Zambales has become a popular weekend destination for people who want to spend time in nature for its unabashed beauty. With its scenic views, Mapanuepe Lake, dubbed the "New Zealand of Zambales," has become one of them.
A portion of Mapanuepe Lake has been open for campers since last year, causing people to gush about its gorgeous and unspoiled vistas ever since.
The shoreline of Mapanuepe Lake entices onlookers to enter its contours. The lush landscape, peppered with towering pine trees as cows and carabaos graze on verdant grass, gives tranquility to everyone who visits it.
(Super) Natural Stories
Some locals said a "Kapre" -- a giant supernatural figure in Filipino folklore -- is perched on a tree near the lake's edge, while a "mermaid" is hiding in its depths. Some considered these mythological creatures to be blamed for drowning deaths in the lake, yet evidence remained bleak.
What was real, however, was the lake’s emergence, caused by Mt. Pinatubo's devastating eruption in 1991.
The two main rivers in the Mapanuepe Valley – the Mapanella and Mapanuepe Rivers – which connect to the Santo Tomas River to the west, were cut off by lahar flows, forming the lakes. Floods then drowned villages as catastrophe ensued.
The only thing left from that catastrophe was the steeple of the Bojaoen church, which in and of itself became a significant landmark in Mapanuepe.
Most of the area was a farm before the eruption, home to animals like chickens, carabaos, and cows.
Evolving into a tourism hub
Mapanuepe Lake is a popular weekend getaway spot these days. Campgrounds are home to 4x4 vehicles, hammocks, tents, and what was left by campers on weekends, while weekdays emphasize quietness and purity.
In other areas of the grounds with fewer visitors, friendly animals roam and wander freely. Stores and vendors who bring their wares on motorbikes are scattered alongside little streams of fresh water and rocks that resemble benches. .
Meanwhile, the shore does not reach a cellular signal or have any electricity around it. Still, it can be a refreshing sight, especially for city people who wish to escape their worries.
With its stunning natural surroundings during the day and a starry sky at night, Mapanuepe Lake is the perfect place for anyone who wishes to disconnect and unwind.
