Antipolo, Philippines

Antipolo, officially the City of Antipolo, is a 1st class component city and capital of the province of Rizal, Philippines. With a population of 887,399 people, it is the most populous city in the Calabarzon region and the seventh most-populous city in the Philippines. Antipolo is known as the Pilgrimage Capital of the Philippines, with the Marian image of the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage or the Virgin of Antipolo enshrined in the Antipolo Cathedral. The city is also famous for its locally grown mangoes and cashews, as well as suman – a local delicacy made out of glutinous rice. Its higher elevation than that of Metro Manila affords it a scenic view of the metropolis, especially at night. The Hinulugang Taktak National Park, which was once a popular summer get-away, is being restored to become again one of the city’s primary attractions after being devastated by a typhoon. Antipolo has a rich history, with Franciscan missionaries arriving in 1578 and building a small church on what is now Boso-Boso Church. The city was named after the tipolo (breadfruit) tree, which was in abundance in the area. Antipolo was converted from a municipality into a component city of Rizal Province on April 4, 1998, under Republic Act No. 8508. On June 19, 2020, President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act 11475, designating Antipolo City as the official capital of Rizal Province. It took effect on July 7, 2020. Come and explore the wonders of Antipolo, a city that offers a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty.