Sampaloc Lake, San Pablo City of Laguna

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

Love
JAZZ-SIMPLYTRAVEL

Liliw Laguna

After a tiring but full of fun Charity Work Outreach Feeding Program and SOS Donation for 100 kids which is resident of Barangay Oples, located at Liliw Laguna last (September 20, 2015).

It’s time to go around and enjoy the small town.

I’m quite tired because of consecutive day’s being busy for my graphic works, advertising client proposal, layout design work and traveling from one place to another. And now I'm done for charity work.

I guess I need to take advantage using my spare time left to enjoy myself and have fun to look around and see what amazing things we can found in this place and can offer to us.

Again I told you Liliw Laguna is well known as the Footwear Capital of the Philippines.

So this small town will probably enjoy by those footwear lover who loves to collect and buy sandals, slippers, colorful flip-flops, shoes and even leather or native bag. There are lots of foot wear stores or shops selling new stylish, colorful and trendy varieties of bags, slippers, sandals, and shoes. In which actually made by creative shoe makers and designers who work in here. You need to be patience to look around one by one or scour these footwear stores that offer a perfect cheap price but quality made, that you want; depends on the color, style and size that’s fit on your feet. I guess your eyes will almost certainly enjoy what you will see, from colorful bags, footwear and shoes of every store, to small museum, old heritage houses, some big slippers displays around and the warm community boasts of oscillate and vibrant street scenes.

Truly Philippines are fantastic.

The Gat Tayaw Street is the best spot to see these spontaneous footwear stores.

But did you know that Gat Tayaw is actually name of a person before it became name by a Street in Liliw Laguna.

Who is Gat Tayaw?

He is the founder of the small town of Liliw Laguna.

The Municipality of Liliw was founded in 1571 by Gat Tayaw. The small, peaceful and picturesque town nestled at the foot of Mt. Banahaw , 17 kilometers away from Santa Cruz , Capital of Laguna Province . According to locals, Liliw got its name from a bird. And based on old stories Gat Tayaw and his men erected a bamboo pole and decided to name the town after the bird that would first alight at the top of the pole. After four (4) days, a crow perched on the pole, however, the bird was considered malevolent. Thus, Gat Tayaw and his men decided to erect another bamboo pole at the south. With constant vigil, a beautiful bird nestled on the pole and sang, "Liw, Liw, Liw". From then, the town named "Liliw".

Throughout the Spanish regime, the name Liliw was used but when the Americans came, it became "Lilio" since they found it easier to pronounce it than Liliw. On June 11, 1965, Resolution No. 38-S-65 was passed by the municipal council which declared "Liliw" as the official name and spelling of the town. This was to avoid the confusion in pronouncing and spelling the name of the town.

I heard there are about 70-80 stores in here and the oldest store is the Badong Footwear Shop. In which founded in 1962 and own by Salvador “Badong” Monteiro. I wasn’t having the chance to get in and check there footwear products, but no doubt that this store is truly offer a high quality products for a long run of 53 years in this business of this year 2015.

Now it’s time to drop and visit the Church of this small town.

The famous Saint John the Baptist Church is beautiful and included as one of the most grand Church in Laguna Province and famous Destination both for Roman Catholic Pilgrims and Tourists as this more than 300 year church (built in 1646) is a sight to behold. The Church is known for its bricked baroque style architecture and elegant façade and a large and gold leafed alter (called retablo) and it houses four levels of various Roman Catholic Saints (14) and a separate chapel for the Famous Franciscan Friar Father Pedro de San Buenaventura, who is the author of the first Tagalog dictionary Vocabulario de la Lengua Tagala.

And it does totally amaze me to be in this old Church and enjoy the place. Since we only have few times left I don’t have chances to get in to check the amazing Saint inside and the internal structure of the Church.

The only prayer I have at the moment is feeling thankful and bless for this wonderful moment of my life. Mind relaxing and a productive day for me.

Liliw Laguna is also rich in freshwater snails/crabs, native fruits like tomatoes and lansones, famous cookies called “Uraro”, tasty native homemade delicacies, charming landscape, old heritages houses and known as well in cold water spring resort.

