Angono Petroglyphs: A Heritage Site to Remember

Explore the prehistoric marvels of the Angono-Binangonan Petroglyphs heritage site, believed to date back to around 3,000 BC.

I had the incredible opportunity to spend the entire extended weekend (from the evening of October 31 to November 4) at Carebi Village in Angono Rizal, all thanks to my dear friend, Miss B, who graciously hosted me in their home.

On November 3, following the excitement of our "Halloween Videoke Madness," we embarked on a visit to the renowned "Angono Petroglyphs", located at the border of Angono and Binangonan in the province of Rizal, Philippines.

Prior to the eagerly anticipated vacation, Miss B proposed the idea of exploring a cave nestled in the mountains. Little did I realize that this location was not only considered one of the nation's cherished treasures but also offered breathtaking panoramic views of the town from its summit.

Petroglyphs is also called "rock engravings"; which by that given definition means images that were created by removing part of a rock surface by carving, incising or abrading.

The Angono Petroglyphs was known to be the oldest work of art in the Philippines. It consists of 127 carvings or drawings of animals, like frogs and lizards, and even human figures. These inscriptions on the rock walls were estimated to be dated way back 3,000 BC. Pretty historic, right.

The heritage site was discovered in 1965 by the late Carlos V Francisco. Mr. Francisco was awarded as the National Artist of the Philippines.

This heritage should be preserved and taken care of for us to remember the history and also for the future generations to come. Sad to say, vandalism and neglect now echoes on this place. But thanks to the collective effort of the National Museum of the Philippines, Department of Tourism, American Express, World Monument Funds and Philippine Real Estate Company, the heritage site was preserved and developed more so that people who came to visit here would appreciate its pre-historic beauty.

The Angono Petroglyphs is considered as National Cultural Treasures of the country; declared by the Philippine government in 1973 by the virtue of Pres. Decree No. 260.

From Angono Rizal, you have the option of either waiting for the blue passenger cab or renting a tricycle for a one-way trip. The estimated cost for the tricycle fare ranges from 250 to 300 pesos per trip. It's advisable to bring your own mode of transportation to ensure a worry-free journey back home.

The sight of the town below, seen from the overlook, was truly awe-inspiring. Being away from the noise and structures of the city below provided a sense of marvel. All that met our eyes were the beauty of nature, with trees, flowers, and the captivating view of the river.

We arrived at the cave entrance late in the afternoon. Despite the presence of light at the end, the prospect of venturing into the dark cave for the first time, especially with just the two of us and no one else in sight, elicited a sense of apprehension.

Adding to our unease, we had neglected to bring flashlights or any other source of illumination (a rookie mistake on our part!). Despite the cold, we pressed on, determined to explore until we reached the cave's end.

Along the way to the Petroglyphs site, we encountered several groups of people. Fortunately, it wasn't a lengthy journey; the site was just around the bend of the mountain.

Before proceeding to take pictures inside the Museum, we first registered and paid Php20.00 per person.

Though the Museum was relatively small, it housed significant memories of the past.

Nearby, there was a view deck and stone path adorned with wooden decking, allowing visitors to stroll and admire the art carved into the rock walls.

For those intending to visit the heritage site, I recommend going in the morning and bringing your own car or vehicle, as catching the blue passenger cab is quite rare.

While there were white shuttles or vans available, they were exclusively for guests of the Thunderbird Resort and Casino, a fantastic location situated near the Petroglyphs.

Both the Museum and the viewing deck closed promptly at 5 PM, and it's advisable not to venture back into the dark cave later.Unfortunately, we departed from the Petroglyphs after 5 PM, with the last group having left 20 minutes earlier. With limited options, we had to summon our courage.

Inside the cave, the cold wind was relentless, seemingly tugging at us. Miss B attempted to jest that the main entrance appeared much farther away than we remembered, though her attempt to spook me proved unsuccessful.

Before heading home, with the darkness now enveloping the surroundings, we made a stop at Thunderbird Resort, conveniently located near the Petroglyphs site, where we unwound beside the alluring beauty of the pool, overlooking the twinkling lights of the town below.

Thunderbird Resort and Casino is a renowned establishment, featuring a resort area at the front and a casino at the back. Perched atop a ridge on the Binangonan foothills of the Sierra Madre Mountain, the location enhances the enjoyment of any event or gathering.

We cherished a little secret from our visit—a memory that we carried from that chilly night at the exquisite resort. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed our mini adventure; it provided a great deal of fun and excitement!