Lake Pandin - Laguna

Lake Pandin is one-half of the Twin Lakes and also one of the Seven Lakes of San Pablo. It is located in the City of San Pablo in the province of Laguna, 

Lake Pandin

Lake Pandin details

Lake Pandin has a total surface area of 20.5 hectares and an average depth of 63 meters or 207 feet. The lake is separated from the nearby Lake Yambo by just a narrow strip of Land. Collectively known as the twin crater lakes, both can be found in Barangay San Lorenzo in San Pablo City.

Lake Pandin - San Pablo City, Laguna

Reminds me of the film lake placid.

Despite being smaller, Lake Pandin is deeper than Lake Yambo. It is also said that the waters of Lake Pandin are the most pristine of the Seven Lakes of San Pablo.

Hi, doggy!

Bamboo rafting anyone?

The shrine at the far end of Lake Pandin

The Legend of Lake Pandin and Lake Yambo

According to legends, the twin lakes were named after two ill-fated lovers of olden times. Pandin was a very beautiful woman who was cursed not to step on the earth. While Yambo, the passionate and eager suitor, would do anything for the love of Pandin. Sadly, because no one told Yambo about the curse, he made Pandin step on the earth. Immediately, the ground shook accompanied by heavy rains. Some say the ground swallowed the lovers, others say they just vanished. Afterward, the place was quickly filled up with water and eventually became lakes. Ironically the two were separated by only a narrow strip of land much like the curse that prevented them from loving each other.

Lake Yambo as seen from the piece of land that separates the two lakes

I was lucky enough to be invited by the parents of my Grade 8 students to join them in their annual Father and Son Camping. Although we didn't actually camp (we stayed in a resort) the sense of outdoor adventure came in the form of heading to Lake Pandin to eat lunch. To my amazement, lunch really is a great motivator to anyone because in order for us to get to the lake, we had to walk about a kilometer or more and everybody had the drive to complete the trek. 

Such a beautiful clear day!

When we reached Lake Pandin, balsas with food were there waiting for us and they were manned by at least two local women.  There were almost 100 of us in the group, but amazingly we were able to fit on several of the balsas. Once everybody was boarded on their respective balsas, it was rowed and pulled (there was a rope attached from one end of the lake to the other) toward the center of the lake. While in transit, our group munched on our supply of cooked shrimp, liempo, paco salad, and local desserts. 

Check out our lunch

Our adventure didn't end there. Our main destination was actually the far end of the rope. There, you could find the shrines of San Pablo, Sto. Nino, and Mother Mary. There is also freshwater flowing through the tube placed by the locals for drinking and washing purposes. Some kids enjoyed swimming while the dads (and I) spent our time chatting and snapping pictures.

Thank God they brought a bucket.

Just when we were about to leave the shrine at the far end of Lake Pandin, heavy rain fell. Lucky for us the balsas have built-in roofs to protect us from the elements. It was such a sight to behold. The once greenish lake turned white and the vastness of the lake seems to be one with the skies. It reminded me of the movie The Mist. The heavy rain delayed our plan to hike up to the narrow strip of land to view (and probably visit Lake Yambo. Instead, my co-teachers and some kids enjoyed swimming in the lake. The idea of monsters kept on visiting my mind but it was not an unknown giant creature that made me go scampering back to the balsa. It was a large warty cane toad swimming a few meters from my face that ruined my moment. Since my ego was crushed, I found an escape by joining some brave kids who were heading up the strip to check out Lake Yambo.

Rain rain go away come again another day!

Despite the heavy rain, we still managed to reach the top and had a glimpse of Lake Yambo. There was a local safety officer station there. He's more than willing to answer your questions about the lakes. (Even the number of people who drowned there.)

A rainy afternoon on Lake Pandin.

We went down back to the balsas contented. (I'm happy that no one brought up the topic of the toad.) Several minutes later, our balsas were cruising back, and immediately upon reaching the other end of the lake, we rushed back to our rented jeepneys. Our trail is now muddy and I saw several slippers sucked down never to be seen again. 

The Backpack Adventures in Lake Pandin

Our adventure in Lake Pandin ended with everyone wet but happy.

Lake Pandin Admission Fee:

There are no admission/entrance fees for Lake Pandin. However, if you plan to ride the balsa, you need to pay 180 pesos per person. If you want to have lunch in the balsa you can avail of the balsa + lunch tour which costs P360 pesos per person.

Lake Pandin Opening Hours:

The Lake Pandin Balsa tour is available from 8AM - 6PM. However, weather conditions might affect the schedule. 

Why visit Lake Pandin?

If you love nature and are looking for an affordable adventure near Manila then Lake Pandin is one of those places that you should visit. It is one of the seven lakes of San Pablo City and honestly is the most interesting among them. It is highly suggested that you ride the balsa and have lunch at the far end of the lake. 

Getting to Lake Pandin:

From Manila or Alabang, board a bus heading to Lucena and ask the conductor to drop you off at San Pablo City. 

Travel time: 2 - 3 hours depending on traffic.

Bus Fare: 300 -350 pesos

From there, you could board a jeepney that will bring you to a drop-off point where you could walk to Lake Pandin. From there follow a path leading to the lake. It would take you at least 15 minutes by foot.

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