Ok...this can be confusing. The Angono petroglyphs is not actually situated in Angono (one of the towns in Rizal province)- rather, it in is Binangonan (another town in Rizal province).
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| Say what...? |
The explanation from the very helpful National Museum staff assigned in the location, was that that this was discovered in 1965 by Botong Francisco, a National Artist of the Philippines, who hails from Angono. Aside from the fact, that it is by the border of Binangonan and Angono. It was therefore better known as the Angono Petroglyps, despite it being technically a part of Binangonan. There are some attempts to show this "shared ownership" , as seen in this signage.
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| An attempt to be "inclusive" |
The Angono Petroglyps is considered a cultural heritage site with the etchings on the rock wall dating back to 3000 B.C. or during the stone age, as per our guide. Engraved in the rocks are various animal and human figures. The National Museum website reports about 127 drawings of such. Our guide says that these drawings could very well be related to some spiritual rituals, as some drawings appear to be in prayer. However, this, and the actual date of the drawings, needs more study and we do not have the money nor the technology for this.
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| Some of the drawings |
No..the drawings are not in a cave , contrary to the popular notion (I was also expecting a cave). It is in a rock shelter. But yes, there is a tunnel leading to this open area where the rock shelter is.
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| The Petroglyphs is in a 63 meter wide rock shelter. |
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| The rock shelter with the petroglyphs |
The Angono-Binangonan Petroglyps "has been included in the World Inventory of Rock Art" and "was nominated as one of the 100 Most Endangered Sites of the World under the world Monument Watch List." Sadly, it is in danger of disappearing due to natural causes (wind, rain, plant roots, and erosion) and due to vandalism.
Our guide shared that the government has allotted a 5 million peso budget for the site. From what he shared however, it will mostly be used, to develop the surroundings of the petroglyph (e.g. construction of picnic benches and tables) but nothing for the preservation (I hope I heard him wrong). I do hope these would be preserved- this gives us a glimpse of the Filipino culture dating back from the stone age.
It sure is a place which is worth exploring, while it is still here.
How to get there, from Antipolo:
Driving from Shopwise, Antipolo: Turn right at MLQ extension. You will pass by SM Hypermart, and just go straight ahead until you reach the gate leading to Thunderbird resort. Inform the guard you are visiting the petroglyphs and they will show you the direction.
https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=200030074610864277559.0004c070cd14033680b3b&msa=0&dg=feature
Public transportation: From the Antipolo church, take a tricycle to the gate of the property leading to the Thunderbird Casino Resort and tell the guard you are visiting the Petroglyphs and you may hike to the location.
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