While other real estate developers are focusing on their properties south of Manila, Filinvest encourages future home owners to move east to Havila. To showcase what the Province of Rizal has to offer, Havila invited members of the media to tour the Philippine’s art capital: Angono Rizal.
Admittedly, Rizal is not a place I would think to go to. The only time I remember going to Rizal was when we toured the historical churches in Rizal and Laguna ten years ago. I never thought there would be that much art in Rizal. I’m not that cultured, you know? 
First in our itinerary was the house of National Artist, Carlos “Botong” Francisco, on Doña Aurora Street. The house where the National Artist used to live and paint is also the site of his grandson’s Second Gallery. Carlos “Totong” Francisco II welcomed us to his grandfather’s home and told us more about Botong’s art.
Paintings by Botong Fransisco
Doña Aurora Street itself is a great art destination. The street boasts of murals depicting the National Artist’s paintings in cement.
A new mural artist Charlie Anorico is working on.
And in the corner, we saw a colorful wall with the most amazing decoration:
Sa Ugoy ng Duyan
The corner lot was dedicated to National Artist for Music, Lucio San Pedro, who also hails from Angono. The words and melody of his Ugoy ng Duyan, the most recognizable lullaby in the Philippines, is inscribed in concrete, paint and metal work.
Balaw Balaw Specialty Restaurant
After a quick look at the San Clemente Church, we headed on to our lunch destination: the Balaw Balaw Restaurant. Known mainly for its menu of exotic meats (frog, cricket, duck, beetle, cow butts and balls), the restaurant also serves as a gallery for Perdigon Vocalan’s art.
With our tummies full, we walked to the corner for our next stop: the Nemiranda Art House. Housing the Angono School of Arts, the Nemiranda Gallery is headed by artist Nemesio R. Miranda, and the collection includes paintings by his children. We were welcomed by Katrina Miranda Tuazon, who quickly demonstrated how to draw a still life in pastel.
Second and third generation artists
Our last stop in Angono was the Blanco Family Museum. Parents Jose (”Pitok”
and Loring and their seven children are all artists, and their work are all simply astounding. They all follow the school of Realism, and each painting in the gallery are truly remarkable. They capture the character of their subject and are able to clearly express the feelings of each scene.
Victoria at the Blanco Family Museum
Amazing paintings aside, I couldn’t resist taking a photo of these two:
What are you looking at?
We headed out of Angono and drove into Binangonan to see the Angono Petroglyphs. These petroglyphs are the oldest known work of art in the Philippines. Carved out in the rock wall, these petroglyphs are a National Cultural Treasure.
Angono Petroglyphs in Binangonan. The easiest way to get there is through Antipolo. Identity crisis much?
The tour was headed by tour guide extraordinaire, Alan Nativida. An art and history buff, he’s the perfect guide for touring Angono. If you’re interested to commission Alan’s services, you can contact him through his mobile: +63 919 5111610.
A big thanks to Havila for taking me to discover Angono’s rich art culture. I never would have thought to go there if you haven’t invited me.
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