Konted's Make My Day 2: Laguna de Bay: Finding Serenity

Laguna de Bay: Finding Serenity

At this time of the year, when weather is unpredictable, I always find myself driving leisurely through the towns around Laguna de Bay. There is something that draws me to the lake. There is an irresistible call. And I keep returning without fail. Like the swallows of Capistrano.

View of Laguna de Bay from the Jala-Jala- Pililla area in Rizal province.

Panoramic view of Laguna de Bay from a vantage point near the Lumban-Cavinti boundary in Laguna.

From the Baras-Morong district in Rizal, one can have a sweeping view of Laguna de Bay.

Gazing at the tranquil waters of the lake from a fish port. I consider this as one of my simple pleasures.

Considered as the third largest lake in Southeast Asia, Laguna de Bay stretches from the province of Laguna to neighboring Rizal and some parts of the metropolis.

Within the tranquil waters of the lake, which has a depth of almost 10 feet, are numerous fish pens and cages.

Enclosed in nets fortified by bamboos, Nile tilapia, big head carp, sea catfish or kanduli, bangus, ayungin are cultured. Outside these enclosures, one may fish to his heart's content.

Fish pens, all in all, occupy approximately 30,000 acres. Laguna de Bay's size is 240,000 acres.

Fishpens in the Cardona-Binangonan area

Laguna Lake Development Authority grants licenses to operate fish pens and cages.

Bamboos are used to fortify the net enclosures.

A quiet afternoon at the Angono Lakeshore Park in Rizal province.

Statues of two nymphs at Angono Lakeshore Park. Nymphs are said to be the goddesses of the lake.

Wooden boats berthed near the lighthouse in Tanay, Rizal.

Binangonan's fish port

Laguna de Bay's bounty

Folks living near the lake are assured of a bountiful catch. They have learned ways to concoct their own dishes. Kanduli sa Miso, Pangat na dalag, Pritong Bangus, Kare Kareng Dagat, Nilasing na Hipon, etc are some of the delectable dishes served in restaurants. These food items are priced reasonably and served generously.

Pinangat na Dalag at Michael's Resto in Binangonan, Rizal. Dalag is mudfish. Tomatoes, onions, chili and tamarind are added. It is freshly cooked when served.

Nilasing na hipon at Michael's. It is liquor marinated fried shrimps. Crunchy.

Kanduli sa Miso. Kanduli is Catfish while Miso is fermented seasoning paste of soybeans. Mustasa leaves, lemon grass, ginger and finger chili, tamarind puree and radish are mixed for that unique taste. Best served at Kainan sa Tabing Lawa in Tanay, Rizal near Laguna de Bay.

Ginataang Suso with Kangkong

Pritong Dalag with tomatoes and onions at Atelier's Resto in Angono owned by artist Nemi Miranda

Kare Kareng Dagat is a mixture of Tahong (mussels), shrimps, eggplant, stringbeans with peanut butter at Balaw Balaw.

Sinigang na Hipon at Balaw Balaw

Fried Shrimp at Kainan sa Tabing Lawa in Tanay

Sinigang na Tilapia at Kainan sa Tabing Lawa in Tanay

In most lake shore towns, resorts have been built as travelers have begun discovering the attractions in these places. Punta de Fabian in Baras, Koala Bay in Cardona and Jonel's in Calamba are some of the fine resorts near Laguna de Bay. Of course, a picturesque view of the lake is one of the come-ons.

Punta de Fabian is a first class resort perched on a hill along the national road of Baras in Rizal province.

The place provides a commanding view of Laguna de Bay and the towns of Baras, Morong, Tanay, Pililla and Jala Jala.

One of several pools at Punta de Fabian

Majestic view from another area in Punta de Fabian

Punta de Fabian has complete facilities.

Guest rooms

Jonel's private pool for the family. It is located near the boundary of Calamba and Los Banos in Laguna province.

Inspired perhaps by the beauty of Laguna de Bay and other natural surroundings, the towns around the lake boast of producing outstanding painters, musicians, sculptors, woodcarvers and the like. They have excelled in their chosen fields of endeavor. Carlos 'Botong' Francisco, Lucio San Pedro, Nemi Miranda, Perdigon Vocalan, Vicente Manansala, Pitok Blanco, Luciano Dans, Fred Baldemor, Danny Dalena, Glenn Cagandahan, to name a few.

Dubbed "The Maestro", Carlos "Botong"Francisco is perhaps the greatest muralist of all time. He was declared posthumously a national artist in the field of visual arts in 1973. He spent most of his life in his native town of Angono in Rizal. His works have been exhibited at the Ayala Museum and Yuchengco Museum. (carlosfranciscobio; caption is mine)

Bayanihan sa Bukid by Carlos "Botong" Francisco (pinterestpic; caption is mine)

Commemorative stamp of Carlos "Botong" Francisco (gridcrosser; caption is mine)

A National Artist, Vicente Manansala was a renowned painter and illustrator. His works are on display at art galleries around the world. (vicentemanasalablogspot; caption is mine)

A painting by Manansala (geringerartpic)

Although Manansala was from Macabebe, Pampanga, he stayed for a long time in Binangonan, Rizal. His house in Binangonan, which is now a National Landmark, has a picturesque view of Laguna de Bay. (nhcphistoricsites pic; caption is mine)

Renowned painter Pitok Blanco of Angono, Rizal. His wife and children are excellent painters too.(expatpic; caption is mine)

A painting of Pitok Blanco depicting the annual fluvial procession in Angono, Rizal.

Piknik sa Lawa by Jose "Pitok" Blanco. It is an adaptation from Jose Rizal's novel Noli Me Tangere.

Painter Danny Dalena is a native son of Pakil, Laguna. His art gallery cum museum is just across Pakil Church. (kulaydiwapic; caption is mine)

A painting by Danny Dalena (kulaydiwa)

Danny Dalena's Table Number 1 (spotpic; caption is mine)

World-class sculptor Fred Baldemor of Paete, Laguna (flickr; caption is mine)

Work of Fred Baldemor (flickr)

A bronze statue of boxing champ Manny Pacquiao at the SM Mall of Asia. It was done by Fred Baldemor as commissioned by Unilab-Alaxan. (flickrpic; caption is mine)

Nemi Miranda's painting priced at P1.5 million

Perdigon Vocalan's works are on display at the Balaw Balaw Restaurant and Art Gallery.

The name Laguna de Bay literally means The Lake of Bay. Laguna means lake while Bay refers to the town of Bay or Bae which was the capital town of the province in the old days.

Just going around the loop of the lake, on board reliable vehicles, is in itself rewarding. Views of mountains, of lush green fields, of ancient trees and beautiful flowers by the side of the road and of smiling townsfolk will make you want to visit these places, again and again.

- Konted

The welcome arch at the town of Famy near Pangil and Siniloan in Laguna. The town's name was taken from the surname of General Emilio Aguinaldo's mother.