I love to explore more, discover lot of things, experience and taste amazing sweet food, native products, know more some untold stories, to see famous restaurant and to dine in like the famous Arabella  Camello’s Bakeshaus and Coffee shop and also White House Pavilion Restaurant, to walk for more to see a lot of ancestral houses. But my time is over, I need to get back to my sister’s hometown before it gets dark for safe travel because of the roads and for me to make some rest and regain strength. 

Hope you enjoy my short journey about this small town Liliw, Laguna if I have chances to go back here I will probably explore more. Share your stories as well if you’ve been here.

Photo credit to JAZZRELLRIO PHOTOGRAPHY

Love

JAZZ-SIMPLYTRAVEL

He’s Dating the Transgender (Book)

After spreading the news through media from television, news paper and internet about winning the title and crowned Ms. Gay Manila 2015. Ms. Trixie Maristela is already visible nationwide all over the Philippines. She also won the title and crowned of the prestigious beauty pageant of a very well known noontime variety show Eat Bulaga in Super Sireyna wayback 2014.

I’m not a big fan of pageant but I was really amaze how transwoman being competitive in field of beauty and brain competition. I’ve never been in pageant or compete in my whole life living until I reach my twenties of age.

The reason why I can relate or involved myself in this nice subject is because I live as well as a transwoman. Means we are born as man but living as a woman with heart and soul. 

At this generation we are already visible in society but still we experience discrimination and limited acknowledgment living on our own way.

It’s a very long discussion if I tell you about a life or my life living a transwoman. But at the moment were about to talk this wonderful book I read written by Mr. Art with Ms. Trixie.

After Ms. Trixie Maristella having a lot of exposure in media she already had name in the industry especially being a figure or advocate for LGBT society specialize transwoman issue. I never knew her yet, instead just a casual title holder of those pageants she won.  She is truly had an elegant and classy look and beautiful face. Her aura is very far from the other transwoman. She is unique and very very finest.

After Manila Bulletin (Newspaper Media) tell her story from winning the pageant now it’s time for her Love Story. Then it was started to spread on the social media or internet and many followers and supporters read it, including myself.

How his long boyfriend named Art brave enough to spread and share the world his love for the special woman of his life Ms Trixie Maristela.

Many of the reader was actually support and adore their love to each other and some of them as well throw and express their thought against of this kind of relationship. And for me it’s very inspiring, eye and mind opening that there are truly few special love and relationship exist.

We might be inspires by love stories. But mostly are fictions, some are only in character or scripted. It’s fine but then compare in reality I guess it’s more sensible to appreciate that there are love stories giving us hope and let us dream and lead us to positivity and motivate to use our heart to love more through reality.

No one in this world love to be alone or even don’t want to love and be loved. When we getting older and getting matured we started to understand what exactly our heart beats for and wants. Especially in transwoman love stories.

Living in our own world being a transwoman is not easy, most of time it’s actually twice having hardship or struggle for us to fight the battle or challenge of our LIFE. But all we can do is face it and be brave as a combination of a strong man and intelligent woman with courage and hope.

Now! The book was release early June 2015 and it was started to market and advertise through social media and seen in selected bookstore. I started to feel the book is so controversial for me, it’s very interesting and I have my desire to read it.

Because I want to know more and learn from it, learn exactly what the book can share and tell.

At the late September the bookstores nearby in my hometown have a copy and display. Because I feel doubt to buy it compare for photography book I collected, I was just started to read only the synopsis printed at the back of book.  But still didn’t buy it.

Until the 2nd time around I just drop and visit the bookstore to find some photography book and just browse and read some few, I seen this book again on the display and it feels like it catches my attention. When I open up the middle part I saw some few lovely photos of this lovely couple Ms. Trixie and Mr. Art. But then I wasn’t bought it.

It was late night I’m browsing the net and read a blog of a Filipina transwoman who fall in love with a man living in Slovenia and they met in real and fight for their love. And a Filipina transwoman living and loving his Dutch husband. Both are also a lovely story until I realize the book of Mr. Art and Ms. Trixie love story.

