A couple of weeks ago, I published a post about the world’s smallest commercialized fish, sinarapan (a.k.a. tabios). This gave me the reason to make a sort of sequel to that by sharing the pictures I took from the place where sinarapan are harvested: the placid lake of Buhi in Camarines Sur.
According to the locals, there are two theories on how Lake Buhi was formed. The first is when the side of Mount Iriga collapsed due to an earthquake way back 1641. A landslide ensued creating a natural dam which is Lake Buhi.
The second theory is that the eruption of Mt. Asog resulted to the beautiful Lake Buhi giving home to the world’s smallest commercially-harvested fish called sinarapan (SN: Mistichthys luzonensis).
Lake Buhi is also a home to different bird species as it is surrounded by forests. There are no less than 25 bird species that live in the place like Black-naped Monarch, Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker, White-eared Brown Dove, Elegant Tit, and the Philippine Hanging Parrot. The other fauna that can be found in the forests are flying lizards (Draco sp.), skinks, monitor lizards (Varanus marmoratus), civet cats, bats and The Philippine Cynomolgus Monkey (SN: Macaca fasicularis).
If there’s one thing I couldn’t forget about the place, it would be its halcyon environs that can instantly calm one’s spirit. The serene waters unfolded my soul to some kind of magic.
While logic tells that the lake is just a body of fresh water of considerable size, surrounded by land, it seems to be so much more. I also see it as one of Mother Nature‘s ways to convince the inhabitants of the earth to become green warriors.
On the other hand, what I recently read about the lake made me feel devastated: “The result of the latest research 0n Lake Buhi that was conducted by the scientists of Camarines Sur State Agricultural College (now Central Bicol State University of Agriculture) last 01 August 2010 was alarming. Lake Buhi is now in the stage of eutrophication. Eutrophication is an increase in chemical nitrogen or phosphorus compounds in an ecosystem, often resulting in excessive plant growth and decay, in turn leading to lack of oxygen and severe reduction in water quality, fish, and other animal populations.”
I hope the lake will be saved though from further chaos because it is the main source of livelihood of people in Buhi.
For more information (how to get to the place, tips, what to do, etc.) about the enchanting Lake Buhi, please click this site: www.tripsiders.com.
Related Articles
- Remembering Tabang Asog Project in Iriga City (kalongkong.wordpress.com)
- Sinarapan, The World’s Smallest Commercial Extant Fish (yobynos.wordpress.com)
- Only in the Philippines: 10 things that are distinctly Pinoy (doniciasthoughts.wordpress.com)
- Cam. Sur Tour: Naga City, Caramoan & Mayon (2urquide.wordpress.com)
- Iriga City, 6 Camarines Sur towns without power for a week (newsinfo.inquirer.net)
STORIES OF THE WANDERING FEET & MIND 
I like the effect of the green to the blue background, on all the pictures (but i don’t like the effect of what seems to be water hyacinth).
With all the debates on whether to continue subsidizing MRT or not, this deserves taxpayers’ money too.
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Definitely, Jon. It’s been a year since we received a bonus. I wonder where did all the money go … H’m. You’re working in a government agency too and you sure know the kind of crisis we now have. And yeah, this lake deserves part of the money too.
Salamat, Jon, for sounding political there and for the honesty!
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Bro, this is one peaceful, stunning lake. I didn’t even know there’s a lake Buhi. I always know that we have a lot of beautiful lakes, Other than Taal Lake , I haven’t been around. Thanks for the amazing photos. Out of curiosity, who’s the guy with the pink umbrella?
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One of the locals. I didn’t get his name though. The pink umbrella was precisely the reason why I photographed him. The guy has a very masculine face with all those mustache and beard and he carried that payong so well. Maybe he changed that popular graffiti on t-shirts which goes, “Tough guys wear pink”, into “Tough guys, use pink umbrella.” Haha …
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Stunning! I love all the images above. The combination of green and blue is beautiful.
