Showing posts with label Rizal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rizal. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Silangan Gardens: Pinto Art Museum of Antipolo, Rizal


Though I don't have a talent for arts, I can say, I do have a huge interest and appreciation for it. I've been eagerly wanting to visit an art museum located in Antipolo City after hearing raving reviews about the place from the blog community and friends. The museum is named as Pinto Art Museum (PAM). However, due to my piled up personal commitments, plans of going there has always been put aside and on-hold. But last weekend, as the sun settled high on the blue skies, I decided to bring my girlfriend and set the site of Pinto Art Museum to be the venue of our post-Valentines date. And I must say that it was definitely a right move.

How to get there?
From Araneta - Cubao [MRT], take an FX ride having a signboard of Antipolo located in the side of Araneta Center. Then just inform the FX driver to drop you off at the "kanto" of Ynares. It is a 40-minute ride and costs 50 pesos per head. As you reach the "kanto" of Ynares, take a tricycle going to Grand Heights (a subdivision where Pinto Art Museum is situated). Let know your driver that you are heading to Pinto Art Museum and they'll take you there in no time. The museum has been a popular destination on the area that most of the local drivers of Antipolo knew the museum very well. Tricycle ride is 40 pesos (one-way - it is not per head but per ride) and will only take 5-7 minutes.

Pinto Art Museum is a space in Antipolo City that houses present day arts worked by different local artists. If you're wondering where does its name comes from, well, "pinto" is a Tagalog word for door as this place is open for all types of contemporary art form.

Entrance of Pinto Art Museum
Going back to my visit, as I set my feet on the entrance of Pinto Art Museum and looked at it from the outside, I would never have thought that the other side of their small door is a 1.2 hectare property which cages over 300 art pieces, installations and sculptures. The simplicity of their entrance is far way beyond of what's inside.

As we went inside Pinto Art Museum, we were greeted by Mr. Andy Orencio which is the resident gardener slash one of the contributor of the museum. Yup, he's one of the brilliant artist whose paintings are displayed in this place. After the warm welcome, he directed us to the registration area and paid 150 pesos each for the entrance fee. He then gave us 2 pieces of papers which is a map. After some chitchat with Mr. Orencio, our exploration to Pinto Art Museum began.

Shot outside Pinto Cafe
I love shooting her on frames
Me and my girlfriend were actually jumping because of our excitement as we tour the place. Take note, we were still near the entrance yet we can't stop to fall in love with each other with the place. Aside from the massive collection of paintings and sculptures, Pinto Art Museum is also a huge garden with lots of art pieces placed perfectly around it. I was blown away with the ambiance and the architectural structure of PAM. Every detail of this place were well thought -- the white museum wings, the antique doors and windows, the chapel, its pond, even the rooftops... I mean all of them!

Chapel inside Pinto Art Museum
One of the beautiful hallway
Even the roof top has art pieces and sets
More rooftop shot
Writing this blog post and putting into words my experienced on Pinto Art Museum is really challenging on my part. I am running out of words to describe how beautiful and impressive the place is and most specially the art pieces displayed and hanged on the walls of this museum. I really recommend that you visit Pinto Art Museum and see its elegance for yourself.

Isn't it amazing? :)
"Duminicum Eskulentum" by Emmanuel Garibay
One of the wire art pieces of that room
Typical scene in the street
This is really amazing in-person
Mother Nature
"We are here together forever until the world will be verge of sorrow" by Constantino Zicarelli
"Katapusan" by Jerson Samson
Although I have seen Pinto Art Museum on different blog niches, seeing it in personal still makes me go WOW. It is a haven for photography. Every corner of this place is shutter click worthy.

Small figurines in the garden
With the beauty this place holds, I was not surprised when I saw couples doing their shoots for prenup in the garden of PAM. Of course we didn't yielded with those couples and did our own version of prenup. Self timer mode, run, then pose... whuuwalah! Instant "pacute" shots!

She read... I don't
Lets go Baby ko!
I smell love in this shot
Where should we eat po? 
It took us 9 frames to get this shot
Test Shot at the entrance of PAM
Lets get inside?
Bedtime story...
We also know how to have some fun!
Crazy, not Stupid and super Inlove!
Paintings are located into different wings. Each wing is interesting and has an entertaining room. Every room in Pinto Art Museum never failed to amaze me. The "Usapang Babae room, the "Forest Room", the downward hallway with impressive paintings on the its side, the "Panalo (swim, bike, run)” painting, the room that holds a colossal 480-inch long x 144-inch wide mural entitled “Karnabal” and more!

"Panalo (swim, bike, run)”
Biggest mural i saw! 
See how big it is?
Natural light hitting her beautifully
Creepiest room I've been to in my 24 years of existence!!!

By the way, there is also a cafe inside Pinto Art Museum. It is located right after Museum 2. Its a bit pricey so I suggest to packed your own food as you visit the museum.

