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Writer's pictureLakwatserong Hampaslupa

The City of 7 Lakes. San Pablo.

On our way to receive the Philippine Looper's Conqueror Award, we did not hesitate to visit San Pablo City, in Laguna - a day before the awarding in the beautiful Aquamarine Recreational Center Hotel and Pavillion in Lipa City, Batangas.

There in San Pablo City, you will find the 7 volcanic crater lakes - Muhikap, Palakpakin, Bunot, Calibato, Yambo, Pandin, and Sampalok.

The 7 Lakes spelled out the uniqueness of San Pablo City, influencing its traditions and culture - with important multi-uses include irrigation, domestic, navigation, sustenance fishing, tourism, and aquaculture.

Being the smallest lake at 21 hectares of area with 88 feet deep, Muhikap Lake is located in Brgy. Buenaventura, in San Pablo City.

Palakpakin Lake is 43 hectares body of water with a maximum depth of about 25 feet is located in the same barangay of Buenaventura. Some villagers said that on moonlit nights they could see a beautiful, red-haired lady washing her long hair with the hollow trunk serving as her wash basin.

Only 4.5 kilometres from the city proper, Bunot Lake is located in Brgy. Concepcion, and is known for its cultured tilapia and fish pens for Nilotica fingerlings, at 40 hectares wide with the maximum depth of 75 feet.

The deepest lake, the Calibato Lake, is located in Brgy. Sto. Angel with an area of 42 hectares and maximum depth of 443 feet.

Being the nearest in the City and the most accessible lake, the Sampalok Lake has a relaxing lake boardwalk, complete with food stalls and restaurants on its southwestern bank.

Bikers, joggers, and local tourist alike enjoy the scenery around the Dagatan Boulevard that's running along the banks of the biggest lake with 104 hectares area and 33 feet deep of fresh water.

Sampalok Lake's boardwalk is what San Pablo's local residents place of relaxation with family and friends in the morning or in late afternoon.

The local government of San Pablo City see to it that there is no human waste in the water of the lake, other than the fallen leaves that fell from the trees that provides the shade around the boardwalk.

I was contemplating if the locals would maximize the use of this lake by organizing events like remote-controlled boat race or a yearly event that would include floating balsas, etc.

The awesome backdraft view of Mount Banahaw from the boardwalk of Sampalok Lake is quiet relaxing too.

If you are passionate with what you do, you will find the energy to do it.

After a few minutes more of taking pictures and joking together, we then proceeded to visit the most scenic lake in San Pablo.

This inner road in Brgy. San Lorenzo will end in the lake that were named after a pair of coursed lovers - Pandin and Yambo, base on the local folklore.

In this wide space near the welcome arch of the barangay, it is advisable to park and leave the vehicles and ride on tricycles, if you are not going to camp overnight - because there was not much space for parking in Pandin Lake.

After the stiff climb from the very narrow road on the tricycle, this view will excite you - the Pandin Lake. with an area of 20 hectares (including the nearby Yambo Lake) at about 213 feet in maximum depth.

You will be greeted politely by the staff of the tourism cooperative in the pavilion.

You will also find their local delicacies, sweets, and preserved side dishes.

The cost estimates were given to us includes 3,300 pesos tour package at 550 pesos per pax for the 6 of us (balsa, guides, and food package), then we ordered 2x additional pork liempo at 80 pesos each, and 3x additional buko at 30 pesos each, for our very exciting lunch.

This Pandin Lake is considered one of the most beautiful lakes in the entire Philippines, almost rivaling the extremely awesome lakes in Coron, Palawan - Cayangan, Barracuda, and Twin Lagoon.

Pandin Lake however excels in calmness and serenity in comparison to the many lakes that we have visited in the Philippines - it was very quiet there - it's the chirps of the birds and the wind that mystified us.

The balsa boat made of bamboo wood and covered by nipa hut creates the calm feeling while if glides on the water leading to Yambo Lake View Point on the northern-most tip of Pandin Lake, through a pre-installed guide rope.

We were very happy carefully taking turns posing for photos in pairs.

