Ask the hippies and baby-boomers, even Generation X'ers, where they spent weekend night-outs or romantic trysts in their younger years, and they'll automatically cite Antipolo's Sumulong Highway.
This road stretch has evolved from a mere passing point to Antipolo into a famous district on its own.
Today, rows of various establishments, such as restaurants and bars line the highway.
But for the avid weekend party group, the place has proven to be a haven of sorts for all-night grooving, cruising, and even stargazing.
The elevated road going to Antipolo, offers a whiff of fresh mountain air, the blinding view of the metro’s nightlights below, and the sparkles of the nightsky above.
The view is the top amenity in Antipolo, so bars located at the side of the road are particularly recognized for it.
Decades ago, before Antipolo went through urbanization, people used to go up to this Rizal town and park by the then vacant ridges of Sumulong Highway. From their cars, they would marvel at being sandwiched between contrasting views above and below them.
Sumulong was not as developed in those days, so the roads were dimly lit, save for some lampposts, and the idyllic moonlight. This venue was the best place for “bonding” with lovers.
From there, entrepreneurs came up with the idea to serve these motorists beer and snacks while they spent countless hours by the roadside. This enterprise eventually emerged into the bars, hotels, motels, and restaurants offering the same service and more.
Some of the more prominent bars that have lured even today’s youngsters are Grilla, Tabu, Leonardo’s, Kelly Heights, Cloud 9, Niagara Hills, The Cliff, and Padi’s Point.
The first establishment to gain fame for Sumulong Hi-way was Padi’s Point.
Padi’s Point.
Located on the very crest of an area called “Eagle’s Point”, the Antipolo joint was the first of Padi’s Point Restaurant and Bar Chain’s 20 existing branches today.
Vincent Padilla, Padi’s Point CEO came up with the idea of building a bar on Eagle’s Point in 1989. Padilla also established “Gotcha!”, a paintball war game amusement park in his family’s property in Antipolo. After an afternoon of tiring Gotcha activities, the idea of a hangout where gamers can unwind came into the young entrepreneur’s mind.
So in 1992, Padilla opened Padi’s Point. Aside from servicing Gotcha enthusiasts, the joint became more popular because of the breathtaking view it offered of Manila’s city lights at dusk.
Rhea Quesada, marketing manager of Padi’s Point, said that the bar-resto is now the market leader in the value restaurant and bar business, with its branches stretching from as far north as Cabanatuan City, to far south in Davao.
Padilla conceptualized Padi’s branches and franchises to have distinct qualities of their own. While the West Ave. branch offers billiards, the Katipunan branch has stand-up comedy. Others feature live band shows, but the original branch in Antipolo offers the best view of all.
Padi’s Point offers pulutan favorites like Sizzling Gambas (R138), Chicharon Bulaklak (R128), Padi’s Original Sisig (R108), Crunchy Calamares (R89), and Padi’s Chicken Wings (R109). Beer (San Miguel) costs R26.95 per mug, R104.95 per pitcher, and R324.95 per barrel.
Towering over Eagle’s Point is another elevated area called Kelly Heights, which was commercialized to offer bar and hotel services.
Found on Kelly heights are three bars: Cloud 9, Overlooking, and The Cliff. Celestial Hotel also stands at the center of the hill, offering lodging services.
Kelly Heights is dotted with natural greenery, and man-made attractions, such as the cogon huts which are found from the top to the bottom terraces.
The three bars basically offer the same services, and are managed by the same company as Celestial Hotel. The Cliff is located at the foot of Kelly Heights, by the side of Sumulong Highway; Overlooking is found in the middle of the hill near Celestial Hotel, and Cloud 9 is at the topmost. Another hotel, called 7th Heaven, is currently being constructed. Lovers are invited to check in at the place for some “heavenly experience” – partly because it stands as the highest structure in all of Kelly Heights.
Cloud 9, built in 1996, however provides the best view of Metro Manila. From there, one can even see the blinking lights of NAIA’s runway.
The main restaurant has three floors, with the uppermost offering KTV services. Outside the main restaurant, rows of umbrella huts and nipa huts are erected for those who want to drink and dine al fresco. The management charges R40 for occupancy of umbrella huts and R50 for the nipa huts.
The menu boasts of native dishes, BBQ, grilled, and sizzling specialties, at affordable rates. Beer is sold at popular prices, starting from R40.
The place is frequented by lovers, bikers, teen-agers, yuppies, and even whole families residing in the nearby subdivisions. They even come in their casual clothes, like being in a second home.
Kelly Heights exudes just that. A homey atmosphere made popular for people to relax and enjoy the food, the air, and of course, the view. (Reprinted from Cruising magazine, March 2001 issue)
|