Their menu is named, "Siraulo". I was curious about its name because it means crazy mind in Tagalog so I asked the attendant why their menu is named like that. She answered me that its name was given by Dr. Joven Cuanang, a neurologist slash gallery owner. Dr. Cuanang believes that intense people or crazy minded people have the most artistic mind. Having said that by a highly-accomplished neurologist, well I guess I am an artist myself. Lol! Or am I an exception and just plainly crazy! Haha

Feels like home...
Pinto Cafe from the outside
We stayed at Pinto Art Museum for more than 3 hours and I didn't feel bored during our stay. With the energy I have that day, I wish this place is a 4 or 5 hectares property because I wanted to see more. More paintings and art pieces from our local artists. It actually makes me proud to see all the works in this place were made by my fellow Kababayan. I salute every artist who put and shared their talents and build this site! I can say that museum hopping is fun in Antipolo, Rizal! Hopefully more site like this will be established in the Philippines.

Do I look bored here?

Breakdown of Expenses:
MRT (Taft/Edsa Station to Cubao/Araneta Station) - 14 pesos
FX ride (Araneta Center to "kanto" of Ynares) - 50 pesos
Tricycle ride ("kanto" of Ynares to Pinto Art Museum) - 40 pesos (not per pax but per ride)
Entrance Fee (Adult) - 150 pesos  [Senior Citizen – 120 pesos | Student – 75 pesos]

Pinto Art Museum
1 Sierra Madre Street, Grand Heights,
Antipolo City, Philippines

Museum Hours
Tuesdays - Sundays | 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
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Friday, February 1, 2013

Daranak Falls and Batlag Falls of Tanay, Rizal


Looking for a place to spend your weekend? If you want a taste of nature but hate long travel time then I believe this one suits you. Why don't you try to visit Daranak Falls and Batlag Falls. Two huge and enticing falls in one place. Sounds amazing right?

Daranak and Batlag falls are both located in Tanay, Rizal and it is a park facilitated by the local authorities/government. It is just a few minutes away from the city proper so expect many people coming in this place to experience and see its beauty.

Tricycle ride at the city proper

How to get there?
You can take vans (GT Express vans) either in Starmall (Edsa cor Shaw Blvd) or in Araneta Center (Cubao). It costs around 70-90 pesos and travelling going to Tanay is about 2-2.5 hours. You'll pass through Antipolo City Hall, a memorial park and finally, Tanay Market. As you reach Tanay market, hire a tricycle that will take you to Daranak/Batlag Falls. 150 pesos is the regular fare for this trip (maximum of 4 pax). You can bargain with the driver to save up. Take note: There are no tricycle waiting near the falls going back to Tanay Market so I suggest to bargain the return trip also. Else, you will be trekking back to the main road and up the market with your foot.


Daranak falls is open from 8am - 5pm everyday with an entrance fee of 20 pesos for adults and 15 pesos for children. Picnic table is optional but if you want to rent you need to shed 100 pesos for it. If you're planning to spent night at Daranak, it is not possible. Daranak falls isn't offering overnights. However, Batlag Falls is. You can stay overnights there which costs 150 pesos for adults and 75 pesos for children. If you visit during the day you will be paying 50 pesos for adults and 25 pesos for children. Picnic shed and cottage in Batlag falls ranges from 250 to 350 pesos.

Byron and Eteng with Daranak falls as their background
Eteng is the star of this trip. I, myself need to have a shot with her :]
Little Miss Philippines 1987.546 Hahahaha
Batlag falls is at the top of Daranak falls. You don't need any ride to reach Batlag falls simply because it is just a few steps away. So enjoy the view as you go there.

The feeling macho and the real macho hahaha

A little trek going to Batlag Falls
Greeting as you reach Batlag Falls
Swimming in Daranak falls is better than in Batlag falls because Daranak falls is bigger. However, it is more crowded in Daranak falls. So if you want to swim freely and away from the crowd, going to the deep areas of the falls will be the solution. The deeper it is the less people you interact on that area. However Photo op wise, my vote goes to Batlag falls since it is less crowded there. You can take the whole frame alone without anyone bombing your shot.

Familiar with the place? This has been a shooting place for Enteng Kabisote Movies - the Encantasia

Note: Bathrooms and shower rooms are available so don't worry changing up your wet clothes.

Breakdown of Budget
Van (Araneta to Tanay, roundtrip) 160 pesos
Tricycle (going to Daranak) - 150 pesos (good for 4 pax)
Entrance Fee (Daranak) - Adult-20 pesos Children-15 pesos
Picnic Table/Shed (Daranak) -100
Entrance Fee (Batlag) - Adult-50 pesos Children-25 pesos
Entrance Fee (Batlag, overnight) Adult-150 pesos Children-75 pesos
Picnic Shed (Batlag) -350
Cottage (Batlag) - 250
Food - ***
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