Sampaloc Lake of San Pablo City Laguna

Introduction

Sampaloc Lake is the largest lake in San Pablo City, Laguna, and it’s one of the most visited tourist attractions in the province of Laguna. The Sampaloc Lake, which has a size of 104 hectares, is situated behind San Pablo city hall and is flecked with fishpens and small cottages built on poles. It has an elevation deep of eighty-eight feet and it is overflowing with a diverse variety of freshwater fish like mudfish, several species of shrimps, tilapia, catfish, dulong, bangus, karpa, and ayungin. Sampaloc Lake has a maximum width of 1.2 kilometers and an approximate maximum depth of twenty-seven meters or thirty-three feet, and the average depth is ten meters. Nearly half of the Sampaloc lake’s depth has a shallow depression at the bottom, indicating its volcanic origin. Currently, Sampaloc Lake is one of the main sources of income for the residents of San Pablo City, Laguna. 

According to its history, the Sampaloc Lake is widely believed to be volcanic in origin, formed through a phreatic eruption when shallow lava from Mount San Cristobal reached groundwater, causing an explosion that resulted in a crater-like depression. The lake’s water sources are rainfall and the numerous natural springs around it. The water is discharged through seepage, evaporation, and outflow to Sabang Creek, the lake’s only water outlet.

According to folklore, the inception of Sampaloc Lake is that a long time ago, a couple was living in the area, and the couple’s only treasure was a giant tamarind tree located in the garden. As the couple worried about the circumstances, they assembled a fence around the garden so that there would be no intruder who would pick mouthwatering fruits in the tamarind tree without their permission. Then God saw their doings and wanted to test the kindness of the couple. One day, a fairy disguised as an old beggar came near the garden and asked the couple to give him some tamarind fruit as a cure for his ailing grandchild. The couple replied to him and said that “we don’t want to give any fruit away”, but the old beggar still insisted on the fruit and came near to the giant tamarind tree and began to perform a magic where she strecthed out his wrinkled skinny hand to pluck the hanging fruit to the lower branches of the tree. And upon seeing what the old beggar had done, the couple became very ballistic at what they saw and they hurried back to the house and let loose the big ferocious dog to drive him away, and the old beggar was badly bitten. Immediately, the old beggar was badly hurt, but before turning from the unwelcoming spot, she touched the tamarind tree while looking at the couple, and said, “You shall be punished for your selfishness”. Then she began to slowly disappear from their eyes. Then a great storm formed with numerous thunderstorms, and heavy rains fell throughout the night. As the weather became fair the next day, the couple decided to roam around the garden, and to their surprise, they saw a vast expanse of clear water, which now appeared to be a lake. And, marvels of marvels, they saw through the transparent water the dark mass of the giant tamarind tree still rooted to the sunken ground. From that day, the place where the giant tamarind tree is located became a vast body of water called Lake Sampaloc.

Name: Sampaloc Lake
Location: San Pablo City, Laguna, Philippines

My trip to Sampaloc Lake

In the past months, I just wanna slow down life, and when I heard in the news that there’s an upcoming 3-day vacation this month, I told myself that I wanted to have a road trip to somewhere I’d never been. After researching for a place to go, I prepared myself and the things that I would be bringing on the road trip. It was Friday morning when I arrived at the Buendia Bus Terminal and rode a bus going to San Pablo City Central Terminal. The road trip lasted for two hours, and it was around 9 am when I hailed a tricycle going to Sampaloc Lake. After ten minutes, I finally saw the mesmerizing Sampaloc Lake, and I felt the warm rays of the sun, it was so good.

To walk under the shade of trees and to lose myself in the silence and solitude of the lake, and wander in such a beautiful province is a fragrance that wakes my body. It’s a simple pleasure which is so rare and precious, to waste time somewhere untainted by man’s greed and outrageous so-called needs. From my perspective, this is the kind of place where I always want to be. So I let my eyes feast on the silent lake with the mountain as a backdrop.

Then a few minutes I noticed that the mountain I saw was the towering Mt. Banahaw which I climbed in the past decade. As I continued to roam, I felt the fresh air brushing against my face and said to myself that this is the kind of break I need from the city life and pollution. This place makes me feel close to nature, and with its serene waters reflecting the sky’s hues, it offers visitors a peaceful retreat for relaxation.

Sampaloc Lake is enclosed by a 3.7-kilometer multi-use two-lane road, which is ideal for walking, jogging, or biking. As I walk, I’ll encounter people of all ages walking, running, and simply enjoying the natural wonder view. Without a doubt, it’s a haven for fitness enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. Also, I saw some animals like dogs, chickens, and roosters. I love spending my time here, and it takes me fifty-five minutes to complete the loop, and it’s just enough to burn more calories.

After having a nice scenic walking tour, I ordered mais con yelo and some snacks from one of the food stalls and I had a conversation with one of the locals living nearby. He told me that he had grown up watching this place transform, from a place where his family bought tilapia before it became a leisure area for most of the locals here and tourists who visit the place. Also, he stated that the Sampaloc Lake is an essential resting ground for migratory birds coming from Japan and China. Then, after that, I ask him to take pictures of me in front of the lake and the famous statue of tilapia located beside the lake. I stayed at the Sampaloc Lake Boardwalk for one hour and fifty minutes after that I decided to have my early lunch at SM City San Pablo. All in all, I’m always grateful to experience this simple and humble life.

How to go to Sampaloc Lake

From Buendia Bus Terminal along Taft Avenue in Pasay City, ride a DLTB bus bound for Lucena, Quezon Province, and tell the bus driver to drop you off at San Pablo City Central Terminal. Then ride a tricycle at the San Pablo City Central Terminal and tell the driver to alight you at the Sampaloc Lake Boardwalk or Tilapia Monument. The tricycle fare is 110 pesos, and it’s good for up to four persons. Note: if you have a car, you can pin San Pablo City Hall on your Google Maps or Waze app, and from there just walk a few meters to Sampaloc Lake.

Reminders:

• There’s no entrance fee in Sampaloc Lake, and it is open to the public every day.
  
• The DLTB bus fare from the LRT Buendia bus terminal going to San Pablo City Central Terminal is 193 pesos. Note: bus fare may change without prior notice. 
  
• It’s achievable to visit all seven lakes in a day, particularly if you start early in the morning. The seven lakes in San Pablo Laguna are Sampaloc Lake, Bunot Lake, Palakpakin Lake, Muhikap Lake, Yambo Lake, Pandin Lake, and Kalibato Lake. Each lake, with its unique appeal and story, creates a curtain of experiences that blends the breathtaking beauty of nature with the warm embrace of Filipino hospitality.
  
  
  

There you have it, solo travelers. Work hard, but make sure you enjoy life too because life is supposed to be filled with moments of breakthrough, growth, and happiness. Take the time to appreciate the beauty around you, savor the simple pleasures, and be present in each moment.