Konted's Make My Day 2: The Highway Overlooking The Metropolis

The Highway Overlooking The Metropolis

I still remember the year. It was in 1973 when we moved to Antipolo, Rizal from Sta. Mesa Heights in Quezon City. It was 6 months after the declaration of martial law. Moving elsewhere was just an idea being floated when the Chinese owner of a drug store near our place approached my father, made an offer, and in a few days, paid for the house in cash.

Antipolo then, specifically the lower portion, was a quiet place where residents of nearby areas would hold their picnics on special days. Some would go bird hunting. Big trees thrived in the area. There was a clean, little stream in what was known then as Penafrancia. There was still no Marcos Highway in those days and the only road to Antipolo, aside from the Ortigas Avenue route, was through Sumulong Highway. It was partly asphalt pavement and partly dirt road.

Almost forty years after, Lower Antipolo is heavily congested. Subdivisions have sprouted and the hilly, rocky portions going to Cogeo have been invaded by informal settlers. Heavy traffic is a daily occurrence in the Masinag junction. During rush hours, traffic can extend up to Cherry Foodarama, up to La Colina and down to Filinvest Subdivision.

A saving grace is the full development of Sumulong Highway. This highway, named after Senator Don Juan Sumulong, is now well paved up to the city proper of Antipolo. Fine bars and restaurants line this major thoroughfare which provides a commanding view of the Metropolis. Such positive development is partly attributed to Congressman Robbie Puno.

Some of the notable restaurants along that stretch where you begin to ascend are Cafe Lupe, Grilla, Padi's Point, Cloud Nine and The House of Kare Kare. House of Kare Kare, of course, offers the best Oxtail dish and another best selling item is Pinaputok Na Pla Pla.

At the Circumferential Road near the City Proper, Calleza Grill is lording it over its competitors as its gross sales exceed even that of Metrowalk. This is in terms of beer consumption. Calleza Grill also serves Crispy Pata, Sinigang na Hipon and Sizzling Squid. This bar and grill resto is filled to the rafters even on weekdays.

Antipolo City has gone a long way. It has reached almost total development as migration tends to go eastward. SM Masinag, Cherry Foodarama and Shopwise have put up branches in the city. Schools have tripled, hospitals have been built in strategic locations and other commercial establishments have deemed it wise to do business in Antipolo. Living in Antipolo City for almost 40 years, I see no need to travel far. I can do everything right here. Right in my own backyard !!

- Konted

La Veranda, situated along Sumulong Highway in Antipolo City, is the weekend residence of the Concepcions.

La Veranda has a commanding view of several Rizal towns and of Metro Manila.

Pine Trees abound in the vast estate of the Concepcions.

A partial view from the ridge

Alpadi is owned by the family of former Senator Ambrosio Padilla.

Padi's Point is part of the Alpadi Estate.

Friday night is acoustic night at Padi's Point. It provides a good view of Metro Manila especially at nighttime.

Entrance to Cloud Nine Hotel and Resort

Cloud Nine is along Sumulong Highway in Antipolo City.

You are on top of the world at Cloud Nine.

Entrance to Don Eugenio Lepez Center along Sumulong Highway. The Center is a venue for corporate seminars. The place is about 850 feet above sea level.

Telecommunication site inside Don Eugenio Lopez Center

Another view from the ridge

Night View (G file)

Sumulong Highway gate of Valley Golf & Country Club

Grilla is opposite Valley Golf & Country Club's entrance at Sumulong Highway.

Cafe Lupe serves good Mexican cuisine. It is located at the right side of Sumulong Highway as you begin your ascent.

View from Cafe Lupe

House of Kare Kare is on the left side of Sumulong Higway before the ascent to Antipolo.

Welcome sign

Placing orders while consulting the waiter

Oxtail Stew (Kare Kare)

Pinaputok na Pla Pla stealing the thunder

Crispy Pata

White rice

Tranquility fountain

There is a College of San Benildo along Sumulong Highway.

Hollywood Terraces condominium is beside Fatima Medical School.

Entry point of Blue Mountains Subdivision

A memorial park on top of the mountain

View of Quezon City and several northeastern towns of Rizal

Metro View Subdivision used to be a seminary in the 60s and 70s.

Main gate of Town And Country Executive Village along Marcos Highway

Vermont Royale is on the left side of Marcos Highway going to Masinag.

Main gate of Filinvest East along Marcos Highway

Branch of Wilcon at Marcos Highway in Antipolo

Wilcon provides all your home needs at low prices.

SM Masinag along Marcos Highway

Tis the season to be jolly

Approaching the Sumulong Highway- Marcos Highway intersection

This intersection is more commonly known as the Masinag Intersection. Masinag Markert is in background.

One moonlit night in 1983, with all 4 family members on board my slightly used Colt Mirage, a speeding owner-type jeep with a drunk driver and some passengers rammed the Mirage from behind with a force so strong that it turned turtle. It was several hundred meters away from Masinag Market. As I was pulling my 2nd son Allen from the wreckage, he did not want to leave the car and was saying: "Hanap ko pa ang Bubble Gum ko." Miraculously, no one was hurt. I bought that car from classmate Francis Roldan.