As for that man with pink/purple ambrella – “Tough guys, use pink umbrella.” (I agree)
Sad to hear though that despite the beauty of these images lie a lake that is in the stage of eutrophication. Reminds me of Bryan Adams’ Vanishing (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSbrNVRR-As&feature=player_embedded)
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aRvs, thanks! The combination of green and blue is indeed beautiful pero hindi sa damit. Tama ba? Hehe …
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haha, parang tama nga… parang di yata bagay… haha
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I know, right? hehe …
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🙂
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stunning!! that’s all I can say..I’ve been hearing this lake even when I’m in Bicol and so with the small fishes with it..It’s sad to know that it is suffering from that kind of chaos.I think the cause is also natural but still I hope it would be addressed soon..I love the photos looks so Idyllic.
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Yeah, bro, it’s pretty idyllic. I’m sure it reminds you of home. Thanks for dropping by!
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“Green Warrior” sounds pretty awesome! And “yes” those pristine photos are definitely worth fighting for. I’m just glad that you are taking time to point out some of these environmental problems before it’s too late. Unfortunately, we have similar problems where I live. There has been an effort to restore our beautiful Everglades, which is home to numerous species of animals. The intrusion of urban areas has had a substantial impact on the wildlife. The water quality is extremely polluted as a result of agriculture fertilizers. Also, the fish has been contaminated with mercury. At one point, scientists found mercury levels high enough to kill a human in a dead panther (fortunately, I’m vegan). Anyway, there is a lot more that I could go on about, but I would be here for the next century!! I just hope that we think about the ramifications of our actions before we destroy what is left. I know that I do make every effort to educate myself, so that I can be a better steward of this precious planet. I’m going to check out your links Sony. Thanks for being a “green warrior.” You are very fierce indeed. 🙂
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It’s the least we could do at this point. Nonetheless, microscopic as it may seem I will not stop at what I started to continue giving light to that hope.
Yesterday, I have stumbled upon this article which says that individual action doesn’t work and actually goes nowhere if it’s not supported by the national and international government. I was of course saddened to learn the point of this article titled, Going green, Now what? (wp.me/pNMjG-yH) nonetheless it’s not enough to discourage me from doing my part as, like you said, a steward of this beautiful planet. I believe that our actions toward this cause CAN create a ripple effect.
I appreciate the support, Donna, and let’s push on this endeavor.
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I agree Sony. Unfortunately, problems are so widespread that we need to utilize “all resources” in order to fix them, so to speak. Also, I’m just curious as to how significant “green energy” is over there? We are in the process of switching over to cleaner energies where I live. They just got rid of the ancient coal power plants. They were so disgusting! Everyone who lived near the power plants had black soot covering their cars. Plus, breathing it wasn’t exactly a day at the park! We now have some pretty sweet solar energy plants and natural gas plants. Although there is much controversy over natural gas due to how they extract it. They call it “fracking.” You are probably already familiar with it. Also, try and check out the movie “Gasland.” It’s an excellent documentary (not boring at all). If you haven’t yet seen drinking water that catches fire then this is a “must see.” By the way, Amazon has it. Stay blessed Sony. 🙂
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Thanks for the informative comment, Donna. Honestly, I’m not familiar with fracking but I’ll sure research on that. Thanks for continuously educating me. It helps a lot as I need to educate myself too. Being informed of the issues surrounding the “green” battle is a requirement for us. You are fierce yourself too, Donna. Two heads are better than one. I know …
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Gasland seems interesting. I’ll take that on my list.
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Breathtaking pictures! I loved the second photo that shows the three fishermen. Lake Buhi is indeed enchanting. Like what you’ve said, it’s worth protecting and conserving. I just hope that people would start to act before it’s too late. It’s very important to preserve this legendary lake as it is home to the world’s smallest fish.
Thanks so much for sharing your trip around Camarines Sur Sony. I hope I could explore the Bicol region too someday 🙂
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I agree. In fact, the time I posted it on facebook, I made that photo as the album cover. I really really hope the government of Camarines Sur (CamSur) will magnify the efforts of restoring the abundance of the lake.
