How much of our ancient history is hiding in plain sight? Radyoman Zhander Cayabyab journeys to the mountains of Rizal to uncover the story behind one of the Philippines’ oldest rock art sites.
Hidden within the mountainous terrain of Rizal province lies a priceless artifact of pre-colonial Philippine history, carved directly into the volcanic tuff.
The Angono-Binangonan Petroglyphs stand as one of the country’s most significant archaeological sites, featuring over a hundred stylized figures of humans and animals engraved on a rock wall. But beyond the intricate details of the carvings, the site’s true marvel lies in how it was found: by sheer, unexpected accident.
In Mga Ukit sa Bato, the latest release from RMN Documentaries: Hyperlocal Stories, Radyoman Zhander Cayabyab takes viewers on a historical expedition to the boundaries of Angono and Binangonan. The documentary explores the discovery of the petroglyphs and investigates how these ancient markings survived the elements for centuries.
More than static art, the petroglyphs offer a window into the past. The documentary delves into what these rock carvings reveal about the early inhabitants of the Philippines—how they lived, how they interacted, and what they valued long before written records existed.
Through its Power of Hyperlocal lens, RMN and DZXL News 558 bring this national treasure into public consciousness. Cayabyab speaks with local historians, museum curators from the National Museum of the Philippines, and the communities safeguarding the site to understand the ongoing efforts to protect these fragile engravings from natural degradation and modern development.
Mga Ukit sa Bato is a reminder that our history is not just found in textbooks—sometimes, it is etched into the very mountains we walk on.
Watch the full documentary above, and share your thoughts on preserving Philippine historical sites in the comments section.
