Today I will share you my simple story and relaxing moment at Sampaloc Lake of San Pablo City of Laguna.
I’ve been here many times since my sister moved and lived in San Pablo City years ago to enter her married life and having her own family. I often visit her if I have free time to relax and spent time with her and to see my cute nephew.
San Pablo City is very simple and quite place but well known as “City of the Seven Lakes”.
Sampaloc Lake is the largest and the most accessible from the city proper. A popular tourist spot, it is also home to an abundance of freshwater fish like tilapia (local fish here in Philippines), milk fish, cat fish, a big head carp and several species of shrimps.
The other lakes are: Bunot Lake, Yambo Lake, Pandin Lake, Mojicap Lake, Calibato Lake and Palakpakin Lake.
Sampaloc Lake has a circular shoreline of about 3.7 kilometers and a maximum depth of 27.6 meters at the center. It is located besides Doña Leonila Park and near the San Pablo City Capitol Building. The lake has provided a source of livelihood for nearby residents through cage culture fish farming. Tilapia, Milkfish, Carps, Catfish and Shrimps are the varieties that can be found in the lake. The lake has a viewing deck where you can enjoy a scenic view of the lake together with the majestic Mountains of Mount Cristobal and Mount Banahaw at the back. At the side of the viewing deck is a concrete stair going down to the lake shoreline.
It was actually 20 to 25 minutes walking away from my sister’s house to reach the Sampaloc Lake and Doña Leonila Park.
Doña Leonila Park named after the past First Lady, Mrs. Leonida D. Garcia. She is a wife of the former 8th President of the Philippines respectable Carlos Garcia who visits San Pablo City in 1961.
The Lake is very huge and you can enjoy walking around and witness the lovely view with your eyes. It’s very charming seeing the sunrise in the morning, while the wave of lake is like dancing through the blow of winds, the trees around is also additional attractions especially the majestic Mt. Cristobal surrounded by the white clouds.
Residents and tourist are enjoying the scenery, mostly their go around for physical activities like jogging and biking. Well you can rent a bike/bicycle for only P20.00 and a pedicab (bike/bicycle with side-seats for passengers) for only P50.00 to go around. You can also have a chance to ride a Balsa (Bamboo Raft) or a Pedal-boat and experience being at the center of the lake. Rental cost for the Balsa is P 200.00 for 30 minutes and for the Pedal-boat is P 50.00 per person. Fishing is also an activity you can enjoy around the lake, but be sure you provide your own fishing gears.
Some of them enjoy the park such as family or group of friends having picnic together. Kids also enjoy the play ground. I've seen many people spend their time here to relax, enjoy and connect their self to nature. Some students frequently visit the lake to study their lessons, read books and rehearse for school activities such as dancing, sing along together and practicing their stage play.
It’s also a great place prefer by a dog lover who wants to show around their pets. Sampaloc Lake is totally perfect for the family, friends, classmates, travelers and co-workers who want to chill out and unwind.
This place was actually my favorite when I visit my sister, I really do enjoy spend my time to go around and relax myself being far from a noisy and crowd urban life. Seeing the lake and enjoy watching fisher man is enough for me.
There are several comfortable and relaxing restaurants that serve nice foods if you feel hungry and want to dine in. Even Hotel if you’re looking for accommodation, it’s called Tahanan ni Aling Meding Hotel.
There are also sidewalk stalls that sell grill pork barbeque, grill hotdog, Isaw (grill chicken intestines), grill pork blood cut into a cubes (betamax as we call it), and grill chicken feet (also known as street foods) and beverages which you can eat along the bench and boardwalk.
This place has so much to offer the lake view giving you a mind relaxation, people, foods and also a few historical remarks from the past. The vicinity is well maintained and I was hoping that local people who live here will keep continue taking care of this place to preserve cleanliness and tolerate disciplinary action.
You better try to visit and take time to drop in case you are in San Pablo City; Sampaloc Lake is really worth it.
But have you ever know that this place actually have mythical story? Why and how they call it Sampaloc Lake?
Legend tells of a giant Tamarind (Sampaloc) tree in the garden of a selfish, stingy old woman who drove away a fairy disguised as an old man asking for some fruit as a cure for his ailing grandson. Instead of helping him, the old woman had him driven away by her ferocious dogs. The old man was badly hurt. After the old man left, there was a thundering noise and pelting rain, followed by the cracking of the earth. And then, the entire orchard sank into a colossal pit which was immediately filled with water. Henceforth, the villagers called it Sampaloc Lake.
It’s truly wonderful knowing things and stories about every place you’ve been. And this story was actually well known by all local residents living here. No matter what the fable is true or not I still respect their belief.
The important matter is Sampaloc Lake is a simple place but truly adorable.
Share your stories if you already been here.
We probably want to hear yours.
Photo Credit by: JazzrellRio Photography
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JAZZ-SIMPLYTRAVEL
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