Tayo na sa Antipolo
At doo'y maligo tayo
Sa batis na kung tawagin
Ay hi-hi-hinulugang taktak
A tour of Antipolo in the Rizal Province would not be complete without a visit to its most famous tourist attraction, immortalized in the folk song “Tayo na sa Antipolo.”
This landmark is called Hinulugang Taktak, a scenic waterfall located in a national park that covers 3.2 hectares of land. It is considered the second most popular national park, following the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center.
Fancy a visit to this celebrated natural wonder? Here are some fun facts to regale your companions with during your trip:
1. What’s in a name?
If you ever wondered how the waterfall got its name, Hinulugang Taktak literally means “where the bell was dropped.” Legend has it that a giant bell was dropped into the waterfall by the townspeople during the Philippine Revolution to prevent it from being taken by the Spanish colonial authorities.
Our ancestors sure knew how to stick it to the colonizers, didn’t they?
2. Protection and rehabilitation
The waterfall was declared a National Park in 1933, making it one of the oldest protected areas in the Philippines.
It used to be a popular swimming spot for locals and tourists (hence the mention in the song). However, due to pollution, the waterfall was closed to the public in 2000 for rehabilitation.
The rehabilitation efforts proved to be successful, and the waterfall was reopened in 2018. Today, visitors can enjoy the newly renovated park, which features a picnic area, walking trails, and viewing decks.
In 2018, Hinulugang Taktak was declared a Ramsar site, which is a wetland area of international importance. The designation recognizes the importance of the waterfall and its surrounding ecosystem for biodiversity conservation.
It is home to at least eleven species of trees and to various wildlife.
The waterfall is also a popular spot for birdwatching. The park is home to several bird species, including the Philippine bulbul, the olive-backed sunbird, and the Philippine pygmy woodpecker.
3. Onscreen appearances
Hinulugang Taktak has been featured in several Filipino movies and television shows, one of which is the 1947 black and white film “Himala ng Birhen sa Antipolo” topbilled Rosa del Rosario and Rogelio dela Rosa.
It has also been featured on various talk shows such as Kris TV and Byahe ni Drew.
4. Closing, rehabilitation and reopening
To stem the degradation of the falls from pollution, it was designated as a national park in September 1990, and it became a protected landscape in November 2000.
As the river itself was deemed unsafe for swimming due to accumulated water pollution, a nearby pool was constructed for swimmers.
An oil spill in 2015 forced the closure of the park for eleven days and the intensification of efforts to rehabilitate it.
After rehabilitation, it reopened on February 13, 2020 with new recreational activities installed which include a spider web platform, canopy walk, rappelling and a wall climbing facility.
5. Get in for free!
That’s right: you and your friends can visit the park for free: there’s no entrance fee and no need for reservation.
The recreational activities are also free to use on a first-come, first-served basis to park visitors fourteen years old and older. Here are a few safety reminders:
- No pets allowed
- Guests are advised to wear pants or shorts (no dress or skirts) as well as closed shoes (sandals, doll shoes, high-heeled shoes, adjustable crocs and bicycle shoes not allowed)
The following activities are strictly prohibited inside the park:
- Cutting, destroying or picking of plants
- Any act of vandalism
- Hunting of gamebirds and other animals
- Littering and smoking
- Carrying of firearms and deadly weapons
- Collecting insects
- Drinking alcoholic beverages
- Unauthorized selling of any kinds of goods
- Any form of gambling
So if you’re in the Antipolo area, don’t miss the opportunity to wonder at nature and the great outdoors as well as immerse yourself in local history and culture at Hinulugang Taktak!
Hinulugang Taktak Nature & Adventure Park is located along Daang Bakal Road, Sitio Taktak, Barangay Dela Paz, Antipolo, Rizal.
The park is open Tuesdays to Sundays from 7am to 4pm.
Check out my previous posts about Antipolo attractions:
Jellybeans in the City 