Cainta: The Philippines' Richest Municipality

Cainta: The Philippines' Richest Municipality

             Every Good Friday, under the blistering heat, thousands troop to the town of Cainta in Rizal province to witness the reenactment of the passion and death of the man they call Jesus Christ.  A man garbed in red outfit, with thorns around his head, is whipped as he staggers and falls on the pavement. Cars, buses and jeepneys stop as passengers disembark to watch. And before 3pm of that fateful day, action shifts to the Church's courtyard where the man in red is nailed to the cross. Flanking him are two thieves condemned by authorities.

For the entire Holy Week, calesas or horse-drawn carriages are allowed to transport commuters from Cainta Junction to the town center.

A G-Liner bus stops as the man carrying a heavy wooden cross staggers even as he tries hard to keep his balance.

Jesus Christ falls on his knees.

Playing the role of Jesus Christ for the year 2014 is the same man who acted the part in 2013.

The Crucifixion takes place at the courtyard of Our Lady of  Light Church (Cainta Church).

Officials and soldiers in huddle

 Bad thief is fastened to the wooden cross.

The good thief is next to be tied to the cross.

Jesus Christ is stripped of his clothes.

Jesus Christ is nailed to the cross.

Women close to Jesus Christ wait for their turn.

The Seven Last Words of Jesus Christ

The Bad Thief is Gestas.

The Penitent Thief is Dismas.

It is all over.  Jesus Christ has saved mankind.

The men behind the successful staging of The Passion and Death of Jesus Christ.  At right is Barangay Captain Joy Reyes of Brgy. Sta Rosa.

             On regular days, stores are busy selling goodies or dainties which the locals call Kakanin. One particular store, with a good reputation that has spread far and wide, is Aling Kika's. Ask any Rizaleno and, for sure, he will vouch for the good taste of Aling Kika's products.  The store has made a killing for years selling Bibingkang Malagkit, Cassava Cake, Sapin-Sapin, Suman, Linupak, Puto, etc. Aling Kika's food items are fresh from the kawa or caldron or gridiron and sold at low prices. Aling Kika's is near Cainta Church.

Cassava cake and Bibingkang Malagkit

Puto

Suman

Small size bibingka for takeout

Round bibingka

Freshly cooked

Aling Kika's Maja Blanca

My take out

Tell him your order.

Leche  Flan

Ube or Purple Yam

Sinukmane

Sapin Sapin

Bibingka in plastic container

             Cainta, founded in 1571, is one of the oldest municipalities of the Philippines.  With big industrial firms located within its 4,299 hectares of prime land, Cainta is the country's richest municipality with an annual income of P766,924,602.  It has a population of 311,845, making it the most congested town throughout the Philippines. 

             There are residents near the town proper with striking Indian features as they are direct descendants of Sepoy soldiers who deserted the invading British Army and intermarried with the women of Cainta.

            

The Town Hall of Cainta

Cainta Police Station across the town hall.

Site where the yearly Senakulo is held. Senakulo refers to the stage play of the passion and death of Jesus Christ.


Statue of Andres Bonifacio who was the Supremo of the Katipuneros. The main road at the town proper is named Bonifacio Avenue.


Jose Rizal's monument in front of the town hall.


Statue of Francisco Felix who was the longest serving Mayor of Cainta.



Francisco Felix was mayor from 1945 to 1980.



Plaza Cainta

             In the early days, when the country was under colonial rule, Cainta was deemed a vital and strategic area as it was situated near the banks of a river that leads to Laguna de Bay.  Trade and commerce flourished during that time. 

             Prominent among those who held the reins of leadership, at one time or another, were Don Exequiel Ampil, Francisco Felix and Benjamin Felix. 

              Ampil was the first Presidente Municipal under the American Regime and was considered then as the richest man in Cainta. His vast landholdings encompassed what is now Rosario in Pasig, the areas near Ortigas Avenue Extension, the town proper and extended up to the Valley Golf area. 

               Francisco Felix and Benjamin Felix were father and son who served as mayors for a long, long time. Incumbent mayor is Atty. Johnielle Keith Nieto who has made significant inroads in the area of local governance.

Don Exequiel Ampil was the first Presidente Municipal during the American Regime.  He was considered then as the richest man in Cainta.

Like his father Francisco, Ben Felix served as mayor of Cainta for a long time.

Present mayor of Cainta is Hon. Johnielle Keith Nieto.

            Today, first-class subdivisions have sprouted in Cainta. Filinvest East, Eastville, Town and Country, Greenpark, Vista Verde, Village East, among others, are located in Cainta. 

             Its major roads are Ortigas Avenue Extension, Imelda Avenue (now F. Felix Ave) and Bonifacio Avenue. Sta. Lucia Mall, Robinson's Place, Q- Plaza, Macro, Puregold are doing good in Cainta. 

              The town of Cainta is progressing by leaps and bounds. No doubt about it. It is as clear as sunlight.

- Konted

Parola is a commercial district at the town proper of Cainta.

One of three Puregold outlets in Cainta

Savemore is at Ardi Commercial Center.  It is operated by the SM Group of Companies.

One of several Mercury drug stores in Cainta.  It is located along Bonifacio Avenue.

South Star Drugstore at Ardi Commercial Center

Along Bonifacio Avenue at the town proper

Near the Big Church

There is a cluster of stalls selling Lechon on Sundays and holidays near Cainta Church. Mang Lino is one of the first lechoneros of Cainta.

Mang Bining's Native Lechon is one of several stalls along Bonifacio Avenue.

Sta Lucia East Grand Mall is at the corner of Marcos Highway and Felix Avenue( formerly Imelda Avenue).

The Welcome Arch at Felix Avenue (formerly Imelda Ave.)  Felix Avenue connects Marcos Highway to Ortigas Avenue Extension.

The Q-Plaza across Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall

What were once rice fields in Cainta are now subdivisions with beautiful houses.

Cainta is a relatively peaceful municipality.

Basketball all-time great Allan Caidic honed his basketball skills at Brookside Hills Subdivision along Ortigas Avenue Extension in Cainta, Rizal.

Former PBA player and coach Rino Salazar, who is now based in Alaska, U.S.A., is originally from Cainta, Rizal. Rudy Hines, who played for the  Utex Wranglers and Letran Knights, is also from Cainta.

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