The Department of Tourism – Region IV-A, led by Regional Director Marites Castro, shone a spotlight on Rizal Province through the “Pasyal sa Rizal” tour which visited the best tourism spots in Rizal.
DOT-Region IV-A officials, along with provincial and local tourism officers, tour operators, media and content creators get a glimpse of the best the province has to offer.
The first stop was the municipality of Montalban, where participants discovered the unique natural and cultural treasures of the town, including the contributions of the Dumagat Remontado tribe, who showcased their traditional dances, music, and products.
Next, the municipality of San Mateo welcomed guests in the Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Aranzazu, where the history of the church was showcased, and participants were given the opportunity to pray to the miraculous Virgin Mary.
The town celebrates the Kakanin Festival every September and treated the visitors to a variety of famous rice delicacies such as kutsinta, sapin-sapin, biko, and more.
Taytay, the Garments Capital of the Philippines, highlighted its iconic Tiangge, now also a night market which accommodated the high demand from tourists and shoppers.
Participants of the tour then visited Antipolo City’s famous Hinulugang Taktak, a protected landscape managed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Provincial Government.
The participants then toured the Antipolo Cathedral, an International Shrine, which reflects Antipolo City’s pride in being the Pilgrimage Capital of the Philippines.
The next day, the municipality of Angono showcased the beauty and vibrancy of its art and culture through the display of Higantes.
Participants visited the house of Carlos ‘Botong’ Francisco, National Artist for Visual Arts, and his grandson, Carlos ‘Totong’ Francisco, as well as the Nemiranda Arthouse, owned by the renowned painter Nemesio ‘Nemi’ Miranda Jr., and the Angono-Binangonan Petroglyphs.
Next stop was Baras which showed its culture and traditions through the demonstration of Sikaran, a martial arts form that originated in the town, as well as the karakol and turumba dances, which are believed to grant wishes. They also featured one of the oldest churches in the Philippines, the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Saint Joseph, which was established 338 years ago.
Finally, the participants capped off the Pasyal sa Rizal experience with the breathtaking views and landscapes of Tanay, Rizal. The tour closed with the municipalities of Cardona, Pililla, Morong, and Jalajala showcasing their local products, highlighting the importance of Rizal province’s history, culture, and nature.
The Pasyal sa Rizal strengthened the tourism sector by introducing the unique destinations, products, and traditions of each town. Rizal is more than just a weekend getaway because it has a lot to offer from breathtaking landscapes, historical and culture-rich municipalities, artistic museums, scrumptious foods and hospitable people.