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)
From Bernie:
LOL!!!