Manilatitis is Not Cool – Avoid It By Visiting Pandin Lake!
When in Manila, one can suffer from what I call “Manilatitis”, a disease common to individuals who have stayed in Manila for too long.
The Targets:
Anyone can be a target.
The Causes:
Long working hours,
Controlling bosses,
Daily traffic jams,
Noise pollution,
Unending deadlines.
The Symptoms:
Swelling of the eye bags from lack of sleep,
Pimples due to anxiety, irritability or anger,
Falling or drying of hair from constant head scratching,
Darkening circles around the eye;
May also include changes in personal relationships often characterized by impatience, mood swings, and magnanimous servings of rice, sweets, or just anything edible.
Diagnosis:
Take a break.
The Cure:
Pandin Lake!
I can’t imagine myself not living in Manila. I have been here ever since I can remember. During my younger years, my family would drive to Ilocos Sur during the summer and we would stay there until classes resumed. I enjoyed those vacations so much. However, I still yearned and anticipated every return home.
As much as I love living here, there are days that I just curse this city in ten different languages. Let’s be honest: the lifestyle here can be really challenging. Just imagine how much traffic, pollution, and extreme weather changes we go through EVERY SINGLE day. I’m not even going to mention the burgeoning careers of hoodlums and insert-the-name-of-a-gang-here.
That’s why it is so important to drive yourself out of this city at least once a month, and enjoy God’s gift to the Filipinos.
Avoid Manilatitis at Pandin Lake
Pandin Lake is about 2-3 hours away from Manila. Don’t worry about getting car sick. Use this time to reconnect. Sing your stress out to the innocent trees, roads and bystanders. Fill in your friends/family/partner/whoever’s with you with the latest gossip.
Pandin Lake is located in Brgy San Lorenzo, San Pablo, Laguna. It’s a part of the 7-lake system in San Pablo. Just behind Lake Pandin, separated by a narrow strip of land, is Lake Yambo. Legend has it that Pandin was cursed and couldn’t step on earth; her lover, Yambo, wasn’t aware of this and made her step on it. The earth grumbled and a massive downpour was experienced, giving birth to what we now have: Lake Pandin and Lake Yambo.
Your journey to Lake Pandin doesn’t end when you park your car. A semi-hike of about 15-30 minutes will give you the extra time to wrap up your I-hate-my-boss story.
I guarantee you, it will all be worth it!
The first glance at Lake Pandin alone will leave you breathless. The cool, fresh air is sure to take your mind off your worries. Who knew something this beautiful existed here?
Your P400 will go a long way. A hearty, delicious meal, which includes grilled tilapia, shrimp in coconut sauce, rice, paku with tomatoes and fresh buko juice will be waiting for you in your own balsa, along with this calming view.
This community is self-sufficient. They get their food and the food they serve the visitors from the lake. Their cold, drinking water comes from a nearby falls.
And there’s me trying their makeshift duyan 😉
About 3/4 of the community’s population consists of women. The paddlers are women, too. I was told that they were part of an organization called the Samahan ng mga Maliliit na Mangingisda sa Lawa ng Pandin. The profit they get is allocated to making sure the Pandin Lake is taken cared of and nourished; and to support their families. As you can see, your visit here will not just help you, but will help them, as well.
The tour of the lake is about 3 hours, but if you haven’t gotten over its beauty by then, you can still lay your picnic blanket on the lakeside and savor the scenery and the air.
So, when in Manila, watch out for the symptoms, you might have Manilatitis. Know the cure is 3 hours away. Head to Pandin Lake now! SMS Ate Siony at 09299789565 or 09079952983 and she’s sure to take care of you. Get well soon!:)
