Roadtrip: Seven Lakes of Laguna and Beach Camping at Sariaya Quezon

These days, I prefer taking my time and immersing myself on the great outdoors, so imagine the agony I felt when Pedring takes its toll on our supposedly major climb set in Mt. Napuluaun in Benguet, making the roads not passable, breaking the bridge in Lagawe to name a few. The team was absolutely down but good enough to understand that it was all for safety reasons.

I actually have apprehensions of going even when the cancellation was not yet posted since there is another storm to pass through. I’m not that ready to be stranded and left in the open thinking of how to brave such whenever we will be caught in the middle by this. The feeling was a mixture of distress and relief, though the former was  stronger than the latter.

That same day, I ran random calls on my former audit buddies in Puregold. I was thinking of how to spend the weekends, a drinks or something or simply meet up and talk for anything that would quench the thirst of our postponed climb. I was in the middle of a busy tone when I received an invite from Sir Jim for a road trip. Literally, I could hear angels singing. Yay!

So road trip it is, we settled ourselves to run around the famous seven lakes in San Pablo Laguna. Prior to the big day, I spent an overnight at Sir Jim’s since I was the only one coming from the metro. Well, I got the bonus of having a smart conversation with him, talking randomly about life, school, diploma etc, name it .Indeed, an appetizer for the road trip.

The next morning we started off as early as 4:00am to prepare and around 5:00am we were already in the streets to meet the team at a certain gasoline station somewhere in Bacoor, Cavite. We were actually expecting a group of five since JR mentioned that he can’t so Sir Jim contacted his old friend Arvin. Last minute JR says if he can still catch up so we ended up as a group of six jolly road trippers namely : Sir Jim ,Takumi, JR, Connie, Arvin and of course me.

After a hefty breakfast shared through petty talks and laughter around 8:30am at Jollibee we passed through along Batangas, we headed for our first lake. We got few lost rounds finding the lake though, but hey...we just laugh it all out on our way through, after all this is a road trip. What’s even funny was that we even had a running chant that goes like this- Isa, dalawa kaliwa…Isa,dalawa kaliwa…- a direction actually given by a local whom we ask  along the way. And Arvin who knew Sir Jim better than us was good enough to let us have a sneak peek of the latter’s childhood sweethearts. Hahahahaha , who was that again Sir Jim? ( Peace!)


By 9:12am we were able to set foot on our first at last!

Lake Bunot

Lake Bunot is located in Brgy. Conception and has a convenient site for picnic or overnight camping with a good view of the entire lake few steps away. Just don’t forget to ask permission from nearby locals.After almost thirty minutes of embracing ourselves with the view and picture taking ( of course, mawawala ba ito? ) we braced down for our second, Lake Calibato.

Lake Calibato

The lake is in Brgy Sto. Angel and stays as my close second ( Yambo and Pandin are my favorites) out the seven lakes we had been into. It’s a perfect trip for mountaineers like us because one should do a minor trekking down to the lake. It also has a rewarding view of Mt. Banahaw plus a spot for e-camping, perfect for emo or solitary moments.

Around 10:30 we made ourselves ready for the next two: Lake Pandin and Lake Yambo. These two were neighbors located at Brgy San Lorenzo and turned out to be my favorites and so with the team I suppose.

Lake Pandin

We were just being blessed for this trip as this again requires trekking from the jump off point. Lake Pandin has also a majestic view from afar and do have a floating balsa/bamboo raft with a cottage that seems to invite you for a tour towards the beauty of the lake. Perfect for lovers ( ehem… ) , truth be told, I have imagined myself  riding in that balsa with my prince charming.Lol!

Lake Yambo

Our next stop was Lake Yambo which is adjacent to Pandin. This one was my topmost pick among the seven. Aside from the upward trekking we made for almost thirty minutes, the lake has extra bragging rights for its picturesque view from atop. It reminds me of post cards way back in my primary years and you know those days when calendars were boasting of beautiful places? I think I’ve seen this lake in there.

