History

The region surrounding Laguna de Bay was well settled at the time the Spaniards arrived in Manila in 1571. These settlements had previously traded with Chinese merchants and extensive archeological relics give evidence of the area's vibrant trading relations. Juan de Salcedo succeeded in reducing recalcitrant communities, like Cainta and Taytay to submit to dominion. Missionaries later organized these settlements into towns and parishes.

The settlements facing Manila Bay, as well as those lying along the Pasig River area, were organized into the province of Tongdo. The towns lying beyond the Antipolo Highlands were placed under the jurisdiction of the province of La Laguna.

Proximity to Manila meant that the towns of present-day Rizal would be intimately involved in the goings-on in the capital. In 1639, during the Chinese uprising, the towns of Pasig, San Mateo and Taytay were sacked. In 1762, British forces took control of Pasig, Cainta and Taytay and stayed there until 1764.

In 1853, a new political-military subdivision, Morong, was formed out of the towns on the northern shore of Laguna de Bai detached from the province of La Laguna. Morong and Manila were among the earliest theaters of revolution in 1896. Caves in present-day Montalban became a haven for Revolutionaries seeking a safe hideaway from the Spanish authorities.

Upon the recommendation of the first Philippine Commission, the province of Manila was unified with the district of Morong to form a new province named after Dr. Jose P. Rizal. Rizal province was officially and legally created by virtue of Act No. 310, in June 1901.

On November 8, 1975, the Metropolitan Manila area was created by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 824. The decree incorporated 12 towns of Rizal into the region, leaving only 14 towns to the province. Pasig, the capital of Rizal, was also incorporated into Metro Manila.

People, Culture and the Arts

Rizal, despite its proximity to Metro Manila preserves a distinctive small town charm. The towns, in spite of the mushrooming of suburban subdivisions, still revolve around the central plaza, where the centuries-old church, the municipal hall and the main school usually stand. Each Rizal town is endowed with its own unique spirit that is reflected in its festivals, crafts and cuisine.

The people of the province are Tagalogs, though there are communities of Dumagats in the hills. The influx of migrants from other areas has made the language almost indistinguishable from Filipino. However, in the eastern towns of the province, from Cardona to Tanay, people still speak in the sing-song manner that is distinctive to the region. The people commonly substitute the letter 'r' for the letter 'd' in everyday usage, which sometimes confuses many non-residents.

The province has attracted the attention of local art connoisseurs because several top national artists hail from its different towns. National artist Vicente Manansala, was born in Binangonan and his shrine in that town has been declared by the National Historical Institute as a historical landmark. It houses the relics of the artist and also features some of his original works. Botong Francisco and Jose Blanco hail from Angono. Several present day artists have also made their home in the Angono Artist Village, a haven for painters, musicians and other artists in the foothills of Angono.

The province is also home to the World Sikaran/Arnis Brotherhood of the Philippines, which promotes the two Filipino martial arts. Sikaran, is a Tagalog term that means 'to kick'. The name refers to the kicks delivered by practitioners to knock their opponents. The kicks are aimed at the opponent's legs and are delivered forcefully using agile foot movements. Arnis is a Filipino martial art that uses rattan or wooden poles to deliver strikes to an opponent's body.

The province also boasts of very fine examples of colonial church architecture. The Baras Church, which was completed in 1686, features a very simple exterior and interior. However, the altar and the lecterns are artifacts that were unearthed beneath the church. Tanay Church, as it stands today, was completed in 1783. The church features a mix of Philippine colonial design and baroque motifs. The church has a long nave and five altars done in rococo designs. The main retablo is silver-plated. The stations of the cross are carved in relief in wood. Morong Church is considered one of the finest examples of colonial baroque architecture in the Philippines, with its fused façade and bell tower exquisitely proportioned and designed by master Chinese craftsmen in the mid-19^th century.

The province's festivals draw tourists and devotees from across the country. Angono's colorful town fiesta in honor of San Clemente, is held every 23rd of November. The saint is the patron of Angono's fishermen, and is highly revered by the people of Angono. On the actual feast day, the image of San Clemente is carried from the church onto a raft in the lake, in a fluvial procession participated in by most of the residents of the town. The residents dress in fishermen's clothes bearing boat paddles, fish nets, traps, etc. and accompany the image. While the image is carried on the raft, people on the shore throw mud at each other. Those who follow the procession are playfully doused with water to wash away the mud.

The miraculous image of La Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buenviaje (Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage) is enshrined in Antipolo and draws pilgrims to this highland town. Each year, a month-long pilgrimage to the Virgin draws thousands of people who pray for favors or give thanks for granted wishes. The image was canonically crowned in 1926 and was attributed with ensuring the safety of galleons on which it was brought. On December 8, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception is marked with processions in the town.

Trade and Investments

Rizal's strategic location on the southeastern portion of Metropolitan Manila and its highly skilled labor force make it an ideal investment site for manufacturing and agro-industrial activities. The province still maintains large tracts of land open for development. Rice, corn and legumes are its principal lowland crops. The vast upland areas are suitable for the production of high value crops such as coffee, cacao, black pepper, pineapple, guyabano, mango and cashew. Rock aggregates, sand and gravel, limestone, and marble deposits are abundant. Large deposits of copper and iron ore reserves are found in the towns of Rodriguez and Antipolo. The red clay suitable for ceramics, pottery and brick making, is found in the province. A population of close to 1.5 million provide a highly skilled, highly-educated workforce from which Metro Manila has consistently drawn its labor needs.

Rizal is linked to Metro Manila by a network of excellent roads. The province taps into the Luzon power grid for its electricity needs and is serviced by the Manila Electric Company power distribution franchise. The towns close to Metro Manila enjoy the service of the Manila Water Company although other towns source their water from municipal waterworks systems. Telecommunications is readily available.

Rizal is a haven for investors seeking to locate manufacturing and industrial operations to less congested, yet easily accessible areas. The provincial government is developing an industrial estate in Tanay that will spur the eastward movement of development into the Rizal, Laguna, Quezon corridor. The initiative to bring development eastward is looking for more investments in industries that can tap the human resources of the area. Garments and footwear manufacture are bright prospect for investments, with the presence of a skilled manpower pool, access to materials and markets. In gifts, toys and housewares, woodworks manufacture, investors can tap the local talent for crafts. The province has made a mark in the production of electronics with two of the country's largest electronics producers locating in Taytay. High-value agriculture, cutflowers and ornamental horticulture can thrive in the favorable climate conditions in the towns of Antipolo, Tanay and Morong.

Tourism is also another viable investment area. The relative proximity of the province opens opportunities to establish tourist and recreational resorts, golf courses and convention centers. The province's natural, cultural and scenic spots continue to draw local and foreign visitors, who would be in need of better facilities and services.

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