I am really surprised to say that for more than 30 years of having lived in Antipolo City, having to
create an interesting blog of my experience in staying there is a bit of a
challenge. While most of the time I
would stay home to either play, study or work out my daily chores, there were
some times where I tried to explore the Poblacion area walking around to get a
feel of the place and see what it offers apart from the usual day at home. Having to write this blog though enables me to go
back and recall what it was like living here at my place of
birth:
Antipolo City is a popular
pilgrimage site as it is called the “Pilgrimage Capital of the Philippines”. Yearly, from the evening of April 30,
pilgrimage walks taking around five to eight hours are made by devotees to the
Shrine of our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage go as far as from Quiapo Church in
Manila in order to seek forgiveness or fulfillment for a dream.
It is known also as “Alay Lakad” which commemorates the transfer of the holy image from its sanctuary in Quiapo Church to Antipolo after the Philippines was freed from Japanese invaders.
Having to walk with all these
pilgrims coming all points of access towards the city cathedral and from
barangays nearby my house, I find it less tiresome for most of us as we were
able to talk and share the whole experience minding of the traffic and headache
all of us were creating as we filled up all the major streets.
The city filled up with
pilgrims often have to weave through a lot of tricycles lining up wherever
groups of people are found to offer the convenience of its transport services.
After completing our pilgrimage walk, we, along with the other people who were able to reach the destination and complete the mass, would always find the time to visit the famous pasalubong center located near the Antipolo Cathedral. Having walked for a some kilometers, looking for ready to eat snacks to end the pilgrimage is never a problem.
I could recall
20 years back where pasalubong vendors were literally scattered throughout the entire
stretch of the streets near the Cathedral.
Today the local pasalubong vendors are still scattered throughout the
area but some of which were now provided with the accessible pasalubong area
where various local product and native treats and products are sold (although a
lot of local vendors are still found hugely scattered within the surrounding
vicinity).
Antipolo’s
suman (sticky rice cake) is also called “suman sa Ibos”, an unsweetened sticky
rice (malagkit) wrapped in softened coconut or banana leaves.
For an added
treat, the suman can always be paired up with manga and ice cream perfect for
afternoon snack or dessert. Prices for suman ranges from Php35 per bundle (3-4
pieces depending on size) discounted at Php100 for 3 bundles. See how this
native delicacy is made by a local producer as documented by a blogger in his
blog site: http://breadnbuttertv.wordpress.com/2011/09/24/suman-making-at-kasoy-in-antipolo-city/
The Antipolo
kasoy is also a pasalubong snack favourite which was previously available only
in “binusa” (dry roasted).
Today, other variants such as
adobo, salted, spicy and garlic flavours are also available. Kasoy can be
purchased for Php 500- Php600 per kilo but can still be given discount
depending on volume purchased.
Among the other blog sites I have read, each
was able to recommend his/ her own store as he/she have been a “suki’ (regular
customer) of the same store.
The kalamay or sweet sticky brown colored rice cake. Made from ingredients among which are coconut milk, brown sugar, latik and ground glutinous rice, it is another tasty rice cake variant which can always be a worthy fill for that empty stomach during “merienda” or afternoon breaks.
This you tube
link shows how you can easily make the same kalamay Antipolo delicacy at home: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e19g3Ik9-TQ
Whether it be for the pilgrimage or the unique pasalubong the city has to offer, my Antipolo city experience is something anyone can also take part, enjoy and share.
Support References:
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