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Flight chronicles of the backpacker Tutubi, with travelogues, pictures/photos/videos, travel guides, independent and honest reviews, affordable, recommended resorts and hotels (including inns, guesthouses, pension houses, lodges, hostels, condotels, bed and breakfast and other cheap accommodations), commuting guides, routes (sometimes street maps and GPS coordinates/waypoints) and driving directions to answer "how to get there" questions, information and tips on tourism, budget travel and living in Philippines, Exotic Asia and beyond!

Backpacking, independent travel, and flashpacking are cheaper than the "cheapest package tours" and promotional offers around but you can also use travel information for family vacations, even romantic honeymoon destinations.

More than the usual tourist spots and "places to see," this blog advocates heritage conservation, environmental protection, and history awareness for Filipinos, foreigners, and ex-pats wishing to explore Paradise Philippines and Exotic Asia!
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    Rizal: How to Get to Antipolo Church, Map, Commute, Directions for Car Blessings

    For those looking for up-to-date and accurate information on getting to Antipolo Church (as this has been asked so many times in the past) where Tutubi passes by en route to his hometown Paete, Laguna.

    If you want to visit the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, Antipolo at the Antipolo Church, buy some Antipolo pasalubong like kasuy, suman or have your new car blessing.

    First, Click here for an updated and accurate street map of Antipolo via OpenStreetMap.



    1. How to commute to Antipolo Church:

    1.1 take the FX Shuttle service to Antipolo, available at
    1.1.1 Gabriela Silang Car Park, Makati Avenue corner Ayala Avenue, Makati City
    1.1.2 SM Megamall
    1.1.3 Robinsons Galleria
    1.1.4 LRT 2 Santolan Station
    1.1.5 Gateway Mall, Cubao, Quezon City (near LRT 2 Cubao Station and MRT Araneta Center Cubao Station)

    1.2 Jeepney to Antipolo, Rizal:

    1.2.1 Jose Rizal University (JRU), Shaw Boulevard (Kalentong), Mandaluyong
    1.2.2 Starmall, EDSA, Mandaluyong
    1.2.3 EDSA Central station, Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong
    1.2.4 LRT 2 Santolan Station
    1.2.5 Tanay, Rizal (where you can get there via Siniloan, Laguna from Sta. Cruz)

    1.3 Bus to Antipolo, Rizal:

    EMBC bus line serves the Divisoria to Antipolo route

    no idea on the jeepney fare to Antipolo. some jeepney routes may also require a tricycle ride
    to get there usually from Quezon

    2. Driving Directions to Antipolo Church:

    From Makati, head towards C-5, turn right to Ortigas Avenue, pass the so called junction of Cainta,
    pass Tikling junction (right turn then U-turn then right turn again)
    until you get to Sumulong Circle where you turn left then right going to the road to Antipolo Church

    From Quezon City and Marikina, this route is the better and faster than traffic-heavy Ortigas Avenue:
    take c5 then Aurora Boulevard. Proceed to Marcos Highway all the way pass SM Masinag where you turn right
    at the Masinag Junction. Go up all the way to Sumulong Circle (where the new Antipolo Public market is being built and where most vehicles turn left). Instead of turning, just go straight ahead then turn left to follow the map of Antipolo.

    From Laguna and Quezon provinces, Antipolo can be reached via Siniloan and Tanay and Manila East Road, about 1.5 hours travel time from Paete, Laguna

    Other interesting places to see and visit in Antipolo:
    Ynares Center, Hinulugang Taktak and the pasalubong stores

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    posted by GingGoy @ 10:07 PM, ,

    Eat & Run Family Day at Callospa Resort, Antipolo, Rizal

    A garden resort cum wedding venue cum spa set in the rainforest of Antipolo City in Rizal Province, Callospa Resort has been heard of by Tutubi only in mainstream media sponsored write ups that you really won't fully believe and swallow "hook, line, and sinker." Tutubi was able to visit the resort spa in Antipolo for mere two hours to attend an organization's family day outing then rushed back to Quezon City to attend to a family event at Philam Homes Clubhouse.

    Pictures of Callospa Resort:

    callospa resort antipolo rizalthe swimming pool beckons to wash away the summer heat
    callospa resort antipolo rizalanother view of Callospa Resort's swimming pool and outdoor jacuzzi with hanging millionaire's vine on the foreground

    a "floating" over a man-made lagoon is a romatic place for dinner or the place where the groom and bride may sit during their wedding day

    an al fresco picnic/reception area near the small man-made lagoon shaded by trees
    indoor reception hall/events venue converted into a badminton court for the Family Day activity

    Tutubi would have wanted so much to enjoy Callospa Resort's facilities, especially the swimming pool, restaurant food and probably at least 1 hour massage at the resort spa to relieve his chronic back pain but would have to do so in the future, probably next year if the next family day will also be held there again.

