“Buhi” in my local dialect means life; the verb
“nakabuhi” means (someone) was able to survive or “nakatakas”.
I was wondering if Buhi town in Camarines Sur has the
same word origin. When I asked a local during my visit in this picturesque lake
town, he told me an interesting story about Buhi that validated my hunch. He
said that a long, long time ago, there were no inhabitants in Buhi. But when
Mayon Volcano erupted and killing thousands of people, survivors from Albay were
forced to flee, and some have reached this town. These survivors or “nakabuhi” were
the original settlers of the town that was later on named Buhi.
Buhi is known in Bicol for Lake Buhi, home of the smallest edible fish in the world – the Mistichthys luzonensis, known locally as "sinarapan". These tiny fishes measure approximately 6 to 8 millimeters, and would usually take a thousand to fill a tablespoon. The lake, which is comparable to Tagaytay and Batangas’ Taal Lake, has also been a favorite weekend and holiday destination among the Bicolanos.
Though there are a few resorts that have sprouted through the years to cater to tourists, one always stands out – the Lake Buhi Resort.
Situated at the foot of Mt. Asog (also known as Mt. Iriga) along the coastal shores of Lake Buhi, the resort is the perfect place for family and barkada get-away, or even for solitary time. It is owned by the family of a well-loved Buhinon who did well in life – the late Cyrus Gaite Obsuna. He was an entrepreneur who established a successful export business of handcrafted products from puka shells and other indigenous materials in Cebu. He also ventured in real estate and became part-owner of the luxurious Movenpick Cebu. He built the resort in 1994 as a way of giving back to his community, especially in providing employment opportunities to the people. Sadly though, he recently passed away, leaving behind the resort in the hands and care of his eldest son.
I took a habal-habal going to the resort (locals call it door-to-door service), which is 4 kms. away from the poblacion. I was greeted cheerfully by all the staff the moment I arrived. I was the only guest during that time, so I was able to enjoy the two-hectare resort and its amenities all to myself.
The main house or the mansion was grandiosely designed – from the marble centrepiece table, spiral staircase, chandelier to glass walls and wooden furniture.
I was a given a tour of the mansion, got a glimpse of some of the rooms and the penthouse, before settling into mine.
Apart from the mansion, there are two duplex houses, usually rented out for day-use.
My room was spacious and could accommodate three persons. It has a single and double beds, sofa, study area, and a nice bathtub.
Overnight accommodation comes with a complimentary breakfast. But I also requested for a set lunch and dinner, which are served lutong-bahay style.
Resident cats usually make their presence felt every mealtime.
The resort has its own chapel.
And a swimming pool that seem to extend up to the silver, serene waters of the lake. Swimming is not advisable on the lake though as the lake bed is muddy. There used to be a bamboo-made walkway leading to floating kubo cottages but unfortunately, they were all washed away during a strong typhoon two years ago.
A few steps away from the resort is his mini cacao farm, which produces native chocolate or tablea.
Surrounding areas also boast of lush, simple yet stunning provincial life.
I didn’t do any strenuous activity during my entire stay; I just did kain-tulog-swimming-lake-watching. Legend says that Buhi used to be an enchanted town where people forgot to pray as they become wealthy. So God punished them and send them and their town to the bowels of the earth. After the incident, a beautiful lake emerged, replacing the town. Some claim that on serene days, when the lake is placid, one could look deep down at the bottom of the lake, and still see the enchanted people doing their everyday tasks.
Well that myth makes a good bedtime story for children.
But I don’t believe in fantasy anymore. But aliens… that’s another story.
From Manila,
there are direct buses (Philtranco, Isarog, DLTB) going straight to Buhi.
Travel time usually takes 10-11 hours. But since Buhi buses are limited, one
may take the Iriga-bound bus. From Iriga, take a jeepney bound for Buhi. Travel
time usually takes 20 minutes. Another faster option would be to take a plane
from Manila bound for Naga. From Naga, there are vans and buses going to Buhi
and Iriga. In Buhi town proper, take a habal-habal going to the resort.
Lake Buhi Resort
Brgy. Cabatuan, Buhi
Camarines Sur
Tel. No.: 0926-6162131
