Tanay

Understand

The town's name was derived from its old name "Monte de Tan-ay", meaning "Mountain of Tanay", which reflects the area's mountainous location within the Sierra Madre. This explains the existence of Camp Capinpin, a military camp in the highland barangay of Sampaloc where the Philippine Army trains its soldiers in jungle warfare.

Tanay virtually has two town centers: the old poblacion at the floodplain of the Tanay River leading to Laguna de Bay, and Sampaloc, the commercial hub of the upland barangays that has grown thanks to the opening of the Marcos Highway, the presence of the Camp Capinpin garrison, and an influx of hikers and affluent people and property developers seeking to find a spot in the Sierra Madre to build their dream resthouse far from the stress of Metro Manila.

Get in

Tanay is away from Manila and away from Antipolo. It is accessible via Manila East Road (for the barangays along Laguna de Bay) and Marcos Highway (for Sampaloc and other upland barangays). A two-lane inner road parallel to Manila East Road connects the town center of Tanay with those of Baras and Pililla. The Tanay-Sampaloc Road serves as a capillary between the three roads and runs from Sampaloc to the town market at Plaza Aldea.

Jeepneys from the terminal in the town market are bound for Cainta, Starmall EDSA in Mandaluyong, Pililla, Jalajala and Siniloan. Jeepneys from the terminal in Sampaloc are bound for Cogeo in Antipolo. The minibus service from SM Masinag in Antipolo bound for Pililla passes through Tanay.

There is an airfield in Camp Capinpin in Sampaloc, but is only used for military purposes.

Get around

Places within the town proper are accessible by tricycle. Northernmost barangays, such as Daraitan, San Andres and Sta. Ines, are accessible by jeep from the town market via Sampaloc Road.

Do

There are a lot of restaurants and cafes along Marcos Highway in Cuyambay and Sampaloc that provide the overlooking views of Rizal province.

An annual Tanay Rodeo is celebrated every third week of January in line with the celebration of Tanay Town Fiesta to promote the cattle and agri-eco tourism in the town.

Stay safe

The Tanay stretch of the Marilaque Highway is a known accident-prone area with its winding curves and the occasional horde of motorcyclists turning the road into a playground for stunts they cannot do in Metro Manila.

Connect

Cellphone service in parts of the Marilaque Highway can be weak or non-existent.