The Caliraya Lake is a man-made lake located at Lumban, Laguna
situated at 1,200 above sea-level. This is certainly one of Laguna’s
summer hotspots where local and foreign tourists visit every year.
Caliraya Lake was created in late 1930s by a US Army Engineer
by flooding the Cavinti valley of the Sierra Madre to generate
hydroelectric power for Manila. It was sabotaged by retreating
Americans to prevent use by Japanese soldiers who rebuilt it,
then themselves sabotaged it as their own defeat approached.
Through the years, the lake remains the most popular bass fishing
spot in the country. It was 'discovered' in the early 1970's by
Manila tourists who then popularized the lake to Manila's elite
and expatriate community.
The
surroundings of this lake increased dramatically, more so when
the main road was upgraded to concrete and the hydroelectric plant
were built. Caliraya became a high class neighborhood of vacation
homes on the lake, similar to those in western countries, for
the rich and famous. That was until the 1980s, when Lake Caliraya's
surroundings were occupied by the New People's Army, affecting
tourism and development.
Nevertheless, since mid-1980s there has been major real estate
development, with the construction of several world class resorts,
golf courses and country clubs. Caliraya to this day is a haven
for the rich and the elite, with activities including large mouth
bass fishing, wind surfing, jet skiing, water skiing, boating
in general, golf, camping, and other sporting and outdoor activities.
Property values remain high, and a new generation of developments,
private and commercial, is on the rise.
