As the hometown of two National Artists, Carlos ‘Botong’ Francisco and Lucio San Pedro, the town is filled with art galleries and the artistry of emerging artist are becoming evident as well. Churches found in the province also reflect the Filipino artistry, as influenced by Spanish and other cultures.

Demographic

1. Population – 2,284,046 (as of 2007 Census)
2. Land Area – 1,308.9 sq. km
3. Capital – Antipolo City
4. Language/Dialect – English, and Filipino
5. Divisions

Cities (1)

• Antipolo City

Municipalities (13)

• Angono
• Baras
• Binangonan
• Cainta
• Cardona
• Jalajala
• Morong
• Pililla
• Rodriguez
• San Mateo
• Tanay
• Taytay
• Teresa

Our Lady of Antipolo Shrine
The Shrine is the home of the highly venerated Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage (Nuestra Señora dela Paz y Buen Viaje). During Lenten Season and the month of May, devotees head out to the shrine to pay homage to the Virgin.

Hinulugang Taktak
A subject of a song of the Mabuhay Singers, this wonder is a favorite picnic site of locals and stopover of pilgrims who came from the Antipolo Shrine

Art Galleries and Ateliers
The province is an art lover’s paradise. The towns of Angono, Binangonan, Tanay, and Morong are filled with art galleries showcasing the works of some of the most notable visual artists of the Philippines

Wawa Dam
This dam supplier water to Novaliches through its large pipes. The Wawa Dam is a favorite spot for budding photographers and those who would like to escape the city life without traveling too far from Manila.

Angono Petroglyphs
Discovered by National Artist for Painting Carlos Botong’ Franciso in 1965, these stone carvings of human and animal figures dating back to 3000 BC.

Delectable Food
Rizal has its own list of mouthwatering dishes which will make anyone come back for more.
1. Kalamay – sweet sticky rice cake tooped with dark sweet coconut glaze
2. Binuho or suman sa buho – sweetened glutinous rice cooked in bamboo tubes and seasoned in coconut milk.
3. Balaw-balaw – fermented salted shrimps
4. Nilasing na Hipon - freshwater shrimp cooked in coconut milk mélanged with cooking wine or gin
5. Cashew nuts

Cultural

Angono Petroglyphs
Location: Angono – Binangonan – Antipolo boundary
Discovered by National Artist for Painting Carlos Botong’ Franciso in 1965, the petroglyphs is included in the 100 Most Endangered Sites of the World in 1996 due to its fast deterioration and vandalism done by irresponsible visitors. In the same year, President Fidel Ramos issued Presidential Decree No. 260, declaring it as a national cultural treasure.

Angono Art Galleries
1. Nemiranda Arthouse and Gallery
Location: Dona Justa Subd., Angono, Rizal
2. Tiamson Art Gallerie
Location: 203 Dona Nieves St., Bgy. Sto. Nino, Angono, Rizal
3. Ang Nuno Gallery and Balaw-Balaw Restaurant
Location: Don Francisco St., Dona Justa Subd., Angono, Rizal
4. Blanco Family Museum
Location: 312 ibanez St., Sto. Nino, Angono, Rizal
5. Vicente Reyes Studio
Location: Dona Aurora St., Bgy. Poblacion, Angono, Rizal

Vicente Manansala Historical Shrine
Location: 73 Gloria St., San Carlos Heights Subd., Binangonan, Rizal
Tour Day: Tuesday to Saturday
Tour Time: 8:30 am - 12:00 nn and 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm
It was declared by the National Historical Institute as a historical landmark in June, 1978. It houses the works of the first Filipino ‘modern’ artist.

Mural Street
Location: Dona Aurora St., of Barangay Poblacion Itaas, Angono, Rizal
The street is filled with murals and sculptures depicting the famous painting of National Artists Carlos ‘Botong’ Francisco about rural life. These murals were made by Charlie Anorico, Gerry Bantang and Ebong Pinpino. At the end of the street are the busts of Francisco and National Artist for Music Lucio San Pedro.

Man-made

Wawa Dam
Location: Brgy. Wawa, Rodriguez, Rizal
Located at the foothill of Sierra Madre Mountains, it is surrounded by lush greenery and limestone formations. Visitors can enjoy having picnic at makeshift kubos located at the side of the dam.

Hamaka Park
Location: P. Oliveros St., Antipolo City, Rizal
Hamaka or hammock is the mode of transportation in Rizal back then. Bronze figure can be found in the park replicating the hamaka tradition, Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage and town sellers of the City's major products (suman, mangoes and cashew).

Ynares Center
Location: Corner P. Oliveros St. and Circumferential Road, Antipolo City, Rizal
This state-of-the-art sports coliseum is the favorite venue of several sporting events and concerts held in the province. The Center served as the venue for the centennial celebration of Rizal Province.

Natural

Hinulugang Taktak
Location: Taktak Road, Barangay Dela Paz, Antipolo City
The waterfalls has been declared a National Park and now contains picnic cottages, a swimming pool, pathways and walks that afford a nice view of the dramatic falls.

