Eating out is a usual thing to do in a Mother’s Day Celebration, since we are sick and tired of the usual getaway, my sister and I decided to go to a place wherein we know they can relax yet enjoy the view. Having an advance booking with the place is a must, since we don’t want any unnecessary things that will ruin our plan to happen.

Together with our family, we invited all my other titas and travelled to San Pablo, Laguna (located here in the Philippines). San Pablo Laguna is also known as the “City of 7 Lakes”, almost 2-3 hours land travel from Mania. Pandin Lake is one of the less known lake in San Pablo Laguna. To name the other six, they are the Bunot, Cabilato, Yambo, Palakpakin, Muhikap and Sampaloc Lake.

Since it is a Sunday, we decided to visit the San Pablo Cathedral to hear some homily, and thank God about the special day.

At exactly 10 o’clock we reach Lake Pandin (along the way, you will see road signs going to the different lake of San Pablo), a local guides (usually composed of young boys) will help you and guide you on your way. The guide mentioned that it is a 15-minute walk from the parking area, me and my sister got worried with the inclined and rough way to the lake since we are with some not so old parents and titas.

Grateful that our relatives and parents made it to the lake (yet a little exhausted), we are all awe with the view that we’ve seen. Several bamboo rafts parked near the shore and some locals that welcome their visitors.

Our raft is ready and we are about to explore the beauty of the lake. They served our reserved food which is composed of steamed rice wrapped in banana leaf, grilled tilapia, shrimp with coconut milk, pako salad and mineral as our drink. Before they used to serve fresh buko juice, but because of typhoon Glenda, the coconut trees in San Pablo got affected. (Rate is PHP 360 inclusive of foods and the raft, if you will bring your own food, you just need to pay 180 for the raft).

Our first stop will require little energy, we need to climb a stairs to go to the view deck of Lake Yambo (the other lake of San Pablo), we decided to eat our lunch first. We are happy with our food, the tastes compliments with the view of the place.

Aside from eating, other activities that you can do while in Lake Pandin is swimming, swing on the tree branch, visit their man-made grotto, take photos while in the raft, and swim again.

We are grateful that we visited the place together with our loved ones, far from the usual fine and dine restaurants that offer the same type of food and experience. I think me and my sister succeeded with our plan to make that day a special and memorable one.

As I checked all our photographs in our Pandin Lake trip, it makes me realized how blessed San Pablo to be surrounded with those beautiful lakes, and how blessed all of us to be given a chance to explore all the unexplored places here in the Philippines.

Look! Look! Look deep into nature and you will understand everything. - Albert Einstein