On our way back, we took a rest at the house of Ms. Lilibeth. She then welcomed us and answers whenever the group drops queries occasionally. But what really caught my attention was the sight of her six children with ages ranging from 2months to seven. I always melt at the sight of young children uncared even if they’re not in any way related to me. I really hope those kids could go to school through college and even silently praying their parents could take responsibility in capital letters (excuse me for being mushy). They actually gave Sir Jim an idea that they could be the next SMILE beneficiaries which we practically agreed upon.

So much for the melodrama, we descend back to Pandin around 12:00 noon. Four down! By this time, we’re hungry so after we help ourselves withthree liters of freezing soft drinks we headed back to take lunch somewhere and ended up in a mami marathon. T’was was really good, we can’t be satisfied with just a single mami soup serving, each of us got two!

Our next stop in line was Lake Mohicap and Lake Palakpakin.

Lake Mohicap

Lake Mojicap (or Mohikap) is in Barangay Sta. Catalina that also requires trekking down. Another recommended site for emo and soul searching for the view is also captivating and serene that we stayed there for almost an hour just by having a random talk on anything.

Lake Palakpakin

From there, we drove to Lake Palakpakin In Brgy. San Buenaventura. The lake has a bridge view between Brgy. San Lorenzo and Brgy. San Buenaventura. We were in time to catch the sight of children taking a dip in the lake and having fun jumping from the bridge down to the water. Awesome!

After Lake Palakpakin, we were deciding where to spend the night. After series of inquiries and unanswered phone calls to one of Sir Jim’s researched place to stay with we’re down to beach camping at Sariaya Quezon. Yay! The travel itself with each other was pandemonium! Having Arvin as the master in kalokohan, fun was really overflowing.I really enjoyed every second of trip, the welcoming presence of the beach, the taste of a new dish- Capiz,  much more with our socials that night that simply outdo those I have in the mountains. This was the BEST, so far.

The next day we headed back in San Pablo for our final lake to complete the seven, the Lake Sampaloc.

Lake Sampaloc

Lake Sampaloc is the largest among the lakes. There's a view deck near the city hospital yet we opted to trek down to the lakeside to get a much clearer view.

There you go, we’ve just completed the famous seven lakes and now it’s time to let our taste buds get acquainted with what Kusina Salud has to offer.For a heads up, this resto got good reviews in some blogger’s account and so the trip won’t be a hit without having to dine there.

However, Kusina Salud was now named Patistito which get us little confused along the way. The restaurant was more like of a garden with its different plants and a mini zoo at the back. The settings also are somewhat Spanish inspired, something like in old days that is evident in every corner from the design and through its interior. One of the staff disclosed that Kusina Salud was formerly managed by the children of Patis and Tito Tesoro and acquired by the parents sometime in April 2011. Hence, Patistito was born.

I'm usually not a fan of restaurant or any dining places around but the menus there were throbbing me with excitement over the thought of trying it so I had to see it for myself. First served was their free appetizer, the Pako Salad.

Picture of Pako Salad

Though I have not eaten pako for almost nine years yet it still was a comforting familiar dish to me but this time with a twist. I used to eat this one as gulay.Sir Jim wanted it with vinegrette but I wanted it that way, definitely a way to start off a HUGE meal.

( Place the picture of foodies here Sir Jim )

We ordered Bulalo,Fried Lumpiang Ubod, Inasal Diablo ( chicken that was soooooooo diablo in spice). Though I have nothing to compare with ( Im a Jollibee and McDo babe), I can say that the food and service are great. Highly recommended and definitely a must-try!

Looking at the team, I could sense content in their faces same as mine even though we were welcomed by always almost drizzling weather on our way home.Thankfully, we deposited ourselves safely in our homes, just the way wanted it to be.

The road trip in general remains special in my heart because that occupies some of the firsts I have now in my list. Again, I cannot end this without saying my deepest gratitude to the organizer. Thank you so much Sir Jim, for being such a person with a big heart, big enough to accommodate a near to stranger category me in your list too…:D



Photo credit: Jimmar D. Lagazo