Lake wood lake placid
Text and photos by Bernard L Supetran
Aside from the country’s beguiling beaches that have captured the Filipinos’ fancy, the archipelago’s placid lakes are another fascinating body of water which are largely untapped in tourism.
One of these equally enchanting lakes is Lakewood, tucked neatly in the hills of the town with the same name in Zamboanga del Sur.
Situated some 42 kilometers away from the provincial capital of Pagadian City, Lakewood is a proverbial best kept-secret which has been undetected by the tourist radars of many travelers.
The town’s indigenous inhabitants were the Subanens tribe who originally lived in the banks of Lake Lanao. When the Islamic missionaries came to Lanao del Sur, the tribe moved south towards the Zamboanga del Sur, where they discovered a big body of water they called “Danao Guiyawan”, which literally means “Lake of the Woods”.
Because of the abundance of the source of food, the Subanens eventually settled in the place. The most popular freshwater fish species in the province—the carpa and porang—can only be caught here.
When American governor of the Moro Province Gen. Leonard Wood ordered the exploration of Mindanao’s interior towns from Iligan to Misamis, they stumbled upon the lake, which they renamed “Lake Leonard Wood”, which eventually became “Lakewood.”
Unlike most lakes which have been plagued by illegal fish pens, the 800-hectare oversized lagoon is a pristine playground for nature lovers and water sports enthusiasts.
At dawn, a kaleidoscope unfolds in the horizon to welcome a brand new day. At dusk, the town’s rugged terrain is silhouetted by the setting sun which will surely evoke the inherent poet and romantic in every person.
While every twist and turn along the road is a good vantage point to the placid lake, Alindahaw Lakeview Resort offers the best seat in the house with its unobstructed view.
As if situated in the middle of nowhere, it will surprise unsuspecting visitors with its amenities—rooms with a stunning view, lakeside kiosks for picnics, videoke bar, restaurant, function rooms, and billiards, among others.
The resort also has four swimming pools, with the fourth one designed for a pool party. Surely, the owners—the Cerilles family—know how to make a lakeshore getaway more fun.
A must-do is kayaking to commune with nature, with only the sounds of the water’s ripples created with every stroke breaking the silence of the tranquil lake. From this Eskimo-inspired boat, guests can paddle close to the resort’s floating cottages, pyramid buoys and to the lake’s fringes.
For a shot of adrenaline rush, guests can glide across the lake through its zipline which can accommodate four persons at a given time.
Other leisure activities are jetskiing and cruising so guests can explore Lakewood’s vast expanse.
But still, for many, merely gazing at the water which sparkles like diamonds under the sun—catching up on a novel or chatting with family and friends—is mesmerizing and rejuvenating enough.
Those who haven’t had enough of lazing in the lake can frolic at Lily's Hidden Spring in Bgy. Tubod, and the Mainit Waterfall in Bgy. Gatub.
HOW TO GET THERE:
The town can be reached by about a one-hour van ride from the Cerilles Terminal in Pagadian City. Travelers from Zamboanga City or Dipolog can get off at Tubod junction along the national highway and take a habal-habal or single motorcycle to Alindahaw Resort.
