The city of Antipolo was recognized as the most visited town in the province of Rizal for 2021, Antipolo City Mayor Jun Ynares announced on Sunday, Oct. 23

According to Ynares, the city was proclaimed by the Department of Tourism (DOT) Region IV-A as the Top 1 Tourist Destination in the whole province of Rizal in the recently concluded 1st Gawad Sikat Rizal which coincides with the 10th Tourism Fair and National Tourism Week celebration held at Robinsons Antipolo.

The DOT said that 75 percent of the overall tourist arrivals in the province visit the city.

During the fair, the city government also showcased the different products proudly made in the city and held performances for the attendees.

"Kaya’t laking pasasalamat sa ating Antipolo City Culture, Arts, and Tourism Promotions Office at sa iba pang mga kawani at departamento sa inyong pagsusumikap upang makamit natin ang nasabing parangal (I would like to express my gratitude to the Antipolo City Culture, Arts, and Tourism Promotions Office as well as the other city government officials and departments for their hard work to achieve this feat)," Ynares said.

Being rich in history, most especially in terms of religious sites and artifacts, the city prides itself as the "Pilgrimage Capital of the Philippines".

The Marian image of the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage or the Virgin of Antipolo, which was brought in from Mexico in 1626 and enshrined in the Antipolo Cathedral, has a continuous following among Catholics since the Spanish colonial era.

A popular custom of pilgrimages to the Virgin of Antipolo is the trek going to its shrine on the eves of Good Friday and May 1, from various locations in Rizal and Metro Manila.

The most notable of these pilgrimages would begin the trek from the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene (Quiapo Church), in Quiapo, Manila following the procession of the image.

There is also an existing custom to have new vehicles blessed at the church in the belief that this will ensure the safety of the car and its passengers. The shrine is also visited by outgoing Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to ensure their success abroad.

The city’s higher elevation affords it a scenic view of Metro Manila, especially at night.

Aside from its breathtaking sites and pilgrimage areas, Antipolo's locally grown mangoes and cashews are also popular among tourists, as well as suman – a local delicacy made out of glutinous rice.

3rd most competitive city in PH

Aside from being the top tourist destination in Rizal, Antipolo City was also recognized as the 3rd Most Competitive Component City in the country in the 10th Cities and Municipalities Competitive Summit spearheaded by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).

"Tagumpay at karangalan na naman ito ng bawat Antipolenyo at ng bawat kawani sa Antipolo City Government dahil ito ang bunga ng ating sikap at husay pagdating sa Economic Dynamism, Government Efficiency, Infrastructure, Resiliency, Innovation at serbisyong may malasakit (This award brings success and recognition to every Antipolenyo and employee of the city government because this is the result of our hard work in terms of Economic Dynamism, Government Efficiency, Infrastructure, Resiliency, Innovation, and public service with care)," Ynares said.

The summit uses the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) which is an annual ranking of Philippine cities and municipalities developed by the National Competitiveness Council through the Regional Competitiveness Committees (RCCs) with the assistance of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).