Longing to go on a different kind of adventure? Why not go on an Art-venture exploring the hidden gems and vibrant art scene in our featured destination for November, Rizal. If you want to experience the outdoors, or indulge in good Filipino food, or feed your soul with some art, Rizal is the perfect place to be.
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
MT. DARAITAN AND TINIPAK RIVER
Mount Daraitan and the Tinipak river is located in Barangay Daraitan in Tanay, Rizal. Climbing to the summit of Daraitan can take about 3-4 hours. Going down, you will pass through the Tinipak River. Although you can go straight to the Tinipak river if you do not want to do a full-day hike.
To go to Tinipak river, you will have to leave your car in the parking slot before Daraitan river. You can either walk through the hanging bridge to cross to the other side or ride a bamboo balsa to cross the river. After crossing the river, you will have to ride a tricycle to the Barangay Hall where you have to register and get a tour guide. Tour guides are required for the hike and it costs PHP500.00. From the Barangay Hall, you can start the hike to Daraitan, or the walk to Tinipak River. You can also hire a tricycle to Tinipak river.
For those who are planning to stay overnight. There are quaint cottages that you can rent at the other side of the river at a reasonable cost.
The best months to visit Mt. Daraitan and the Tinipak river is during the summer months so the climb won’t be muddy and so you can get to see the vibrant hue of the water against the marbled rocks. We recommend starting the hike a little after midnight so you can watch the sunrise at the summit then cool off at Tinipak River on your way down.
The Tinipak and Daraitan river are located at Barangay Daraitan, Tanay, Rizal
DARANAK AND BATLAG FALLS
Daranak Falls is one of the famous waterfalls in Rizal. The 14-meter high waterfalls is a popular weekend getaway place for the people in Rizal and even people from the Metro.
It is the perfect sight seeing destination or you can also opt to swim in the crystal blue water in the catch basin or in the river below.
But hidden near the more popular Daranak Falls is Batlag Falls. It is just a 10-minute walk from Daranak. To access the area, you would have to pay an additional PHP100.00. But believe us, the view and the exclusivity is worth it.
Daranak and Batlag Falls are located at Daranak Falls Access Road, Tanay, Rizal
ART & FOOD
Rizal is known for its art, but Rizal’s citizens’ creativity doesn’t stop there, most of their art museums are also spots for good food. Here are a list of some of it.
PINTO ART MUSEUM
Pinto Art Museum sits on 1.3 hectares of land and is owned by Dr. Joven Cuanang. The artworks on display are also from his massive collections. Pinto Art Museum has a total of six galleries with different themes that showcases various art forms from sculptures to paintings made by local artists.
The name museum’s name was derived from the Tagalog word “pinto” that means “door” in English that represents the doors in the museum that opens to different galleries.
Housed in Pinto is Rizal Cafe that showcases good food and coffee as good as the art.
Pinto Art Museum is located at 1 Sierra Madre St., Grand Heights Rd, Antipolo, Rizal.
BALAW BALAW RESTAURANT AND ART GALLERY
Located in Angono, Rizal, Balaw Balaw is a specialty restaurant which is known for serving authentic Filipino cuisine and exotic food offerings such as horse meat, ants, cow balls, carabao meat, and earthworms.
Balaw Balaw is not only a restaurant that serves specialty cuisine, it is also an art gallery that displays works by Perdigon Vocalan. The restaurant started as a painting gallery in 1983 but was later turned into a restaurant by the Vocalan family.
The restaurant is decorated to look like a bahay kubo or the native nipa hut famous in the Philippines.
Try their best seller called Minaluto which is a combination of all their best selling food served in a family-sized bilao good for sharing. But if you’re in an adventurous mood, try their selection of exotic food ranging from Soup No. 5 to Rose Petal Tempura.
Balaw Balaw Restaurant is located at Doña Justa Street, Angono, Rizal.
CRESCENT MOON CAFÉ
Crescent Moon Cafe is a pottery studio turned homey restaurant owned by master potter, Lanelle Abueva-Fernando’s daughters Majalya and Celine. It specializes in Southeast Asian cuisine. An a la carte menu is available on weekdays and a lunch buffet is served on weekends. They also host creative workshops at the store.
The adjacent pottery studio is where all the ceramics displayed inside the restaurant are made.
Hertz Insider Tip: You can buy one-of-a-kind plates by the kilo at the storage room of Crescent Moon Cafe. These plates are overruns from orders placed by some of the most famous restaurants, cafes and hotels in the Philippines.
Crescent Moon Cafe is located at L. Sumulong Memorial Circle, Sitio Parugan, Dalig, Antipolo, Rizal.