you will bring food, bring back also your trash or else you will be ask for a fine. I heard stories that this attraction was closed before because of those trash that people throw in the falls. Sayang naman!

Disclaimer: Walang tripod to. Pasmadong kamay ko lang ang gamit ko! Haha Sa wakas na perfect ko rin ang falls shot!

I believe that no entrance fee is not a good idea. I was amaze with the beauty of Hinulugang Taktak, as a tourist/local visiting this park, I am very much willing to pay P20.00 or any certain amount for its maintenance and improvement. If only the government will utilize the benefit of this park by continuously improving and adding other attractions, don't have any idea on what they can do but If they will just give a shot for this park, I think Antipolo will find its space on the tourism industry of the Philippine.

Hey! Libre na nga may reklamo pa ako. Haha I just want to acknowledge the local government of Antipolo by giving us this experience for free without sacrificing the charm of this falls.

Open Daily 8:00am-5:00pm