Antipolo City, Rizal

Parts of Rizal belong to the Sacred Grounds of Ancestral Domain, or Subkal’n-Is’suwi ICCA (or the Indigenous Community Conserved Territories and Areas), a designated protected area. It spans approximately 524.65 square kilometers, including 20.57 square kilometers of marine territory, and forms part of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range (or SMMR). Predominantly characterized by tropical and subtropical broadleaved forest, this ICCA is overseen by the Dumagat and Alta indigenous communities, encompassing six distinct communities (the Barangays of Diteki, Real, Dibalo, Dibut, Dikapinisan, and Dimanayat) with a total population of 2,410 individuals.

The Dumagat and Alta communities maintain a profound connection with their surrounding environment. Their traditional practices, encompassing activities like traditional hunting, fishing, and farming, are deeply rooted in the cultural significance of "Subkal’n-Is’suwi," a heritage inherited from their ancestors. They hold a strong reverence for the resources within their ancestral land, attributing their origin to the Supreme Being, "Makidepat." This belief instills a commitment to safeguard and preserve these resources as a legacy for future generations.

The arrival of the Spanish colonizers in the 16th century marked a significant turning point in the history of Rizal.

During this period, Antipolo City earned its name from the profusion of tipolo or breadfruit trees that flourished in the area. The construction of the church, initiated by Franciscan missionaries in 1578, was later taken over by the Jesuits, who played a pivotal role in organizing the village into a parish by 1601. The population experienced significant growth, reaching 3,000 by 1601, primarily attributed to the settlement of the Dumagat people in the region.