- LillY blog

DISCOVER TANAY, RIZAL: A TRUE ADVENTURE EXPERIENCE

Source: Municipal Tourism Office Flyer
Image courtesy of Sirs Rexadel Valle and Rommel Buhayo

Hane! Bisitahin ang Tanay!

Today, Tanay is one of the thirteen towns and one component city which comprise the province of Rizal. Located 54KM away southeast of Manila. Tanay is the major agricultural and commercial center of eastern Rizal.

BRIEF HISTORY OF TANAY

Long before the coming of Spaniards, Tanay was already settled by early Indonesian and Malay Voyagers. Artifacts dug up attest to the existence of these early settlements. Not long after the conquest and subjugation of Manila and the surrounding lake areas by Salcedo in 1571, Franciscan missionaries arrived to Christianize the inhabitants of what is now the Morong-Pililla area. From Morongan, the priest administered Tanay and other chapel villages and ranches. In 1773, construction of the now famous Tanay Church was begun and was finished 10 years later.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

Tanay Church

Tanay Church is one of the 26 churches nationwide chosen by the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts as national heritage sites. It is one of the oldest churches in Rizal and holds many centuries old religious artifacts. It is also one of the Jubilee churches in the Philippines.

Daranak Falls

Daranak Falls is one of the flagship destinations of Tanay and is a popular summer getaway for locals and tourists from in and out of the country.

Regina Rica (Regina Rosarii Institute for Contemplation on Asia)Regina Rica is a fourteen hectares sanctuary for Dominican Sisters of Regina Rosarii. It has three waterfalls, a creek and over 10,000 trees, But it is the 71 foot statue of Queen of the Holy Rosary stands as the main landmark of the place.

Tanay Lakeshore and ParolaThe Tanay Lakeshore and its Parola provides a grand view of the lake and mountains. Most of the Tanay folks visit the area in early mornings for the cool breeze and warm morning sun. At night, Parola is the guardian angel of the fisher-folks.

Kalinawan/Calinawan Cave

Calinawan Cave is a 20-minute drive from Daranak Falls. The hill where the cave is located is called Rawang. which have been strongholds of Filipino resistance fighters against the colonizers.

Masungi Rock Formation

Masungi Rock is a mountain rock formation that the Tanay folks call "Palanas". It is ideal for mountain climbing. Mountaineers can explore the area. Campsites are available at the base of the mountain.

Daraitan River

Daraitan River was awarded as the cleanest inland body of water in Region IV and a finalist for the national competition. It is an ideal site for mountaineers, backpackers and trekkers.

Kinabuan Falls

Kinabuan Falls is located in Barangay Sta. Ines and is an ideal destination for mountaineers who are looking for perfect adventure to trek. There are several shallow rivers and streams to cross that added to the thrill of trekking.

MayagayMayagay is located at scenic Barangay Cuyambay, it provides a stunning view of Sierra Madre mountains that stretches for miles, giving serenity and peace of mind to visitors. The cool breeze blowing from the mountains provide a relief to weary soul.

Tinipak River

Tinipak with its beautiful rock formation has splendid naturally sculptured marble formations that look like they have been chiseled or blasted by a machine, a favored place for fans of 4x4 drive and trekkers.

Holy Cross ChapelHoly Cross Chapel in Bukal is flocked by tourists and people from the neighboring towns to attend mass in the chapel, take a healing bath from the natural spring and gather fallen leaves of the oldest teak tree in the Philippines which is known to cure many ailments.

Grotto

Grotto features the shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary encamped in a manmade stone cavern beauteously set in panoramic view. On the top, a pilgrim is treated not only with a holy commune with the Almighty but also a breath-taking view of Tanay and Laguna Lake.

OTHER PLACES OF INTEREST

1. Falls

Cayabu Falls
Mamuyao Falls
Pupot Falls
May-Sawa Falls
Tuntong Falls

2. Caves and Mountains

Cayabu Cave
Sangab Cave
Bat Cave
Mt. Irid
Mt. Daraitan

3. Rivers/Springs

Sangab River
Daong River
Dambuhalang Ilog
Lanatin River
Salang Matanda
Paglitaw Spring

4. Chapels

Kalinawan/Rawang
Divine Mercy
Black Madonna
Mt. Carmel Monastery

5. Agri-Eco Sites

2ID Herbal Garden
Materials Recovery Facility
URS Agri-Lab
Garden Cottages
Slaughter House
BFAR/BSWM

6. Other Facilities

Haven for the Elderly
NTSB/NCIP

OTHER ACTIVITIES

Mountain Climbing
Boating/Kayaking
Rubber Tubing/River Rafting
Air gun Fishing/Fish Spa
River Trekking
Rappelling/Zip Lining
Hanging Bridge
Caving/Spelunking
Bird Watching/Kite Flying
Trail Running/Bike Trail
Speed boarding/Skate boarding
Charcoal Briquetting
4x4 Driving
Team Building
Stargazing

ARTS, CULTURE AND TRADITION

Hanes Festival

The annual Hane Festival is the commemoration of the Mucipality of Tanay's Founding Anniversary. It is an agri-eco-tourism, arts and cultural exhibition in one, showcasing Tanay's vibrant tourism, abundant agricultural produce, healthy and sustainable environment, rich arts and culture, and amiable people. It derived its name from an ordinary expression of Tanayan ("hane") which is used to seek one's agreetment.