    ---

    Callospa rates:
    Swimming: P120.00 (up to 4pm)
    Night Swimming: P150.00
    Resort Day rate: P10000.00
    Night rate: P12500.00

    (rates much cheaper than comparable garden wedding venues in Manila but you need to travel farther to reach it. Cheapest massaage/spa therapy package is P650.00)

    How to get to Callospa Resort, Antipolo, Rizal:

    Driving Directions: Callospa is accessible via Ortigas Avenue extension past Tikling junction but Tutubi decided to get there via Marcos Highway and Sumulong highway to avoid heavy traffic on Ortigas Avenue.

    From Marcos Highway, turn right to Sumulong at Masinag Market junction. Drive ahead until you reach and turn right to Sumulong Circle (the road that leads to Vieux Chalet and Hinulugang Taktak then turn right again when you see a hospital (Unciano Medical Center) then follow direction signs leading to the resort. Travel time from Trinoma mall is about 45 minutes via this route on a Saturday morning.

    Commute to Callospa: board a jeepney or shuttle service to Antipolo City then request the driver to drop you off at Unciano Medical Center. Transfer to a waiting tricycle to take you to Callospa.


    For inquiries, swimming pool rates, entrance fees, nigh swimming, overnight accommodations room rates, wedding reception venue and other parties (debut, birthdays et al), please call Callospa Resort's published contact numbers or via their official website.

    Related Posts on Antipolo City:
    Hinulugang Taktak
    Overlook Resort
    Antipolo Church
    You may also be looking for Callo's Spa or Callo Spa Resort :P

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    posted by GingGoy @ 9:56 PM, ,

    Hinulugang Taktak Falls Antipolo Rizal

    Probably the nearest waterfall to bustling Metro Manila is this talon in Antipolo City located inside a national park-- Hinulugang Taktak.

    Legend has it that the falls got its name when people threw a bell on Taktak creek thus the name Hinulugang Taktak.

    hinulugang taktak falls antipolo
    hinulugang taktak falls antipolofoam forms at the basin of the falls that looks like soap suds though a different kind of smell wafts through the air

    Tutubi was able to visit this waterfall on his way back from Antipolo Church, the Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage when he had his car blessed last January of this year. From there he and his family held a short picnic in the park's tables and surrounding lush forest.

    Expect a minimal entrance fee to enter the park plus rentals for cottages and cabanas inside for picnic tables. There are comfort rooms inside. There's also a swimming pool open to the public. Perhaps the feedback you really need to know about Hinulugang Taktak is that it's not well-maintained even dugyut to some extent-- hinulugan na ng basura, tinaktak pa!


    How to get to Hinulugang Taktak, Antipolo City, Rizal

    Commute to Hinulugang Taktak is fastest if you can take the LRT 2 to the end station of Santolan where you can ride jeepneys going to Antipolo. Jeeps to Antipolo are also available in Cubao where you alight on Taktak road then transfer to a tricycle or walk towards the falls.

    Driving Directions to Hinulugang Taktak: Follow the route of the jeepneys! From SM City North EDSA, drive towards Quezon Memorial Circle, right on Commonwealth Avenue but take the road going to UP and right at the first corner going to Kalayaan. You will pass by Ateneo de Manila, drive under the Kalayaan flyover to turn right on Aurora Boulevard, make a U-turn and drive straight on Marcos Highway until you see Masinag Market where you turn right. This is already Sumulong Highway. Drive straight until you see the intersection with direction signs leading to Hinulugang Taktak (a right turn. left turn leads to Baras, Teresa and Laguna while straight through leads to Antipolo City proper and Antipolo Church)

    be prepared to pay minimal Hinulugang taktak entrance fee/admission. there's also a swimming pool open to the public. call hinulugang taktak contact number for swimming rates and other inquiries and events.

    Related Posts:
    Antipolo Church
    Pagsanjan Falls

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    posted by GingGoy @ 9:27 PM, ,

    Overlook Resort in Antipolo City

    Tutubi's "last resort" for the summer, where he booked at the last minute turned out to be a place he's been to before years ago: Overlook Resort and Conference Center.

    Located on the famous overlooking hill facing Metro Manila, similar to Cebu's Tops and Davao's Jack's Ridge, Overlook Resort in Antipolo offers a respite, at a budget, to city dwellers looking for a break from the hustle and bustle life in the big city.

    Photos of Overlook Resort:


    the facade of the resort on the hilltop overlooking Metro Manila.

    one of the resort's two swimming pools.

