Antipolo

Antipolo is a city in Rizal Province, Philippines. Sitting above a plateau above sea level, Antipolo is a respite from Manila's chaos, allowing a scenic view of an otherwise crowded and bustling metropolis.

Understand
While Pasig remains the de jure capital of Rizal (despite being separated from the province to become part of Metro Manila in the 1970s, and the provincial government center there redeveloped into a lifestyle strip), Antipolo is the de facto capital of the province, and despite what the law says, the provincial capital has been relocated into this city since 2009. Antipolo is planned to be converted into an independent city, but a plebiscite has not been held to completely ratify its autonomy from the rest of Rizal. Even when a vote occurs, the city will remains part of Rizal practically for travel purposes.

Most visitors go to Antipolo for pilgrimage as the city's cathedral houses the image of the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage (Spanish: Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buen Viaje, Tagalog: Birhen ng Kapayapaan at Magandang Paglalakbay). There is continuing local following; devotees to the Marian image customarily undertake a trek, Alay Lakad, from Quiapo Church to the cathedral, which is a 5-hour sacrifice, when it is possible to reach it within a half hour without Manila's perennial traffic snarls.

Get in
Antipolo is around 25 km away from Manila, you can drive from Manila to Antipolo around an hour by car.

By bus
Antipolo is directly served by Metro Manila's city bus network, with routes running from Cubao or Quiapo, either via Marcos and Sumulong Highway, or Ortigas Avenue. Buses terminate at the Robinsons mall at the city's ring road. RRCG Transport operates luxury express buses from malls in Makati and Mandaluyong.

Robinsons Mall Place Provincial Bus Grand Terminal Antipolo: Eastern Visayas, Bohol Province and Bicol Bus Terminal on Robinsons Place Mall Antipolo During Local Christmas New Year & Lenten Season Holiday is Fully Booked Ticket.
 * Mega Bus Lines Corporation
 * Elavil Travel and Tours Philippines, Inc
 * RMB Transit (via Tanay Rizal-Mabitac in Laguna Province or Lucena City in Quezon Province)


 * Jac Liner Bus Garage Official Bus Deport is located in Sumulong Highway Antipolo City Rizal Province Since 1987.


 * RRCG Transport


 * EMBC in Partnerships under RRCG Transport bus driver


 * G Liner


 * Green Star Bus Corporation

By train
LRT Line 2 (LRT-2) directly serves Antipolo, with a station near SM Masinag. There are plans to extend the line to downtown.

By van
Antipolo is accessible by UV Express van shuttles, with terminals in Metro Manila including one around Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City and around Shangri-la Plaza in Mandaluyong.

By jeepney
Jeepneys, while made redundant by buses, serve Antipolo from Taytay and Cubao, with terminals closer downtown. Beware of "patok" jeepneys – known for their loud stereo playing EDM and techno, and drivers speeding and doing dangerous maneuvers – on the Cubao-Antipolo route, though increased traffic police presence and direct bus service to Antipolo have largely forced such vehicles out of service.

Get around
With over 8000 tricycles in the town center alone, you will have no problem looking for a ride to nearby destinations. Places along the main roads are accessible by jeepney. It is advisable to travel by car to other destinations as jeepneys do not cover every corner of the city, especially the mountains.

Do

 * Enjoy the overlooking views of the Manila skyline along Sumulong Highway. One could even stop for a drink at one of the restaurant-pubs on the roadside.

Buy

 * Roasted cashew nuts: Hot from the vendors outside of Antipolo Cathedral (the vendors will most likely come to you, rather than you come to them)
 * Filipino rice cakes: The most famous form of which, "kalamay", is another popular "pasalubong" that visitors carry away from Antipolo

Eat
There are a lot of fast food chains located at the town center (Upper Antipolo) and in Cogeo area (Lower Antipolo) such as Jollibee, McDonald's, KFC, and Pizza Hut, and convenience stores like 7-Eleven and Ministop.

Also, these includes numerous restaurants and bars located at OL (Over-Looking) at Sumulong Highway wherein you'll have the best view of Metro Manila, seeing Ortigas Buildings, and residential areas.

Drink
There are also numerous places to drink in the mountainous city, along Marcos Highway you can find several spots for drinking like 22nd St. Comedy Bar, X Factor Bar, Dampa sa Antipolo to name a few. In the Sumulong Highway you can also find classy places to drink like the Padi's Point and Cloud 9 bar.

Go next
Come down into other lower-lying towns of Rizal, one of the most interesting of which is Angono (named the Art Capital of the Philippines) and host of two National Artists. In the backdoor entry to Angono from Antipolo (through the Eastridge Country Club), visitors can stop by to take a visit at the famous Angono Petroglyphs (now managed by the National Museum).