Based on what I read recently, the government of CamSur have already made efforts to translocate the sinarapan to other lakes because of Lake Buhi’s current condition. Hence, translocation is what the government of CamSur does in the hope to save this edible fish. In 2001, Lakes Makuwaw and Katugday have been successfully translocated with sinarapan through the research projects in Bicol University in close partnership with the Buhi local government unit and the San Ramon Barangay Council with fund support from PCAMRD and the Ford Motors Company, Philippines. Two other mountain lakes in San Ramon, Buhi, Camarines Sur (Kimat and Paeron) are candidate target sites for sinarapan translocation.
Thanks for sharing a piece of your beautiful mind here, Lovely! I appreciate that more so because I know how busy you are now.
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Beautiful pictures. Love the place. I like the blue in the pictures. Cool, really. 🙂
This place reminds me of Dal lake (Kashmir, India). I’ve shared a little about that place in my blog, though I don’t have much self-clicked pictures as I was just 6 years old when I visited there.
Thanks for sharing.
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You are so welcome, nandini. I’ll be “hunting” for that Dal Lake in your blog … Thank you very much for the effort to do a sort navigation on my blog.
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🙂
And I will be looking out for you in your hunt. Do leave some footprints. 🙂
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I did find the Lake, nandini. Yatta! I left a comment there and I definitely like the breathtaking pictures.
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Love how you blogged it. Beautiful photos, interesting history, great lesson reaching awareness for your readers. Saludo.
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Salamat!
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THANKS SONY FUGUBAN FOR FEATURING MY ONE AND ONLY HOME TOWN BUHI WHERE THE BEAUTIFUL GOD GIVEN BEAUTY OF SERENADING LAKE BUHI ARE FOUND.BY THE WAY “SINARAPAN” ARE STILL AVAILABLE IN THE GOVERNMENT SANCTUARY AS PRESERVE LAKELETS IN KATUGDAY AND ,LAKE MANAPAO.I HOPE YOU WILL CONQUER THE DIFFERENT WATER FALLS IN OUR NEIGHBORING MOUNTAIN BARRIOS LIKE THE TWIN ITBOG FALLS IN STA. CRUZ,,BAYBAY FALLS,IN IPIL,IBAYUGAN FALLS AND WATER FALLS FROM DIVINO ROSTRO A MOUNTAINEOUS BARRIO IN THE EAST OF BUHI.THERE ARE ALSO EMERGING SPRING RESORTS LIKE BALLERITE RESORT IN IGBAC,PUNGOL SPRINGS IN ANTIPOLO,LOLOGON SPRING RESORTTS IN MONTE CALVARIO,SINAGPAN RESORT IN STA, JUSTINA AND LA PRESKO RESORT IN ANTIPOLO.
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Hi, I am Jewel Rose Beriso, a tour operator and a member of Bicol Association of Travel Agencies and Tour Operators (BATTO) and pioneer secretary of Caramoan Tour Guide Association (CARTOGUAS) and a native of Caramoan. I arrange all kinds of tours and give you the rate from the most expensive to the most conservative. I also send guest to travel agencies and tour operators that you may want to work for your needed tour. If you are interested, you may contact me @ 09106534561 / 09155870668 / +639334312338 or email me at jraberiso@yahoo.com. My American husband who traveled around the world and with his worldly experience wants the best tour and I’ll give it to you.
Visit as @ https://www.facebook.com/isurvivedcaramoantours and like our page…thank you.
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I am currently in Saudi Arabia but will be going on vacation in April next year. Consider the offer taken into consideration by then.
Thank you very much for the tempting offer, Ms. Jewel.
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Hi Mr Sonny, thank you for your response. I’ll look forward in working with you. You may contact me @ +639155870668, +639106534561, +639334312338 or you may email me @ icaramoan@yahoo.com.
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Thanks, really, for this, Ms. Jewel. Revisiting Caramoan is going to be another experience of a lifetime.
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These are very nice photos. I will be in Camarines Sur on February for a Rotaract convention. I hope to see the beauty as I saw in your photos. 😀
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And don’t forget to share it via WordPress.
It was a gloomy afternoon when I got to the place–which made place look more serene and dramatic I must say.
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punta ako dito paguwi ko ^_^
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Please do, Karla. Iba ang ganda ng Lake Buhi “in flesh”. Thank you for dropping by!
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