    Overlook Resort Review:

    The rooms are nice and basic amenities at the price range (P1500/night for twin sharing) so don't expect the comforts of high-end resorts city slickers are accustomed to.

    The resort's food don't have many choices, mostly tapsilog stuff, and targeting budget travelers. They don't have food stocks and limited menu. You can bring your own food and just use the facilities should you wish. The nearest restaurant is Vieux Chalet, Swiss-themed restaurant higher up the hill, but such a pricey restaurant.

    Like many other resorts out there, there is a distracting karaoke with songs belted out by other resort people unmindful of other visitors. If you want peace and tranquility, this resort is not for you.

    ---

    Overlook Resort and Conference Center

    Taktak Rd., Sta. Cruz, Antipolo
    http://www.overlookresortel.com
    Office no. (+632) 6960054 (frontdesk) or (+632) 6960240
    Email: info@overlookresortel.com

    How to get there:

    Map and driving directions on going there posted on the resort's official website here. It's not easy to commute there owing to the hilly terrain and tricycles are the only mode of transport from the corner of Taktak road and Sumulong Highway.

    Labels: , , , , ,

    posted by GingGoy @ 8:20 PM, ,

    Rizal: Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage (Antipolo Church)

    Similar to Our Lady of Manaoag Shrine in Pangasinan, Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage in Antipolo City attracts pilgrims from all over the country particularly people intending to travel, work abroad or blessing new cars/vehicles. This belief in Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage (Nuestra Senora De la Paz Y Buen Viaje) has its roots, historians say, that the miraculous icon has sailed back and forth between Manila and Acapulco (Mexico) eight times and on several occasions was credited with protecting the galleon from pirates, and Dutch/British blockades.

    picture of Antipolo Church. too bad the sky turned cloudy just as Tutubi passed by.
    History of Antipolo Church on the NHI marker

    Fiesta in Antipolo is during the month of May while mass schedules follow the usual Sunday masses.

    Antipolo Tourist Traps and Tips:

    For those who want to have their cars and vehicles blessed, proceed directly to the Parish office to make your donation (of any amount) then show your receipt to the priests and lay ministers blessing other vehicles. The process takes only a few minutes.

    People and vendors may sell you pasalubong like suman, kasuy (cashew nuts, mostly from Palawan) and others but buy from the legitimate vendors on a certain side of the church. The ambulant vendors are illegal and block the gates and passageways.

    Overeager people may also pin something on you on your way out of the church, politely tell them you're not interested for they' ask for donation again which are not sanctioned by the parish.

    How to get to Antipolo Church:

    Commute: the fastest way is via MRT/LRT transfer to LRT 2 get off at the last station (Santolan). Board a jeep bound for Antipolo then transfer to a tricycle to take you to the church. There are Antipolo-bound jeepneys in Cubao, Quezon City.

    Commute from Laguna: Board a Sta. Cruz-bound jeepney then transfer to a Siniloan PUJ. In Siniloan, flag a jeep to Tanay, Rizal then another jeep to Antipolo (too many jumps but faster than going around the Laguna Loop. If you're from Quezon province, you may board a jeep bound to Pagsanjan or Sta. Cruz then follow this route.

    Divisoria, Manila to Antipolo, take EMBC bus that pass by Sta Mesa and Ortigas Extension. Take tricycle to Antipolo Church.

    Directions by car: From Makati make your way to Marcos Highway on C5 then choose ilalim C5-Kalayaan Flyover where you also pass by St. Claire (Sta. Clara). Drive straight Marcos Highway, right Sumulong Highway (landmark: Masinag Wet and Dry Market to the left). Drive along the highway (you'll pass Valley Golf and Country Club), head straight at the junction (with signs going to Baras and Hinulugang Taktak). You may ask boys signaling you where to go since there are so many one way streets and map is not always available)

    Other pilgrimage sites in Antipolo:

    Boso-Boso Church: remnants of an old church destroyed during World War 2.

    The White Cross, now called as Via Dolorosa on Pinagmisahan St. with its station of the cross and a large White Cross at the top. (This is is similar to Kamay ni Hesus in Lucban, Quezon)

    Inday Nelly's Mystical Cave located in Puting Bato, Brgy. San Luis, with 205 step stairway, with natural rock formations (stalactites and stalagmites) resembling Catholic images.

    Related Posts:
    St. Clare Monastery
    Our Lady of Manaoag
    Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Lipa
    Our Lady of the Pillar
    Kamay ni Hesus
    Visita Iglesia Manila
    Visita Iglesia Rizal and Laguna

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    posted by GingGoy @ 9:33 PM, ,