At the 3rd time I visit the bookstore with my main purpose to get a copy and buy of this book “He’s Dating the Transgender”. I let myself read the whole book the moment I have it on my hand.

When I started to read it, it talks about the introduction of knowing the personality and past life of their young age. From Mr. Art teenage life to Ms. Trixie transformation process. The book was totally made to understand the root and where they started to fall each other, the struggle and the hopeless moment of finding the right one. It’s fun and very entertaining, I find myself laughing while reading the book. And there are facts at the young age of being transwoman you are fall in love and adore feminine behavior. Loving woman’s activities, act like a woman and also the inner feeling that you are a woman.

There’s also a twisted part of emotion and feelings from a humorous jokes and punch line to emotional dramatic story. My heart burst into sadness when the most important person who love and support you died (Ms. Trixie Aunt) and you loved the most. I got cried realizing how important every special people in our life and all we need are showing our love and to value and care them as long as they live in this world. She’s totally a hero and great woman for being angel to Ms. Trixie. And Ms. Trixie empowered as well herself to keep going and fight for the battle of her life.

The book will drive you in many ways of emotion but only one destination and that is to inspire you. That love has no label, love has no gender, love is love and love is the best thing we can have in this world using our heart while we are living.  And of course it’s not easy to find the real one, the story show as well about the struggle and imperfection of life.

And I adore the purity, gracefulness and being kind of Ms. Trixie. I love how she is being part of charity and being with kids same as me. (I know how it really felt sharing your time and inspire young kids). I love their aim building up a foundation to help unfortunate people when time comes that they can able to make one in the future. She is also a figure of a woman who has beautiful soul and humility.

The book also tell how wonderful the heart of a transwoman when she love someone with all her heart in which is so accurate in real life. Because of many trials we facing through in our life the moment we dedicate our heart to the only one a brave man who accept us, love us and treat us well as the only woman who is love of their life. We often keep our genuine heart with gratitude, love more and show passionate way of caring our man. And that’s how we are so special.

It’s truly witty and knowledgeable book. This is not only for transwoman or trans-orientedman it’s also for straight people to open their mind, learn and be aware about the modern world. We exist and it doesn’t mean that having this kind of relationship is bad or inappropriate because of religious matter that taught us.

For me there is no right or wrong when you fall in love as long as you didn’t hurt anyone. As long as you are happy and respect other people. We are equally having the right to love and use our heart but not to judge and label other people instead letting ourselves to be free and having a broader mind to embrace the kindness for other to be happy and to our selves.

Mr. Art is also a nice brave man (On the last part when the right time comes) but of course sorry Mr. Art you play as well the coward part to hide the identity of Ms. Trixie for your family for almost a years. But the unbelievable thing is how strong and patiently Ms. Trixie to keep her courage even if she was felt uncomfortable and limitless to do and say something about herself to the family of Mr. Art. Love is also taking risk and sacrifice and I seen that Ms. Trixie gets strength because of his faithful love to his man Mr. Art.

But despite of it I guess that’s the challenges to make their love bonds stronger and wiser. I love how Mr. Art changes his life and find the beauty of the world again when he met the princess of his heart Ms. Trixie. Our story is molded in different way; it can be god’s will, our will or choice or unexpectedly happen in good way. The most matter is we made our own story with genuine heart to inspire and choose happiness in our life.

And this true story happened, it is truly deserve to show and tell the world because it’s very inspirational, eye and mind opening tool for each and everyone. Although we cannot please all people to like it, support it, agree or disagree with it but at least RESPECT it.  Because in the end LOVE will always WIN.

I love as well how both of them explore different countries and places. From USA to Asian countries. It’s really amazing feeling to travel with special someone. 

I love to share more but I guess it’s better for you to buy a copy of this book and enjoy it. I’m sending my gratitude and being thankful for the privilege to be one of the readers of this book with all respect I salute and sending my prayer for more blessing and strong love for both of you Ms. Trixie and Mr. Art. Thank you for inspiring many…

I’m excited to make my own book and my own love story when the time and love comes on my way to tell and share the world I will probably no doubt to share mine.

Love

JAZZ-SIMPLYTRAVEL