I grew up in a city in Laguna famously known for its seven lakes. From my baptism to family reunions, my first few
childhood moments all happened in that one place: San Pablo City. I can recall having a simple life in that city and enjoyed all those little moments I had with my family—I didn’t ask for more.
Having to move to Metro Manila eventually, my perspective towards my hometown shifted. I constantly dreaded revisiting every month. However, as I grew older, I began to notice the charm of that provincial city and recalling how the simple lifestyle gave me comfort and peace every time I returned.
When the pandemic struck, my visits to San Pablo City have significantly lessened. It was difficult for my family to enter the city because of the implemented quarantine measures and total lockdowns. It was only in the latter half of 2020 that I was able to head back to San Pablo. While my time in the province was mostly spent in the isolation of our home, I am grateful that I revisited the one place in the city that would always make me feel at home: The Sampaloc lake.
It was 15 minutes away from my house. Out of all the seven lakes, Sampaloc Lake is most visited by both tourists and locals alike because of its convenient location near the city square. Aside from being a tourist attraction and a recreational spot, it has also provided livelihood to those living around
the area.
Fishing became a main source of income as Sampaloc Lake is a good source for getting local fish such as tilapia or ayungin (silver perch). During my most recent visit, I was greeted by the familiar sight of fishermen around the lake with their fishnets and cages. Only this time, they were wearing masks.
The lake is also known for its four-kilometer bike trail, which is very appealing to avid cyclists. People have the option to bring their own bikes or rent them for around Php 20 per hour. My visits to San Pablo City would not be complete without at least one bike ride around the trail. The lake was a safe space for me to enjoy and relax, whether it would be alone or with my relatives.
Yet, in my last visit, I was surprised to find that there were numerous cyclists that were still biking through the lake. Some of them were not even wearing face masks and shields while doing so.
It was jarring to see that there was little regard for social distancing protocols as it seemed like a typical day in the lake. Aside from the people wearing face masks, my view of the lake hardly looked any different from how it looked like before quarantine. Families of five were biking closely to each other while groups of friends were catching up by the lakeside. It was clearly challenging for everyone, including myself, to stay at least one meter apart from one another other.
After several months in quarantine, I felt fulfilled that I went back to the place I call home. San Pablo will always be my safe haven away from the hustle and bustle of Metro Manila. It will always serve as a reminder for me to remember my roots, too.
Although it was great to return to my hometown, it was still far from the San Pablo that I grew up knowing—the one that brims with life and joy. However, all is not lost. With discipline and compassion, our united efforts will bring back San Pablo to the place I learned to love and call home.
