The Lakes of San Pablo City, Laguna – Sampaloc Lake

Sampaloc Lake

The last lake that I visited is the Sampaloc Lake which is located near San Pablo city proper. I was decided to go to the Lake at six in the morning, hoping to catch the sunrise. From Sulyap Gallery Café I ride the tricycle for Php 30.00 to get me to the lake. The driver would ask you if you will be going to “taas” or “ibaba” of Sampaloc Lake and I decided to be dropped off at “taas” of Sampaloc Lake.

I thought that since six in the morning is still early, there will be only few people at the lake but I was wrong. The place was already full of people, mostly are locals doing their morning routines of running, taking a bike or simply just walking along the lake. 

Although it feels already late, I was still able to catch the sun just rising above the mountain. The sun rising gives a beautiful color of yellow and orange to the clouds which are also reflected at the lake. 

Aside from the scenery of the sunrise, I also witness the lives of the locals of San Pablo. I watch some bikers leisurely talking at one another, families enjoying their Saturday by walking side by side at the lake, people taking breakfast, an old man fishing by the side of the lake, and a fisherman checking the fish pens (yes, there are also fish pens at Sampaloc Lake). It’s as if the people of San Pablo City have a laid-back life as they just carefree tread along the lake.

My visit to Sampaloc Lake did not just give beautiful scenery but also a slice of life of the people of San Pablo City.

The Lakes of San Pablo City, Laguna - Calibato Lake

Calibato Lake

Calibato Lake with Mt. Banahaw and Mt. Cristobal

After my visit to Lake Pandin, my next Lake to visit is Calibato Lake. There are two ways to reach Calibato Lake – one is by riding a jeep bound to Liliw and tells the driver to drop you off at the entrance of Calibato Lake, the other way is through trekking with the help and guide of the kids at the parking space of Pandin Lake. I chose the second option of trekking as according to my kid guide it is easier and faster than taking a jeepney ride.

On the way to the lake, my kid guide would give facts and information about Calibato Lake. According to the kid a hydropower plant is currently being built using water at Calibato Lake as the main source of energy. Along the way there are streams of clear water and as my guide said the water came from Calibato Lake. There is also a small dam holding water from the lake and another trivia given to me by my guide is that Japanese used to hide at the side of the dam during World War II.

As for the trail, this one is more difficult than with the trail of Lake Pandin. There are a lot climbs and upon nearing the lake you need to hold on to a rope as you go down. Aside from that there are times that you would walk near a cliff on your left side and on your right is the knee deep river. It is like going through a forest. But my guide would encouragingly tell me that the other way is more difficult as one would need to rappel down to get a view of Calibato Lake. 

I am very exhausted the time we reach the lake. We were just in a small corner of the lake with a Nipa Hut at my right and a raft tied on a pole on my left. My guide told me that if I took the other way, I cannot get this near to the lake.

the raft on my left

the nipa hut on my right and fishpens

Just like in Lake Bunot, there are fish pens in the lake and is not a major tourist destination. My guide told me that people find the lake dirty because of the fish pens.

Although the lake is dirty, I feel certain serenity when I looked at the lake. Behind the lake are Mt. Cristobal and Mt. Banahaw. There are times that you would see white birds flying over the fish pens in search of food. There are also two kids despite of the heat of the sun, taking a raft ride in the lake. It was peaceful and it makes you want to just sit back and watch the whole scenery.

fish pens at the center of the lake

two boys taking a ride of their raft