Stunning Images - Sampaloc Lake Island of Luzon, Philippines

Stunning Images - Sampaloc Lake Island of Luzon, Philippines

Lake Sampaloc is an inactive volcanic maar on the island of Luzon, the Philippines. It is one of the lake in the Seven Lakes of San Pablo, Laguna. Nearly half of the lake's depth has a shallow depression at the lake's bottom, indicating its volcanic origin. The lake is located behind San Pablo city hall. It is dotted with floating restaurants along its shoreline serving delectable Filipino and Chinese cuisines. The lake abounds with tilapia, bangus, carp, and several species of shrimps. Sampaloc Lake is the city’s biggest and premier lake, with an area of 104 hectares, a maximum depth of 27 meters, approximately 85% of its volume below 10 meters and 15% below 24 meters.

Stunning Images - Sampaloc Lake Island of Luzon, Philippines

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 peltering 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 Lake Sampaloc.

Stunning Images - Sampaloc Lake Island of Luzon, Philippines

Sampaloc Lake is one of the seven lakes which make San Pablo City famous. It is also the most accessible being just in the vicinity of the City Hall. Interestingly, the city hall is called by the locals as Kapitolyo because it looks like one. This has confused me at first knowing that San Pablo is not the capital of Laguna hence, why it would have a Kapitolyo? To get to Sampaloc Lake, use the city hall (their Kapitolyo) as your beacon because it easier to ask for directions for the city hall.

Stunning Images - Sampaloc Lake Island of Luzon, Philippines

Once you are in the city hall vicinity, the lake may already be viewed from the park at the left side of the building across the street. There is also a mini park at the lakeside a stone throw away from this one. This park is a favorite for dog lovers as they use the area to show off their pets. We have seen canine friends doing tricks which include diving and swimming in the lake. A 3.8km concrete road goes around the lake making it ideal for biking and jogging. I heard that efforts are being made to remove residential houses from the lake shore particularly those on the right side of the road if your are moving clockwise. If not for these houses, the view around the lake will be unhampered.