A great portion of the town of Tanay consists of mountainous areas that form part of the vast Sierra Madre mountain range. While the town center is near Laguna de Bay, several barangays are located in the mountains. People residing in these far-flung areas plant crops and raise animals for food or to sell in the market, making Tanay an agricultural town.
To reach these mountainous areas, the normal route is through the Manila East Road and as one reaches an intersection near the town proper, he turns left towards Sampaloc Road. From there, the ascent begins. But there is another way to get to the mountain top. And this is through the Marikina-Infanta Road, which is also known as Marcos Highway. From Quezon City, this route is shorter and more accessible.
The Marikina-Infanta Road was built in the '70s specifically to connect Metro Manila to Infanta, Quezon where a port was being established. Though there are still some areas in the Laguna part of the road that need to be asphalted or cemented, the Manikina-Infanta Road is now considered as one of the most beautiful highways throughout the Philippines. The construction of this road is an engineering feat as it rivals that of Baguio-Nueva Viscaya Road as to design and beauty.
When one drives through the Boso Boso area in Antipolo City, the picturesque Sierra Madre looms on the horizon. And as the ascent starts, the beauty of the mountains and the countryside becomes more glaring. With reflectorized warning signs at every turn or bend and metal barriers at dangerous cliffs, the traveler gets that safe feeling as he continues to marvel at the natural wonders of the mountains of Tanay.
At Barangay Cuyambay in Tanay, there is a small community. One can see stores selling fruits and vegetables and even gasoline in bottles. In this village where there is cool mountain air, there is a farm solely breeding fighting cocks. And on the shoulders of the highway, horses and cows are grazing, unmindful of passing vehicles. And it is not surprising to see passenger jeepneys loaded with commuters up to the rooftop.
There are several resorts and restaurants as one gets to the summit. Sierra Madre Mountain Resort, Pranjetto, Paseo Rizal to name a few. And a few kilometers away from Cuyambay is Sampaloc, which is perhaps the most populated mountain sitio of Tanay. Sampaloc is the mountain's business center. President Erap's resthouse is located there. Across and a few meters away is the famed Camp Capinpin which is called The Home of the Jungle Fighters.
Travel time from Masinag to Sampaloc is less than an hour. There is no hassle. One breathes clean, fresh air. And there is not much noise up there. People in the mountains are friendly and hospitable. And there are no dangerous elements that pose threat to life and property as there are checkpoints along the way. It is no wonder this highway is a favorite route of cyclists, motorcycle riders and plain travelers. Next weekend, why not drive your car to the mountains of Tanay and find out for yourself what you have been missing all these years. Pronto !!
- Konted
 |
| Boso Boso area in Antipolo City with a good view of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range |
 |
| Upper Antipolo and the quarry site of La Farge in Teresa, Rizal can be seen from the Marikina-Infanta Road. |
 |
| Stretch of the Marikina-Infanta Road in Baras, Rizal |
 |
| Mountain was bulldozed to make way for the construction of the highway. |
 |
| Start of ascent |
 |
| Warning signage. Motorcycle riders on their way home |
 |
| Reflectorized signages to guide motorists |
 |
| Palo Alto is a residential and leisure farm developed by Sta Lucia Realty Corp. It is located near the Tanay-Baras-Antipolo boundary. |
 |
| Approaching another subdivision |
 |
| Garden Cottages is a residential estate along the Marikina Infanta Road being developed by the Blue Star Construction and Development Corporation. It boasts of a nature park. |
 |
| View of the winding road from the gates of Garden Cottages |
