San Pablo City: The City of Seven Lakes
A single lake in the middle of a city is already a sight to behold, but what if there are seven? Welcome to San Pablo City! The city of seven lakes! The city is located between two dormant volcanoes, Mt. Makiling and Mt. Banahaw, and its catchment area being Mt. San Cristobal. Due to phreatic eruptions, craters were formed that were eventually filled up with rainwater and soon became the famous seven lakes.
If you’re looking for an affordable and close getaway from the metro, then look no further. Try exploring the city and its seven majestic and serene lakes.
Sampaloc Lake
The largest and most well-known among the seven lakes of San Pablo City. Its popularity is mainly due to its close proximity to the heart of the city. With a total surface of 102.7 hectares and an estimated depth of 27 meters, Sampaloc Lake has the busiest business establishments among the lakes, therefore when visiting, you won’t run out of places to try out. This is also home to several freshwater species like tilapia, big-head carp, hito, dalag, and even shrimps.
Bunot Lake
Closest to Sampaloc Lake is Bunot Lake. With a surface area of 30 hectares and an average depth of 23 meters, Bunot Lake is mostly known for its cultured tilapias. The floating cages operation in the lake is where most of its residents derived their source of income. Rather than a developed tourist attraction like Sampaloc Lake, Bunot Lake offers the perspective of the usual way of living beside a lake.
Mohicap Lake
Mohicap Lake is the smallest among the seven, with a surface area of 22.9 hectares and a depth of 21 meters. Before actually experiencing the lake, you have to pay a 10 pesos environmental fee. Because it is the smallest, Mohicap is actually one of the cleanest among the lakes. One can even swim in its clear and shallow waters. Besides swimming, the lake residents and caretakers also offer fishing activities to tourists since the lake is also home to several freshwater species.
Palakpakin Lake
Having a surface area of 43 hectares and the deepest depth of 7.5 meters, Palakpakin is the shallowest among the seven lakes of San Pablo City. Similar to Bunot Lake, Palakpakin is rather more of an undeveloped perspective to the lakes. The lake residents prioritize their livelihood by increasing the construction of fish cages.
Calibato Lake
From the shallowest lake of Palakpakin to the deepest – Calibato Lake. Having an area of 42 hectares and an estimated depth of 135 meters, Calibato is nicknamed the funnel lake. 10 to 15-minute trekking is required to actually appreciate the view that the lake has to offer. Being the deepest, Calibato is one of the main suppliers of fish to nearby towns and cities.
Pandin Lake
In addition to being the cleanest, Pandin Lake is known as the most sought-after lake among the seven lakes of San Pablo for its pristine view and clear waters. Having 20.5 hectares of total surface area, Pandin is actually the smallest. However, with a depth of 62 meters, this is the second-deepest lake next to Calibato. Tourism is booming in Pandin as they offer floating huts on bamboo rafts accompanied by a course meal. Swimming is also a known activity in the clean waters of the lake.
Yambo Lake
Known as the twin (sometimes referred to as the lover of Pandin in other tales) of Pandin Lake because of their very close proximity to one another. Yambo Lake has a surface area of 28.5 hectares and a depth of 40 meters. Due to their close nature, a simple walk around Pandin Lake and an estimated 5-minute trek are all you need to get to Yambo Lake. Both lakes are considered oligotrophic due to them having low nutrient supplies, and high dissolved oxygen levels thus home to little organic matter but having deep clear waters.
A whole day is enough to tour the seven lakes of the city! Surely a trip that offers little expense for you to experience nature like no other. What are you waiting for? Visit San Pablo City soon!
Cristine Joy is a broadcasting major with a deep passion and obsession for reading and writing. She's the type of person that would lie to herself saying "one last chapter is all I need for a good night's sleep" then proceeds to finish the whole story until dawn. Her tenacity is what makes her believe that writing is not simply just a talent, rather it's a skill that one can continuously improve upon practice.