Libotero – Philippine Travel Photo Blog

Part 8 of a series.

DAY 2.

Upon arrival in Lake Sebu, Eric and I checked in at Punta Isla Lake Resort, which is arguably the best resort in the area. Since the rooms overlooking the lake were fully booked, we got a fan room on the other side of the resort. We quickly settled in our room and then headed back to the hotel lobby for lunch!

Punta Isla Lake Resort has its own restaurant and you can either dine at the balcony or at the floating restaurant. We chose to dine at the balcony since they charge for every table at the floating restaurant. When the waiter gave us the menu, we were amazed as TILAPIA dishes dominated the menu.. All the ways a tilapia could be cooked and prepared, they’re all on the menu… Some of them are even quite unimaginable. Nilasing na Tilapia, anyone? How about Spicy Tilapia Fillet? Tilapia Vegetables? Kinilaw na Tilapia? Or do you want your tilapia to sizzle in brown sauce? How about Tilapora (Tilapia Tempura)? Chicharon Tilapia? Pinaputukang Tilapia? Sinugbang Tilapia? Laswa na Tilapia? Sinugnug naTilapia? Sinigang na Tilapia? Sinangay na Tilapia? or Tilapia Vegetable w/ Zepo Guizado? MIND-BOGGLING RIGHT?!

We weren’t surprised though as we’re in the vicinity of a freshwater lake and tilapias are closely associated with freshwater lakes. If you’re not in the mood for a tilapia party, there are basic meat dishes too such as fried chicken, grilled pork belly, etc., but YOU SHOULD NOT LEAVE LAKE SEBU WITHOUT EATING TILAPIA! Or, it could also be said as, YOU SHOULD NOT VISIT LAKE SEBU IF YOU’RE NOT EATING TILAPIA! Haha! Harsh!

For our appetizer, we tried the Tilapia Chicharon. Oooh, it was so crunchy and you should dip it in vinegar for more satisfaction.

We also tried the Spicy Tilapia Fillet and Sinugbang Tilapia. That was more than enough as each serving is good for 3 people and is priced at just a little over P100 each… Very reasonable, right?

I’ve never enjoyed tilapia as I did in Lake Sebu. I can really feel the freshness of the fish. As far as I can remember though, I never ate tilapia in Manila or Cebu for some weird reasons.. Ummm, well, for one, I’ve always thought that tilapia is a dirty fish and is only for those who have “matibay na sikmura”. LOL. Anyway, I think that “mentality” will remain with Lake Sebu as an exception. I shall only eat tilapia in LAKE SEBU. Bow! Heehee…

(…to be continued)

Part 7 of a series.

DAY 1.

It was already past midnight when everyone decided to call it a night and all the chit-chats at the Byahe Na! fireside forum with the SOCCSKSARGEN Bloggers have ended. After the very successful event, Eric and I took a tricycle back to Hotel Dolores but we couldn’t rest just yet as we had to pack up again as we’ll be leaving very early the next day for our road trip to Lake Sebu. At around 1am, we finished packing up and were entitled to our much deserved rest and sleep! Zzzzzzz….

DAY 2.

While I was still dreaming, Eric was already wide awake at the lobby posting blog updates. As soon as my alarm woke me up at 7:30am, we walked out for breakfast. Kuya Avel suggested that we try the “carinderias” inside the General Santos Public Market and so we did. The public market is located just beside Hotel Dolores. It took us quite some time to find the carinderias as they were hidden at the central part of the market. There were several of them but we chose the one which we assumed to be was the “cleanest”. When we finally settled in at our choice carinderia, we were greeted by an array of food selections. As suggested by Kuya Avel, we tried the “Sinigang na Bariles” and at P20 ONLY per serving, it was SUPER WORTH EVERY PESO! You should never leave Gensan without trying it!

Anyway, after breakfast, we went back to the hotel, prepared to check out and left the hotel before 9am. We took a tricycle bound for Bulaong Terminal. From there, we took a Yellow Bus to Koronadal City, South Cotabato (Marbel). The trip takes at least an hour and costs P80. From Koronadal, we took another Yellow Bus to Surallah, South Cotabato. At P24 per person, the trip took us at least 30 minutes and the bus dropped us at the town’s public market. When we got off the bus, I immediately felt the slightly cooler temperature than that of Gensan’s. That’s because the town is already slightly elevated. From there, we took a tricycle to the town’s van terminal and then finally, we took a van to Lake Sebu! The trip took us at least 30 minutes and costs P30. The van wasn’t airconditioned but I didn’t mind as the wind was getting cooler and cooler when we got nearer and nearer to Lake Sebu! At noontime, we were already at the town of Lake Sebu! The van dropped us at the town’s public market and from there, we took a habal-habal to Punta Isla Lake Resort, where we’ll be staying in for the night…

At exactly 12-noon, we arrived at the resort and we were MESMERIZED by the images that flashed before us.

Lake Sebu, as viewed from the balcony of Punta Isla Lake Resort’s lobby

(…to be continued)