WANDERLUST
Text and Photos by Henrylito D. Tacio
Text and Photos by Henrylito D. Tacio
Davao de Oro is the 78th province in the Philippines. Its original name was Compostela Valley but it was changed to its present through a plebiscite that was held in 2019. It was called Davao de Oro since the province sits in areas where gold abounds.
As mountains are a rule rather than an exception, it’s not surprising that an active volcano is present. Mount Leonard may not be as popular as Mayon Volcano but it is one of the 22 active volcanoes identified by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PhiVolcs). It stands at 1,190 meters above sea level.
On top of this volcano is Lake Leonard. On how the lake was formed, Wikipedia chronicled: “Volcanic activity began 1.1 million years ago in the area and a series of lava domes in the region surrounding the lake were created about 290,000 years ago. One of the biggest of these domes collapsed leaving a caldera that in time filled with water and transformed into a freshwater lake capable of sustaining life.”
Lake Leonard used to be called Crocodile Lake. According to history, the lake was teemed with the dreaded reptilian species in the past. Habana, a famous Mansakan crocodile hunter, could attest to the existence of crocodiles on the banks of caldera lake.
What used to be a haven for crocodiles, the 200-hectare caldera lake is now teeming with tilapia.
As a tourist destination, the Lake Leonard Ecotourism Park is managed by the local government unit of Maco. Visitors to the area can do several activities aside from experiencing the serenity of the lake.
If you love nature, you better do camping in the area. There are no sleeping quarters but you can set a tent along the lake banks or hang a hammock on the tree trunks or branches.
In the early morning, the whole area is enveloped by somewhat mysterious fogs. “When the sun appears, it explodes into thousands of tiny lights undulating and sparkling among the almost unseen ripples of the lake’s water,” wrote Maestre.
When the sun has completely covered the lake, you can do bamboo rafting. Encircle the lake to see the lake’s rich biodiversity as its water is crystal clear. Some people prefer kayaking to do this.
If camping is not your thing, you can always picnic in the area. Find a spot and set your table and foods. Enjoy eating with your family members or friends while basking under the shade of the trees.
Just a 15-minute ride from Lake Leonard is the Bilawa Hot Waterfalls. Bilawa is a Mansakan word for “waterfall.”
The upper portion is teemed with trees. But what is amazing is that there’s a steam coming out from nowhere, telling you that it is very hot. The heated water flows and cascades over a rocky side of the mountain, whose surface is being deposited with minerals. The result: awesome yellow stalactites.
The first time you put your feet into the ankle-deep water, it feels warm but a few minutes later your body will get to acclimatize with it. By then, you get to enjoy taking a dip in some of its natural pools.
According to Christine T. Dompor, the provincial tourism officer of Davao de Oro, the sulfuric water from the hot waterfall has some therapeutic benefits. “If you go under the cascades, you get to feel the soothing warm water and it gives you a feeling of being massaged,” she said.
Prescilla Decena, senior tourism operation officer, said the natural health benefits you get from the relaxing warm shower include improved blood circulation, stress reduction, body detoxification, relieved muscle pain, and boosted immune system.
A caldera lake and hot waterfalls – that’s what you get to see when you visit Davao de Oro. The province is about three hours from Davao City. It is accessible by bus, van or private vehicles. – ###
