When I first heard of Lake Apo, I thought of Mount Apo, and could be a lake located close to the famous mountain.
The Lake Apo that I’ll be talking about is in Barangay Guinoyoran in Valencia, Bukidnon.
There are two ways in reaching this hidden paradise. According to ChooseIliganCity:
That is taking the northern provincial road which is right at the corner of Jollibee, while the other one is taking the south entrance. Taking the north entrance has approximately 12 kilometer in distance while the south entrance approximately will take 7 kilometers highway ride and another 7 kilometers ride going up to the lake, in total 14 kilometers.
If you’re going there using private vehicles, BETTER use a pickup truck or vans with high wheels. Going there is too rough.
Habal-habal is the only available public transport. So prepare P200 one way.
Large part of the lots around the lake is owned by Dr. Almer Alfonso. It is God sent that he owns the majority as he is not only a medical doctor, but a friend of nature as well.
Dr. Alfonso is a staunched advocate of environmentalism. He planted several trees around the lake, and even asked the residents to wash clothes in the lake outlet, instead of around the lake. Admirably, the Guinoyoran villagers complied.
The doctor setup solar panels to power his rest-house cum resort.
Relaxing, simply waiting for lunch.
This was taken between 5:40am to 6:00am.
I took this while kayaking. Risky, yes, especially for my Nikon D40. Haha.
Dr. Alfonso’s resthouse. It is 2 storey, has 2 rooms and one large area in the second floor, and the whole house can be rented for P10,000 a day.
Sunrise watching in an awesome place. Incomparable.
The design of the whole place is cowboy west inspired.
My first kayak experience. Scary. But the lifejacket gave me confidence. Kayak is P200 per hour, for walk-in visitors. Free for guests who would rent the whole house.
Xyza and Jam seem to be enjoying this toy for grandmothers. Hahaha. Pedal boat is P200 per hour, for walk-in visitors. Free for guests who would rent the whole house.
Shot almost noontime.
You have the option to use this one to go to the other side. But this one is exhausting.
One of the two rooms upstairs.
The large space in the second floor. Great for large groups. The whole house could accommodate 20 to 25 people.
We brought our own food to be cooked.
The jet ski can be rented for P3,500 per hour.
Prenuptial photoshoot is P2,500 for one whole day.
The whole premises is available as a commercial resort, but the owner does not do intense marketing to avoid overuse of the place, similar to what is Boracay is now.