Rodeo FestivalTo promote and market the town's cattle and agri-eco tourism not only within the municipality but also in the CALABARZON region, the Municipal Government of Tanay holds Tanay Rodeo Festival every 25-26 of January of each year.

TRAVEL AND ADVENTURE

Flying Colors Tours and Services
Eastern Pacific Travel and Tours
Jungle Base (4x4 Activity)
Tanay Adventure Camp
Sacrament Adventure Camp2ID HQ (Jungle Fighters)

DINING, ACCOMODATIONS AND RESORTS

1. Restaurants

Kainan sa Tabing Lawa
Tanayan
Julia B. Vista (Halamanan)
Paseo Rizal-Mayagay
Veranda Jovita
Basnigan/Saru-Saru sa Kamalig
Kata CafeMang Inasal
Chowking
Jollibee
Chinz' Grill

2. Resorts and Hotels

Tanay Epic Parc Rainforest Camp
Pranjetto Hills
Momarco
JE Camp
Sampaloc Inn
Keno's Lodge
Ten Cents to Heaven
Bakasyunan
Sierra Madre
Villa Rosita Penaranda
Sacramento Midtown Condioment

SPECIAL EVENTS

San Ildefonso de Toledo Feast - Jan 22-24
Tanay Rodeo Festival - Jan (3rd Week)
Serenata/Brand Bass Competition - Jan 22/24
Choral Competition - Feb (2nd Week)
Mass Valentines Party - Feb 14
Concert at the Park - Feb (4th Week)
Skateboarding and Trail Running - Mar (3rd Week)
Pilgrimage to Regina RICA - March 31
Holy Week Activities - Apr 13-19
Visita Iglesia - Apr (3rd Week)
Boat-Rowing and Kite Flying Competitions - Apr (4th Week)
Flores De Mayo/Santa Cruzan - May 1-31
Holy Cross Feast - May (2nd Monday)
Photography Contest - May (3rd Week)
Fruits Festival - May (4th Week)
Independence Day - Jun 12
Trail Running - Jun (2nd Week)
Sweets and Pastries Showcase - Jund (3rd Week)
Poster Making and T-Shirt Design Contest - Jul (2nd Week)
Cake Decoration and Gateau Making Contest - Jul (3rd Week)
Sabayang Pagbigkas, Poem and Essay Writing Competitions - Aug (3rd Week)
Tourism Seminars - Sept 1-30
Tour Guiding Contest and Mr. and Ms. Tourism - Sept (3rd Week)
Trail Running - Sept (3rd Week)
Biggest Tree Planting - Sept 26
Animal Month Celebraton/Dog Show - Oct 4
Jingle Writing and AVP Making Contests - Oct (4th Week)St. Jude Thaddeus Feast - Oct 28
Oplan Kaluluwa - Nov 1-2
Hane Festival - Nov 8-12
Lantern, Christmas Tree and Newspaper Belen Competitions - Nov (3rd Week)
Speedboarding - Dec (1st Week)
LGBT Activities - Dec (2nd Week)
Trail Running - Dec (2nd Week)
Balikbayan Get-together - Dec (3rd Week)
Christmas Kantata - Dec (4th Week)
Rizal Day - Dec 30

IMPORTANT CONTACT NUMBERS

Mayor's Office: 6541002/6552195 loc 230
Tourism Office: 7361059/6551773 loc 213
Tanay Library: 6552983 loc 212
Tanay PNP: 6931341/6549347
Environment Office: 65522441 loc 240

HOW TO GET THERE

There are many vans and jeepneys plying from Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong or in Sta. Lucia in Cainta, also in Antipolo that go through Tanay. Travel time is around 45 minutes and an hour (from Shaw Blvd.). For those with private vehicles, the most convinient way is get a road map of Rizal beforehand. To go through the waterfalls of Tanay and other tourist areas, you may visit the Tanay Tourism Office (or call 7361059) for information and assistance. Tanay Transportation Group (09989881590/09174758790) has vans, tricycles or jeepneys located at the public market that are available for rent to take you to your choice of destination and back.a