The re-greening of Antipolo City

ANTIPOLO City —The centuries-old Birheng Nuestra Señora y Buenviaje has always been associated with this city. The city is often mentioned in history books as the “richest parish” in the Philippines at the turn of the century because of pilgrims and parishioners who donate their material possessions to the parish. Its rich religious and cultural heritage has enamored many that continues to this day. However, there was a time when Antipolo was just a lethargic town that came alive only during the merry month of May.

Today, this quaint, picturesque city has come to life once more. Thanks to Antipolo City Mayor Angelito C. Gatlabayan, the city is now pulsing with life, and establishments are doing brisk business. He has breathed life to dying Hinulugang Taktak, the once legendary locale for romantics and pilgrims to visit after a pious call to the Birheng Nuestra Senora y Buenviaje.

Noting the erosion of its mountain, flash floods and mounting pollution, Mayor Gatlabayan initiated the Pista Ng Kagubatan in Sept. 15, 2001 with the city government and 16 barangays, schools, civic organizations, the church and church-based organizations helping together to bring back the lush greenery of the city’s slopes and peaks. With the city’s first lady, Josefina Gatlabayan, thousands of tree seedlings and various plants were part of the initial activities to beautify the Antipolo Eco-Park at Kaysakat, Barangay San Jose. Part of the city’s plan aside from giving back the former greenery of Antipolo, are a picnic grove, lagoon and world-class amenities to lure tourists to the eco-park. The Pista Ng Kagubatan is an on-going concern that is celebrated every September but a daily activity for the residents and the local government.

Boso-boso, the vegetable bowl of the city is a lush valley that produces what can rival Baguio-grown temperate vegetables like cabbage, carrots, sweet pea and other cold climate veggies. It has since supplied Metro Manila markets and restaurants with sweet, succulent vegetables. Boso-boso is also home to Antipolo’s original church in Barangay San Jose.

A historical marker was put on its facade in October 2001 with Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon, Sen. Noli de Castro, and Antipolo Chamber of Commerce president Mar Bacani gracing the occasion. Mayor Gatlabayan spearheaded the rehabilitation of the beautiful, centuries-old Boso-boso church.

Tourism, however, is just tip of the iceberg. The indefatigable mayor has education as the top priority of his administration. He built 12 extension high schools for the city’s growing young population, provided free books, notebooks and school supplies for the public elementary school pupils. To provide equal opportunity for Antipolo’s residents, Gatlabayan launched a comprehensive literacy program, one of which is dedicated solely to Dumagats in the Antipolo highlands. Here, he also provided books and school supplies for the students, earning him a Presidential Award as “Most Outstanding City Mayor in Non-Formal Education Literacy Program” on Nov. 18, 2002.

Indeed, Antipolo is a fast-rising economic phenomenon. At the Sumulong Highway that overlooks the picturesque Manila skyline, bistros, restaurants and eateries dot the byways catering to all sorts of patrons from the high-end class to virtual “hole-in-the-wall” establishments. Business has energized the city’s coffers, and economic activity is humming with life.

The city is easily accessible from Cubao, EDSA or Greenhills through Ortigas Avenue, Sumulong or Marcos Highway in a 30-minute travel time. Aircon buses, FX transport and jeepneys ply the route at all times. Now, the city’s theme song “Tayo Na Sa Antipolo” is a rhythm that sends a strong message, “Savor the taste and freshness of this tradition-filled electric but cosmopolitan city.”