January 27, 2012. The very first time I conquer Rizal Province, in Antipolo. I and my friends decided to have some time away from the city. Though, it is near in Manila. Our met up is in Parklea, EDSA Shaw Blvd. by 7am. We depart from EDSA. We ride a jeep going to Antipolo Church, it took us almost 2hours going there. As we arrived at the church, we attended a mass and explore the church and the memorabilia’s of our lady of Voyage and peace. They have a museum there upstairs and taking pictures is not allowed. You will see the different perfumes that they used for the image of the saint and also the real image and the replica they use. After that, we headed to Stations of the Cross. For us to get there, we have to ride a tricycle worth 10pesos each.
our lady of good voyage and peace church
riding a tricycle going to stations of the cross
Bags, cameras and phones with camera are not allowed as you went up because the place is so sacred and all you have to do there is just reflect as you went through the Stations of the Cross. At first, we bought a candle and lit it then put it in the rack and pray. The candle is worth 5pesos each. I thought it was easy to trek because they said that all you need is to walk to reach the big cross on top. But going up takes a lot of challenge, because of some muddy and rocky parts. Every place there is the step by step Jesus undergo before he nailed at the cross, all His struggles, pains and sacrifices were all written there in every station. The place is so quiet that’s why you could really feel the sacredness of that place.
at the entrance of via dolorosa
As we reached the half part of the station, you can see there the view of Rizal and it was breath-taking. We took a picture of it immediately and quickly because there are officials who guards the place for persons who will disobey the rules there. Luckily, my friend haven’t caught. After the long trek, finally we reached the big cross and the final station. We took a rest, reflect and unwind there as we feel the cold breeze of the air.
Going down, we are really excited going to our last destination, the hinulugang taktak. We took a tricycle again and ask the driver to take us directly to hinulugang taktak. The fare is worth 30pesos each. I am so excited because I haven’t seen a falls and that place is very well-known because of the said falls. The entrance at the Hinulugang Taktak is 20pesos for students like us. First, we change clothes and have our lunch and after that, we swim. A very very cold water it is, but I enjoyed swimming there because I am with my friends.
at the entrance of hinulugang taktak
having our lunch
the falls
After the swimming, we clean up and head to the falls. I can smell the bad smell comes from the falls because of some ignorant residents and people who keeps on throwing their trash at the falls. But still, I was so fascinate of what I’ve seen. The falls is very wonderful and I’m lucky to see one of God’s best creation on earth.
ITINERARY
0700 depart from Parklea, Shaw Blvd.
0845 arrival at Our Lady of Good Voyage and Peace
0930 depart from church
0945 arrival at the Stations of the Cross, start trek
1100 depart from Stations of the Cross
1130 arrival at Hinulugang Taktak, lunch
1300 swimming time
0500 clean up
0600 head back to Manila