Calamba: Center point of lake tourism retold

By: roman romeo g. nagpala*

CALAMBA in Laguna is indelibly etched in the pages of Philippine history. The old Calamba town gained its international renown as the birthplace of the Great Malayan, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, June 19, 1861.

This coming 147^th Rizal Day again provided the pride and the strength to this septuagenarian (almost!) to write about our national hero’s place of birth – Calamba, now a city since April 21, 2001. The lawmaker of the Calamba city hood, Honorable Joaquin M. Chipeco, Jr., is now the City Mayor.

Tourism campaign

The city government fully supports the promotional campaign of the Department of Tourism selling the Philippines to the world as tourist destination.

Since Laguna Lake is now a member of the world’s living lakes organization, why not develop lake tourism in Laguna and make the birthplace of our national hero its center point?

Undeniably, Calamba has the solid grounds as tourist destination, namely:

1. Important historic landmarks – the Rizal Shrine and the century-old Spanish-built church, where a marker shows the exact spot where Rizal was baptized June 24, 1861.

2. Proximity from international and domestic airports; accessibility via highway infrastructures, and facility of modern telecommunications.

3. Calamba practically becomes the jumping board to tourist spots in Laguna, e.g., Pagsanjan Falls, Lake Caliraya, Hidden Valley of Alaminos, Sampaloc Lake in San Pablo City, Enchanted Kingdom of Santa Rosa City, Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery, and many other scenic views.

4. The traditional hospitality and the general attitude of its people with welcome smile, honesty and integrity of the national hero.

5. The prevailing peace and order in our hero’s hometown and province; definitely, no dreaded Abu Sayyaf in Laguna Lake.

6. Above all, Laguna de Bai is the strongest point in this proposition; being a member now of the “World Living Lakes Organization.”

Lake Tourism

With the advent of modern transportation and communication facilities, it is now time to convert the lake into a veritable playground, a playing field for local and foreign tourists – the center of lake tourism in the Philippines, particularly as a safe venue in water sports activities and competition. The waterways of the lake could be the solution to the perennial traffic problems of Metro-Manila.

• Laguna de Bai played vital roles in Philippine history.

• It is through the lake via the Pasig River from Manila that the Spanish conquistadores landed in Laguna and converted its natives to Christianity.

• Ancient Chinese merchants used the lake as their trading routes to the shoreline villages.

• Coastal residents plied the waterways to reach various barangays surrounding the lake and the prosperous Maynilad.

• Remember Bapor Tabo of Pepe Rizal’s fame? Historically mentioned in Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere, Bapor Tabo was the big ferryboat (casco) of olden times plying the pristine waters of Laguna de Bai to Manila through the Pasig River.Why don’t we relive Pepe’s wonderful experience plying the lake? Not in yesteryears’ Bapor Tabo but in today’s modern ferry boats.This simple heritage luxury is now available from the shoreline of Calamba. A private houseboat that can accommodate safely and comfortably groups of people on board is providing a unique travel experience – Cruising Laguna de Bai.In full cooperation and serious coordination with the Department of Tourism, Cruising Laguna de Bai can be a simple, yet successful domestic tourism linkage hereabout.

This is a Filipino-type development. The modern-day Bapor Tabo in Laguna is now a reality. It was built by local craftsmen at the shoreline Barangays Palingon, Lingga, and Sampiruhan using fiberglass technology.

In 2-3 hours-cruising, one would capture the naked beauties of Maria Makiling – the mountain; and talim – an island within the lake with its own “Bundok ng Susong Dalaga” proudly erect on her top for viewers to behold; plus the 3-hectare Wonder Island Resort in Calamba – an island hideaway in Laguna de Bai.

This rare water travel opportunity is now offered by Wonder Island Resort in Calamba. The Philippine Convention and Visitors Corporation, the marketing arm of DOT, can organize exciting Lakbay-Aral package tours for students, LGUs, and tourism private sectors. Wonder Island welcomes such arrangement with open arms apropos cruising Laguna de Bai aboard its modern-day Bapor Tabo as a special treat.

Corporate planning sessions, workshops, conferences, and simple meetings and outings aboard the island’s houseboat now become especial requested arrangement. On special occasion, island garden weddings and receptions have been accommodated.“Cruising Laguna de Bai,” complete with traditional Pinoy agahan, awaits the young, energetic Tourism Secretary Ace Durano – courtesy of the island hideaway in Laguna de Bay.According to the island father Rudy Pua, his invitation is open for the tourism secretary to discover and experience personally the blissful joy of Pepe’s lake cruising on board bapor tabo.

Cruising Laguna de Bay is a new product. It is an answer to what the tourism private sector is searching for. It is a pro-poor thrust to uplift economic life of marginal fishermen around the lake with the expected influx of domestic and international tourists.

Jointly, the city mayor and the island father recently developed the city landing area of the island resort into a shoreline park and fish port. The park is now a regular promenading area of local folks and fish port of produce from Talim Island. It will soon become a tourist plaza; a haven of souvenir items to showcase Laguna’s craftsmanship: Paete/Pakil’s wood carvings/paper maches, Liliw’s abaca hemp shoes/slippers, Lumban’s jusi barongs; sweet-tasting tropical fruits, native delicacies, cut-flowers, exotic ornamental plants, woven baskets, and other produce.*(Note: Lolo Rom is PR Consultant, Wonder Island Resort, Mobile # 0916-627-3433); E-Mail add: nagpalaromy@yahoo.com.ph

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