LEGENDS, LEISURE, ADVENTURE
NOT TOO LONG AGO, WHEN EXPRESSWAYS WERE NOT YET PART
of the travel lifestyle of Filipinos, this town on the eastern metropolitan doorstep was every urbanite’s weekend getaway. Rodriguez town, also popularly known as Montalban, in Rizal province was and still is an inexpensive excursion place for outdoor lovers. Just 30 minutes away from the urban jungle, one is transported to the Pamitinan Protected Landscape (PPL), a 608-hectare nature reserve which covers Montalban Gorge, Wawa Dam, Upper Marikina River, Pamitinan and Binacayan mountains, and Pamitinan Cave. Referred to as “Wawa” by trekkers, the area is both legendary and historic. Mt. Pamitinan is a favorite among rock climbers because of its jagged limestone crags and breathtaking mountaintop vista, while the dam is ideal for a family picnic by the cascade. According to folklore, the twin peaks is where Filipino giant Bernardo Carpio once stood and prevented the land masses from colliding. A white limestone boulder resembles what is believed to be the footprint of the fabled character who is likened to Atlas of ancient Greek mythology. Meanwhile, the multi-chambered cave was a Katipunan hideout where freedom fighters led by Andres Bonifacio de- clared independence from Spain for the first time in 1895. It can be explored with permission from local authorities; on the cave walls are writings declaring the Filipinos’ libertarian ideals.
A new activity the municipal tourism office has developed in the area is a river cruise with Dumagat tribesmen serving as boatmen and tour guides.
Beyond the PPL, adventurers can venture into the mountains of Puray, Hapunang Banoy, Paruwagan, Susong Dalaga, SipitUlang, Lubog, Parawagan and Balagbag, in the mighty Sierra Madre range. Tucked within these geological formations are the waterfalls of Puray, Biteng Uhay, Payaran, Tu-Ay and Karugo, and a series of caves which shut you off from the outside world.
Off-road enthusiasts can take their motorcycles, mountain bikes or 4x4 vehicles to upland Macabud village, known for its tree canopy which provide soothing shade.
The good news is this old-time getaway is making a comeback and is trying to lure families who want to frolic in its exciting inland resorts. Among the noteworthy resorts are Costa Abril known for its wave pool and slide pools, Rancho Luisito for its zipline, giant pail and waterslides and outdoor wall, and Noah’s Park for its team-building facilities and hanging bridges.
A chill out place with an open-air bar is Coco Mountain Resort, themed like an Australian surf camp and fronts an Instagram-
mable mountainscape.
School children will be fascinated by Avilon Zoo, a man-made safari which is arguably the biggest and best in the country. This 7.5-hectare park houses nearly 3,000 animals, a good number of which are imported, comprising 500 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fishes and plants with emphasis on Philippine endemic species.
For a glimpse of local heritage, visit the ancestral home of the eminent Senate president and statesman Eulogio “Amang” Rodriguez, after whom the town is named. The typical Spanish stone house showcases his memorabilia including portraits, paintings, photographs, vintage car and other personal effects. The mansion has undergone minimal physical repairs over the decades and is currently inhabited by the late patriarch’s descendants.
For a hearty meal, local favorites are the nondescript carinderias offer
ing sinigang na tilapia and an assortment of goat dishes. The town has interesting homegrown dining outlets, most notably Kristal-G Ristorante which boasts of cozy interiors, Italian-Filipino cuisine and acoustic music, and its sister café, Coffee & Pastry Shop by Chef G.
For snacks and take-aways, Tia Goye Kutsinta offers kutsinta and bibingka galapong, perhaps the best-tasting you can sink your teeth into.
To put the spotlight on its resurgent tourism industry, Rodriguez recently held its second Pamitinan Festival which celebrates the municipal foundation day. Named after the legendary mountain, the event-filled festivity included the Hammock Festival, a street dance showdown depicting the myth of Bernardo Carpio and the Vice Mayor Dennis Tom Hernandez Motocross Competition, which aims to make the town a motorsports site in the mega-Manila region.
As Bonifacio’s revolutionary quarters, the town holds commemorative events every April 12 and Nov. 30 at the Pamitinan Cave to observe his proclamation of independence and his birth anniversary, respectively.
With the unique blend of legend, adventure and leisure, Montalban may yet be your newest weekend haunt.