"The City of Antipolo: I wanted to live here!" Antipolo by nixca316

Antipolo Travel Guide: 13 reviews and 62 photos

FACTS....FACTS....FACTS...FACTS (there's no copyright on facts)

The City of Antipolo lies approximately 29.30 km. East of Manila and is bounded on the North by the town of Montalban, on the Northwest by the town of Marikina and San Mateo, on the East Province of Quezon, on the southeast by the towns of Tanay, Teresa and on the southwest by the Town of Taytay and Cainta. It is about 10 km. North to South and about 20 km. From east to west.

PERSONAL...PERSONAL...PERSONAL

Parañaque versus Antipolo

When prices were very low my dad and mom were able to buy some properties. He was offered a very low priced New Alabang Village (now Ayala Alabang) prime lot, but he refused it (regretted it years later). He bought three Metro Manila lots (all still existing: One in Makati, one in Parañaque and one in Antipolo).

Dad was so excited. He wanted to build his dream house for his family as early as possible even while living in Camp Aguinaldo.

I distinctly remember that I was a child of six when my dad showed us two blue prints and two perspectives. I chose the one that said Antipolo on it because the "drawing" was prettier. When we visited the site, I told myself, "This is the place!" It reminded me so much of Monterey.

Monterey was MY HOME and somehow, living in Antipolo would lessen my HOMESICKNESS, so I thought.

I had a fit when my family chose Parañaque. The place was filled with long cogon grasses and there were very few houses. It was so primitive. Dad reasoned that once we get the lot beside us, we'll have a garden and pool (up to now the owner of the lot beside us doesn't want to sell...I was actually the one who was going to purchase that lot because I felt I was going to be the "Parañaque girl for life", but now I guess it's going to be my nephew's---I'll get the Makati property, I guess) etcetera.

Anyhow, even if I don't regret the family choice decades later, I still wonder what life would have been if we grew up there. Of course, I would've studied in different schools, my friends would'nt be my friends, etcetera, etcetera.

When we visited Antipolo during my birthday last Friday (March 16) I found out that Antipolo is still very much laid back, but there are lots of places to visit.

There's still the Eagle's Nest where my friends and I stay from late at night to morning light, the different resorts, the different lodging places, of course, there's the shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, bargain places, different sport centers, etcetera, etcetera.

I celebrated my birthday with a Pilgrimage

Every year, since 1996, whether I had a boyfriend or not, I always sulked for a month during my birthday. Why? Because when I was in my teens, everyone that wasn't married after 25 was an OLD MAID or the milder term, a spinster.

There were times after 1996 that my birthday month was the month that I left the country or at least the island of Luzon to hibernate or something.

This year, because we had to pay our taxes for our property there anyway, I chose to celebrate it in Antipolo.

Of course, I passed by the shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage to pray, which is conveniently beside the Antipolo City Hall, then we ate at Iskatis Point (which is obviously a direct of competitor of Padi's Point), dropped by Valley Golf, then The Old Spaghetti House.

In toto, it was a fun day!

Bamboos for sale!

There are lots of products available in Antipolo, but besides their famous cashews and suman sa ibos (steamed glutinous rice wrapped in leaves), there are lots of bamboos for sale at the Sumulong Highway. =)

Pros and Cons

Pros:close to the metropolis, close to nature, close to God
Cons:if you like fast paced living, it's very slow paced here
In a nutshell:A place where you can relax, enjoy good food and commune with nature

Last visit to Antipolo: Mar 2007
Intro Updated Jun 17, 2012
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Reviews (8)

Big, beautiful, and clean rooms - Antipolo

Big, beautiful, and clean rooms Hotels (2)

We were lucky to have been able to stay here for a few hours. Our friends got married somewhere near and this was where... more travel advice

Refreshing drinks, good food, good view - Antipolo

Refreshing drinks, good food, good view Restaurants (3)

I think I overuse the word cozy, but it's really a cozy little place where you can hang out with a loved one, your... more travel advice

Cool breeze, pine trees, lily pads & serenity - Antipolo

Cool breeze, pine trees, lily pads &... Hotels (2)

This is haven is very near Metro Manila with lush greens and fresh air. Artists love to go here to paint. Families love... more travel advice

Enjoy! Nightlife (1)

(yes, all my pictures are daytime pics, but you can ask around, it's one of the coolest night spots in Antipolo... more travel advice

Things to Do (2)
See All Visit the shrine =)

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Comments (8)

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nixca316 Sep 14, 2012 at 12:31 AM

I hope to update this page soon!
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yellowbell Nov 21, 2008 at 4:25 PM

My mom's side of the family go here every May to make pilgrimage to the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage. Back then, we always kiss the mantle and pray fervently for good grades in school. Btw, love the cashews and kalamay.
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  nixca316 Sep 14, 2012 at 12:29 AM
  
  Thanks. I miss you!
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Jim_Eliason Nov 13, 2008 at 6:02 AM

great page!
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  nixca316 Sep 14, 2012 at 12:29 AM
  
  Thanks! :)
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titabell Apr 18, 2007 at 3:44 AM

Hey Lara! Thanks for your Antipolo page. I used to go there a lot when I was young (100 years ago)and I really miss the Hinulugang Taktak. I also miss the suman with latik. Do they still sell them? Thanks!
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  nixca316 Sep 14, 2012 at 12:30 AM
  
  Thanks, Tita sis! :)
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cachaseiro Apr 7, 2007 at 5:16 PM

nice page. i love places where you can go trekking.
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  nixca316 Sep 14, 2012 at 12:30 AM
  
  Thanks, Claus! :)
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breughel Apr 7, 2007 at 6:00 AM

I wanted to leave the old Europe. Made an imaginary trip to Antipolo. The name sounds good, the place looks nice.
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  nixca316 Sep 14, 2012 at 12:30 AM
  
  Thanks! :)
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dannebro Mar 29, 2007 at 11:19 AM

ah, cashews, I love them !
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  nixca316 Sep 14, 2012 at 12:30 AM
  
  Thanks. I love cashews too!
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namiewa Mar 27, 2007 at 3:56 AM

never been to Antipolo nice Page Lara..see yah this friday..
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  nixca316 Sep 14, 2012 at 12:31 AM
  
  Thanks. It was great to see you...how are you now?