This gentle giant towering at 6'-1" and 280 pounds with a kind heart of a rabbit - Eldon Ray Laguna is one of the very few friends who conquered the Philippine Loop Adventure Tour in 2023, a businessman, a fellow airsoft player, and one of our buddies in loops and getaways.

It was a bit of gamble standing firmly on the bamboo balsa for this photo that captures the greenery in the banks of the lake.

We were so thrilled by this little makeshift port from afar going up the viewpoint - since we don't have any expectations.

Jeoffrey Edanio is also another Philippine Loop Conquerors awardee, one of airsoft's speedball competitive operators, a gunsmith, and one of our usual buddies on several getaways in Baler's Hacienda Amelia, Mindoro Loop Rides, Coron Getaways, and many more travels.

Together with Eldon, the duo managed to completely conquer the Philippine Loop Adventure Tour in 20x days.

The forest-like trail going up the Tambo Lake Viewpoint was a bit easy if not to the commonly seen wild snakes known in the area - in fact, we'd seen one lurking around.

Yet, the efforts rewarded us with a glimpse of Tambo Lake overlooking from above.

This lake is privately owned according to the locals, and for private leisure use of a well-off person that they don't want to mention for privacy reason.

The kind owner of Tambo Lake allow tourist to have the overlooking view of the lake from the viewpoint.

There were lots of shade in the viewpoint and we took time to take group photos on top.

We were now already back in the balsa boat after a few minutes to enjoying the view of Tambo Lake - and safe from snake bites... hahaha

The balsa boat was then navigated to a nearby area in the lake and we were able to enjoy the swing tied on the branch of the tree partially covering the lake's edge.

It was indeed a quality and most relaxing time for the pairs taking turns on the swing.

Sitting on the swing that's dangling on the branch of the tree above is scary for me - but I have to make a nice smile for this photo, LoLz

My wife Yvette (nicknamed "Gagay") is also a Philippine Loop Conqueror, a certified open ocean scuba diver, a trekker, a mil-sim airsoft operator, a practicing international lecturer, and an explorer of 67 provinces out of 83 total provinces in the entire Philippines.

Today's thrilling events made us too hungry knowing we didn't have a proper breakfast all the way from Pampanga.

Grilled bangus, grilled pork liempo, grilled tilapia, suited shrimps, paco salad with salted eggs, bananas, fresh buko juice, coke, and bottled mineral water stole the scenery of the lake by this time, as hunger obviously taking over.

The amazing lake tour to the view deck and together with the sumptuous food prepared for us at less than 4,000 pesos was already a bargain, and all worth down to the last centavo.

We really had fun riding on the balsa, on top of the view deck, and in the prepared food with us.

The cold natural water rushing out from the spring was very convenient to wash thoroughly our hands and face after the lunch on bare hands.

Followed by the usual moments like kids joking around and fooling with each other adding to the spice.

The tour lasted only for about a few hours, but it was indeed an unforgettable experience for all of us.

We highly recommend to everyone to visit Pandin Lake in San Pablo City, in the Province of Laguna.

It was well worth your efforts and resources in going there - and it will make reconsider activities involving nature.

The intensive efforts in keeping the lake clean and ideal for local tourism by the locals was absolutely plausible.

The planning and arrangement by the cooperative to make the tour enjoying was indeed great.

Pandin Lake Tourist Service Cooperative was established, well organized, and continuously supported by the Local Government of San Pablo City.

We need these kinds of local activities in order to preserve nature, encourage local tourism, and help more people in providing locals their most basic needs.

San Pablo City's 7 Lakes were all beautiful, relaxing, and contributes to the local communities. In return, nature is being valued as important and part of the city's continues growth.


It is very seldom that we experience a tour in a lake like in Pandin Lake - it is a brandnew experience and again, it is highly recommended for all of us to experience and get away from the usual grinding and difficulties during weekdays.


Thanks to Eldon, Cath, Jeoffrey, Sha Sha, and Gagay for this wonderful experience...!

Byahe lang…!

2023 December 2 | San Pablo City, Laguna

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