Lake Pinamaloy: Lessons from the Water Lilies

Location:  Don Carlos, Bukidnon

Access Point: Sayre Highway, Don Carlos, Bukidnon

Mode of Transportation: Public Utility Vehicles (Bus, Multicab/L300) to Don Carlos, Bukidnon.

*If you are from Musuan or Valencia City , the fare ranges from Php 25.00-35.00.

Arrangement: No entrance fees.

Activity/Attractions: Strolling/Walking/Jogging/Camping

 

It wasn’t my first time to visit this place. In fact, I visited the lake when I was still in high school though I’m not yet a full-time nature lover at that time. The lake is said to be guitar-shaped.

Photo credit: PH Locator

Photo Credit: greedypeg.net

Compelled to have an ecotherapy session, I decided to visit this place and asked my friend Sam to accompany me.

The entrance to the lake is still being constructed although there are other ways to access the lake from different directions.

It was one summer afternoon when I went here and I can only hear the crisp snap of dry leaves under my shoes.

People sitting by in their mats, friends having their picnic or family strolling around either by motorcycle or just walking are the common scenes you can usually find here. I have friends who camp here over night though I haven’t experienced that one.

The lake.

Very apparent in the lake is the presence of water lilies. In fact, they occupy about two-fifths of the lake. That’s from a nurse’s estimation point of view, and it may not be accurate like those with engineers. I was told that there’s too much water lilies now. They need to be taken out in order to balance the ecosystem in the lake. I don’t know much about this one though as I’m not into Biology or Ecology but I love the fact that lilies are occupying the lake to remind me and us of their purpose.

“And why take me thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” Matthew 6: 28, 29

Reflections:

• The lessons taught to us through the lilies are captured beautifully in this statement.

“If the lilies of the filed are objects upon which the great Master Artist has bestowed care, making them so beautiful that they outrival the glory of Solomon, the greatest king that ever wielded a scepter; if the grass of the field is made into a beautiful carpet for the earth, can we form any idea of the regard which God bestows upon man, who was formed in His image?- 5BC 1086.7

Now that is powerful! The lilies are indeed beautiful. If this is so and if God can make the nature beautiful, then how much more our lives? The worries of this world and its cares have stressed us a lot but God told us to consider the lilies and learn from them. What reassuring thoughts!

• “Every flower is an expression of the love of God.”

God didn’t just make us to survive, pay our bills, work hard and strive hard in order to live in this cruel world. He made us to enjoy too His wonderful creation. He is the one who nourishes every root of the plants. Should this give us peace that He is much more concerned with the details in our lives more than the flowers and plants? Will He regard us (for whom He sent His son to die) more than these flowers? Certainly Yes!  And this should always remind us of His love every time we see flowers. God offers something more than any earthly lover could offer.

I continued my lake stroll to finish my one round and found out that it will take you more or less an hour to walk around the lake.

The lake is also the main source of water district for their water supply. I saw one truck here filled with water from the lake. My friend told me this is used to water plants in a plantation.

When I was done with my one round, I didn’t linger any longer and went home as it was starting to get dark. It was one of those lily-filled, lesson-filled and “moneyless” ecotherapy sessions with God through His great classroom- the nature.