History of Antipolo

On the Philippine island of Luzon, in the province of Rizal, sits the town of Antipolo. San Mateo and La Paz to the north, Calumpit to the west, Quezon City and Pasig to the south, and Manila Bay to the east are its neighbors. It is situated at a height of around 6 meters above sea level. The tipolo (breadfruit) tree, which was common in the region, inspired the naming of Antipolo City.

Antipolo City is the first city in Rizal. It was established in 1570 by Miguel de Legazpi, the first governor-general of the Philippines, as a place for religious retreats and a base for his explorations. The Spanish government built a military fortress here to protect themselves from Moro attacks.In 1571, Fray Andres de Urdaneta came here to spread Christianity to the natives. He started on November 6 and finished on December 20, 1571. He baptized a total of two hundred twenty-one people in two weeks and established six missions in Antipolo. Fray Juan Crespi also came with Fray Andres de Urdaneta to establish another mission here on June 5, 1572.

It was named San Pablo de Tiaong after Saint Paul’s New Testament book bearing the same name Antipolo joined the newly created Province of Rizal, along with the municipalities of Morong District and Manila Province, on June 11, 1901. Antipolo, Boso-Boso, and Teresa were combined in 1903. The sitios of Mayamot and Bulao have added to the town’s boundaries once again in 1913, but Teresa was lost when it split off to form an independent municipality six years later. On December 24, 1908, the Manila Railroad Company began operating a train line to Antipolo. After plebiscite approval on April 4, 1998, former President Fidel V. Ramos signed Republic Act No. 8508, establishing the Municipality of Antipolo as a component city of Rizal Province. In the election that followed, Angelito Gatlabayan was chosen as the city’s first mayor.

“The Pilgrimage City”

Another name for Antipolo is “Pilgrimage City.” It was the Franciscan missionaries who first build the church in the area, in 1578. However, they were replaced by the Jesuits. The missionaries came to “Christianize” the Dumagatas, Tagals, Indians, and Aetas. Some of them were Fr. Chirino and Fr. Almarique. By 1601, the Christian population of Antipolo increased to 3,000 due to the people of Dumagat who came and lived in the area.

Governor Juan Nino de Tabora brought the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Mexico. That was March 25, 1626, before Governor Juan Nino de Tabora died. The Virgin Mary was sent back to the City and was installed somewhere in Sitio Sta. Cruz.

Population, Festivals, and Celebrations

With a total population of 924,888 as of 2022, Antipolo City has an average population density of 2,214.12/km2 (5,734.5/sq mi). Roman Catholics, Tagalog speakers, and Filipino/English speakers make up the majority of Antipoleos. The city’s literacy rate was 96.5 percent as per the 2000 Census. Dumagats make up one percent of Antipolo’s population.

Antipolo’s terrain may be characterized as being mostly hilly and mountainous, with the majority of the hills being located in the west and the majority of the mountains being located in the east as a part of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range. The northern and southern boundaries, as well as the center of the city, all have well-watered valleys. The western part of the study area has plateaus that are more than 200 meters above sea level, including the Poblacion and some of the Brgy. San Juan and Cupang. These may be observed in the Brgys in the eastern part. Calawis and San Jose looking west over the Boso-Boso River Valley.

Antipolo is also a city full of culture and the famous festive Filipino spirit. Here are some festivals celebrated in Antipolo:

Ang Tipulo Festival

Every May 1st, the Antipoleos celebrate the Ang Tipulo Festival, which highlights their culture and local delicacies like suman, or sweetened steamed rice, mangoes, and kasuy, or cashews, as well as the Hamaka or hammock, which is their earliest form of tradition.

Kapitanes at Kapitanas

A custom that has been carried out annually in Antipolo City since the 1920s is the selection of two couples of young Antipolenos to guide the faithful throughout Holy Week. The Pontifical Emblem and the Paschal Candle are carried by Kapitan Uno and Kapitana Uno, respectively, in the first couple. The Church Flag is carried by the second couple, the Kapitan Dos.

Alay Lakad

Every Maundy Thursday, from April 30 to May 1, millions of devotees travel to Antipolo as a kind of penance for Holy Week. This celebration lasts from the evening of April 30 to the daybreak of May 1. The procession of the statue of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage from Quiapo Church to the Antipolo Cathedral marks the start of this yearly celebration on April 30.

Why People Love Antipolo

It’s just that Antipolo City has a particularly appealing charm all its own. There are several locations, settings, perspectives, festivals, and other things outside of just this city. After visiting, you’ll undoubtedly return time and again to see more of the city. You will always leave the city smiling after each visit. Some of the popular tourist spots in Antipolo are:

  • Basilica of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage
  • Hinulugang Taktak Falls
    Pacem Ecopark
  • Old BosoBoso Church
  • Via Dolorosa
  • Forest Hills Golf and Country Club

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