This is the Mapanuepe Lake - a hidden paradise located at the Eastern Part of San Marcelino, Zambales, western part of Central Luzon. A breath-taking place, surrounded by hills and mountains with blue and crystal- clear water with Native settlers around the area. Where, in this place lies a dreadful Story... It took us almost 1 and half hour to travel from the town proper.

This Lake is said to be an outcome of the Mt. Pinatubo eruption which happened almost 27 years ago. Under this lake is a whole Village that was covered with Lahar and Water. When the said Volcano erupted, the drainage of the Mapanuepe river was blocked by lahar thus, it flooded the Mapanuepe Valley along with its settlements. Much tales will be told later with this dreadful story...Meanwhile, let me show you how hard to reach this, now a considered "Hidden Paradise of the Lost Village."

Before we can reach this place, we have to pass through the desert- like lahar deposits that covered an entire river.

Thank God, the government made a dike that serves as a covering to the next village and also serves as the little road going to the Mapanuepe Lake. If you can see the little dot-like in the picture, that's a jeepney passing through the lahar desert going to another Village.

Because there were only few passenger jeepneys that have the guts to pass through, you can always see like this one in the picture, only in the Philippines of course... So if you are a tourist and with no vehicle, expect to ride this one when going to the "lost Village,". It's a good thing that I had my own tricycle, so we didn't have to ride such a full packed jeepney.

It was an unforgettable travel with my wife and our son going to the Mapanuepe lake. We had a bonding time on our way, but full of excitement. After this desert, we had to pass a more or less 150 ft. above sea level Mountain before reaching the Barangay Aglao where the lost Village adjacent to. Luckily, Barangay Aglao is located on the hills next to the lost Village so it was spared from the lahar and the raging waters.

On the Mountain top, you can see the river, now covered with lahar. When the rainy days come in the Philippines, this place along with the surrounding Villages are dreaded to be flooded, so most of the Villagers called Aetas settled on the hills. Along the way, you can see them , they are the early native settlers of the Archipelago and most of them are here on these Mountainous places in the Philippines. But of course, they are now modernized unlike before, that they were just naked wearing only "bahag."

"Bahag"- Thong (clothing), a narrow garment which primarily covers the pubic area

source

See the difference?

Aetas are good hunters, luckily we have seen their captured native pigs they brought as gifts for the newly wed in the Village. They said that they will pass the Mapanuepe lake, because the Village of the newly wed was on the other side. They were also family- lovers as one of the Filipino traits. They were also friendly and happy to serve us when we got there. Our goal in going there, was to reach the Famous Steeple of the church that was buried with lahar and water along with the whole Village. In order to go there, we had to rent a boat and our driver was a Native Aeta. The rent was 700 Pesos and that is less than $20 USD each boat with a maximum passengers of 6 including the driver.

On the way to the Steeple, I felt a sudden fear, knowing that under us was a whole Village with the remains of the dead Villagers and dreadful memories. There were stories of mysteries about the lake. Some say that there were mermaids living in the lake who were taking people and drown them. But because, I had the goal to reach the Steeple I had to conquer my fear. I guess when we have to explore new places, Fear is always there but we have to conquer it, for Fear is just a " False Enemy Appearing to be Real." (see my fearful face in the picture below)

But guess what, I had conquered my Fear. We traveled for about 10 minutes and we were able to reach the Church's Steeple safe and sound. Along with us on our boat is @jhaveapostol, he had the guts to climb the Steeple and was able to touch the Cross of the buried Church. He had to climb slowly because the steps were somehow sleepery. He was so happy that I took a photo of him touching the Cross. Maybe it was his goal to touch the Cross but for me I was happy just to reach the Steeple and took a picture of it.

Another goal was to go to the other side of the lake and swim. We could only swim near the shore, the boat driver told us, just to be safe. So we went to the other side of the lake, and there I found black sand. Black sand is probably a by product of the Volcano eruption. Black Sand was mined here in our beloved Province due to its magnetic property and some other uses, but because mining black sand destroys our natural resources, the government prohibited it. Thank God for the political will of our present government.

If I did not conquer my fear, I was not able to explore this beautiful place, which they call " A Hidden Paradise of the Lost Village" where the Nature showed its rage to humanity ( speaking of the Mt. Pinatubo Eruption). Here I was reminded to love and respect Nature for Nature has its revenge when it is abused. I've learned a new philosophy in life and that is; "Loving Nature is loving humanity."

I hope you enjoyed our Travel, thanks for your time...

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