Susong Dalaga
Location: Bgy. Sapang, Talim Island, Binangonan, Rizal
Shaped like a virgin’s breast, this 200-meter high mountain gives veteran and amateur hikers a challenging climb but offers rewarding scenery for the tenacious ones.

Eagle’s Nest (Overlooking View)
Location: Sumulong Highway, Antipolo City, Rizal
The view point has nipa huts where locals and visitors enjoy the Manila skyline and have a drink.

Daranak Falls
Location: Bgy. Tandang Kutyo, Tanay, Rizal
The 14-meter high falls lies at the foot of the mountain, surrounded by lush vegetation, and natural ponds and river. It is a favorite site for local and international movies and advertisements.

Batlag Falls
Location: Brgy. Plaza Aldea, Tanay, Rizal
Entrance Fee: P20.00
The 10-meter high waterfall is set on a unique rock formation. Below are two unlikely shaped pools with sharp rock protruding out from the base and nearby rocks.

Religious

Our Lady of Antipolo Shrine
Location: Antipolo City, Rizal
The Shrine is the home of the highly venerated Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage (Nuestra Señora dela Paz y Buen Viaje). History says that this miraculous icon sailed back and forth between Manila and Acapulco eight times, and on several occasions, was credited with saving the Spanish galleons from destruction by pirates, and Dutch and British blockades. The Nuestra Señora was dedicated by the Archbishop of Manila on November 26, 1926.

Pinagmishan Hills / Via Dolorosa
Location: Kaytikling Road, Antipolo City, Rizal
Another known destination during Lent, the Via Dolorosa requires pilgrims to walk uphill on the mountain, stopping at the life-sized replicas of the Stations of the Cross. Atop are the huge White Cross and the outsized image of the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage.

Boso Boso Church Ruins
Location: Sitio Boso-Boso, Brgy. San Jose, Antipolo City, Rizal
It was built in the 17th century in the patronage of Our Lady of Annunciation (Nuetra Señora de la Anunciata). Transferred its management to Secular Priest in 1768. It was destroyed by an earthquake on June 18, 1880. It was fully destroyed during the World II.

San Ildefonso Church
Location: Tanay, Rizal
The church is famous for its beautiful ‘retablos’ (altars) and 14 ‘Via Crucis’ or Station of the Cross curved in bass relief of wood, and other antiques. It is also famed as one of the very few churches in the country featuring Rococo Artwork, a style popular during the 18th century characterized by curves and goldleaf.

St. Joseph Church
Location: Baras, Rizal
It is one of the oldest in the area, having been completed in 1686. The first church in Baras was built by the Franciscans in 1595.

St. Jerome Church
Location: Morong, Rizal
Built in 1615 by Chinese craftsmen as evidenced by the Chinese lions at the entrance to the steep driveway. It has a tower in front, about 100 feet high with a statue of St. Michael the Archangel on top.

Ang Kalbaryo
Location: Bgy. Libid, Binangonan, Rizal
Local stories states that a cross-shaped rock suddenly grew at the summit of the hill. Unfortunately, the rock cross was destroyed by lightning and thunder. The locals erected a wooden cross as replacement in 1783. Later on, a chapel was also built at the site.

Dinamulag – Mango Festival
Place: Iba, Zambales
Date: April 13 – 15
Dinamulag was derived from a Zambal word meaning “Kinalabaw”, the mango variety dominantly grown in the province. This yearly celebration was created to accommodate and promote the mango industry in Zambales and to show the Provincial Government’s support to mango farmers.

Fiesta Of Ina Poonbato
Place: Botolan, Zambales
Date: January 24
Devotees from all over the country flocked to the church before or on the feast day to worship Ina Poonbato. Religious activities and procession are held during the feast.

Singkamas Festival
Place: San Marcelino, Zambales
Date: February 17-26
Singkamas (raddish) is a major root crop grown abundantly in San Marcelino. Its peak season of harvest is in the month of February. Street dancers flock the town plaza wearing colorful costumes and celebrate the abundant harvest for the year.

Tayo na sa Antipolo Festival
Place: Antipolo City
Date: May 1 – 30
This month-long celebration is in honor Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage. During this time, pilgrims from everywhere travel towards the shrine on foot to pay homage to the Blessed Virgin.

Higantes Festival
Place: Angono, Rizal
Date: November 22-23
Giant papier mache effigies,natives in wooden shoes and costumes join the procession of San Clemente, Angono’s patron saint.

Giwang-giwang
Place: Binangonan, Rizal
Date: Good Friday
This is a reenactment of the funeral of Jesus Christ. Due to the number of devotees joining the parade trying to touch the Sepulkro or sepulcher, the image ends up swaying, hence, its local translation, the term Giwang-giwang.

Sumakah Festival
Place: Antipolo City, Rizal
Date: May 1 - 30
The festival name is an acronym for suman, mangga (mango) kasoy (cashew nuts) and hamaka (hammock made of rattan). The festival is celebrated together with Tayo Na sa Antipolo Fesitval.