 |
| Closer shot. This is part of Barangay Cuyambay in Tanay, Rizal. Elevation here is double that of Tagaytay City. |
 |
| A passenger jeepney descends. |
 |
| A cyclist taking it easy on his way down. |
 |
| Man waits at the bend. |
 |
| A country-style house at Garden Cottages |
 |
| Front garden |
 |
| Guard willingly takes photo. |
 |
| What lies ahead |
 |
| Beautiful landscape by the road |
 |
| Natural rocks at Garden Cottages |
 |
| Stopping by the side of the road for more shots |
 |
| View of the Sierra Madre at the bend |
 |
| A glimpse of Laguna de Bay |
 |
| Nearing the summit |
 |
| Motorcycle rider is homeward bound. |
 |
| Cow grazing on the roadside |
 |
| More cows grazing |
 |
| Another stop, another shot |
 |
| Part of the Marikina-Infanta Road lined with trees |
 |
| Farm solely breeding fighting cocks in Brgy Cuyambay in Tanay, Rizal |
 |
| Picturesque view |
 |
| Native horse near the road in Brgy Cuyambay |
 |
| Gasoline in bottles for sale |
 |
| Native bananas for sale |
 |
| Gingers for sale in another store in Brgy Cuyambay |
 |
| Gabi or Taro |
 |
| More gingers and bananas |
 |
| Niyog or coconut |
 |
| Store owner Aling Emma gamely poses in Barangay Cuyambay. |
 |
| Another view of Laguna de Bay |
 |
| Feeder road at Brgy Cuyambay leading to the farms |
 |
| Way to the Dept of Agriculture station in Cuyambay, Tanay, Rizal |
 |
| Closer view of Laguna de Bay |
 |
| :Lush greens of mountains beyond mountains |
 |
| Sierra Madre Mountain Resort |
 |
| Sierra Madre Mountain Resort is planted with a wide variety of trees. |
 |
| Standard pool at the resort |
 |
| Sayote (Chayote), Chico (Sapodilla), Kalabasa (Squash), & Kamote (Sweet Potato) being sold at a small store in Sitio Malagay |
 |
| Sitaw (String Beans), Upo (White Squash), Kamoteng Kahoy & Ube (Purple Yam) |
 |
| Ginger (Luya) |
 |
| Young girl tending the store answers: Malapit na ho ang Sampaloc. Naka kotse naman kayo. |
 |
| Taking my snack of one footlong hot dog sandwich at the mountain top |
 |
| Footlong Hot Dog Sandwich |
 |
| Beautiful Gumamela or Rosemallow. In Spanish, it is called Flor de Jamaica. |
 |
| View of the mountains of Rizal, Laguna and Quezon |
 |
| Excellent road condition |
 |
| Wild sunflowers |
 |
| Another stop, another shot |
 |
| Natural wonders |
 |
| Paseo Rizal offers native cuisine. It is located at Sitio Mayagay. |
 |
| Bungang China or Native Palm for sale in Tanay |
 |
| Native Anahaw or Anahaw Palm also for sale |
 |
| Another horse by the road |
 |
| Pranjetto Hills Hotel and Resort is situated at Sito Mayagay, Brgy Sampaloc in Tanay, Rizal. It has a swimming pool and function rooms for seminars and weddings. |
 |
| Busy intersection at Brgy Sampaloc in Tanay, Rizal |
 |
| President Erap's resthouse in Sampaloc, Tanay where he was placed under house arrest. |
 |
| Pres. Erap's resthouse is now a resort. |
 |
| Across and a few meters away from Pres. Erap's resthouse is Camp Capinpin which is known as The Home Of The Junglefighters. |
 |
| Sipping coffee under the cool shade of mango trees |
 |
| Another store selling fruits and vegetables in Sampaloc |
 |
| Sampaloc Inn |
 |
| Iglesia Ni Cristo in Sampaloc |
 |
| One of two gasoline stations in Sampaloc |
 |
| International Peace Leadership College compound along the Marikina-Infanta Road in Brgy Sampaloc, Tanay, Rizal. It is a theological seminary. |
 |
| There is a majestic view wherever you go. |
 |
| Stopping to feel the cool breeze |
 |
| Near the Bureau of Plant Industry station |
 |
| St. Scholastica's Compound along the highway |
 |
| Man walks towards the next sitio. |
 |
| Barriers at dangerous cliffs |
 |
| No overtaking near the bend |
 |
| Warning signage of falling rocks |
 |
| There are falling rocks after a heavy rain or during the rainy season. |
 |
| Rider accelerating speed on his way up |
 |
| Police outpost in Brgy Cuyambay |
 |
| Another warning signage at a dangerous portion of the highway |
| 
