Boso Boso old church

 

One of the most visited place in Tanay is the old Boso Boso church that was built in 1669. It survived the test of time it was destroyed during the Japanese occupation and was restored in 1995. Going there is to go through Marilaque highway.  

Then passing through the entrance going to Boso Boso road, during the time we went there several road constructions has been ongoing . 

The church is roughly 1 to 2 km from the main highway.

You can feel the rich history of the place, a local told me that the church is a frequently visited by tourists.

Food vendors are found within the vicinity

So when in Antipolo, try to visit this old historic church. 

Hinulugang Taktak

One of Antipolo's iconic destinations, the curiosity brought about by how it derive its name, ("taktak" pertains to a bell that was thrown "hinulog" into it), and it being included in the song "Tayo na sa Antipolo") took me to this place.It is about 1.7 kilometers from the Antipolo Cathedral and can be  accessed through the Taktak road.  This was how it looked like when we arrived at the spot. This recreationalarea has been under rehabilitation for years and due to the oils spill in 2015.

The government exerted extra effort to protect and restore this important piece of history.It was evident though that there were problems with the trash and nearby waterways but the falls itself was a sight to behold. It will definitely take years to totally restore it to how magnificent it was before. 

The overall area is nice but not as spectacular and I'm hoping for better improvements in the years to come. The water still have this pungent odor and I think that's the biggest problem they have to deal with. I also wish that, aside from being in awe with the sight of the raging falls, it will be a great idea to put other activities in for children and adults to enjoy. As for now, it is still worth the visit as still is one of the most peaceful and relaxing place I have ever been, a wonderful oasis in Antipolo. 

Daranak falls in Tanay Rizal

Rizal province has been known for spectacular attractions and leisure activities ready for their guests to ; an adventure they will never forget. And since it's just 20 kilometers away from Manila, local and foreign visitors alike would flock the array of nature spots in Rizal. They have an an art museum for art enthusiasts, enigmatic caves, historical dams, and amazing falls. One of them is this famous Daranak Falls.

Daranak Falls is positioned at the foot of Tanay mountains. It is surrounded by lush vegetation and cascading rivers and ponds. Entrance fee is P50.00 (as seen above) and they offer picnic sheds and picnic tables for family gatherings and barbecue get-together parties.

You can take a dip, swim and bond with your family and friends in their majestic waterfalls. For nature photo enthusiasts, there is a trail that leads to another waterfall. This is where the Filipino sitcom "Okay Ka Fairy Ko" had their shoots for their program. 

They have a small canteen inside where you can buy food but it's better (and cheaper I think, specially for groups) to just bring their own food.

When you need a quick getaway, have a cool dip to save you from the heat, or to simply have a chill time, I'd still say Daranak Falls is one of the nice places to go.

Calinawan cave

Located in Tandang Katyo of Tanay, Rizal Calinawan Cave is a natural multi-layered cave that was said to have been discovered in 1901. It had served as a shelter of guerilla warriors during the Philippine-American War and the Japanese during World War II. 

The passageway through the cave was narrow and the caving system has 7 layers. The first 2 layers is the "Easy Trail", a 150 meter walk while the 3-5 layers, are the "Hard Trail", and will involve a lot of crawling. The 6-7 layers would be difficult to traverse, and takes about 7 days to finish; they are permanently inaccessible, from when the tunnels were bombed by Japanese soldiers. These trails lead to Montalban, Rizal. Its name is derived from the word "linaw", meaning clear, as apt as to what took place in history because it's the place where the Japanese and the Americans settled their disputes. 

The entrance fee costs 40 pesos while it will take another 200 pesos for tour guide. It was a challenge to take a hike on these trails, the sight of the stalactites and stalagmites are something to look forward to; Having a tour guide is also helpful as it will give you a deeper insights on the rich history that happened in this cave. They also explained how the stalactites and stalagmites are formed. The natural reserve and the mystery inside a cave as enormous are one of the wonders in the history of our country that has left a trail that we can take a peek to from time to time. 

Antipolo Cathedral

The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of Antipolo, commonly called as Antipolo Cathedral, had been our next itinerary in our road adventure in Rizal. Clad with its rich heritage, this church is more than 450 years old!

What makes it so special is that it is the first church erected in Antipolo, it is also the home of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage; the reason why Antipolo has been known as the pilgrimage city. They say the virgin mother blesses you with safe travels. OFW's and tourists as well as locals take time to pay a visit, specially during Christmas, where you can totally feel the holiday spirit during the mass.  

You will be left mesmerized by the  history of place. Try and climb the stairs at the back to reach the statue of Our Lady, it brings total peace and serenity to every pilgrim. And as you back home, never forget to buy their delicacies!  Talk about suman, kasoy, and kalamay, all available in the small stores nearby. This church is a must visit every time in this city.  A place of meditation, reflection and offered prayers for guidance and safety, if you're going on a long trip!