Of Lake Caliraya, Golf, and Gold
By Marie. December 12, 2025
Breakfast With a View
When my niece Carmena, Carmz for short, came for a quick visit, my best friend Beni asked the classic morning question: “Where do you ladies want to have breakfast?” In Sta. Cruz, Laguna, the default answers are easy—McDonald’s or Jollibee. But then he teased, “Or… a place with a view?”
We didn’t hesitate. “A place with a view!”
That’s how we found ourselves driving up to Caliraya Lakepod, a food and drinks club tucked in Lewin, Lumban. The moment we stepped inside, the wide-open vista of Laguna Lake unfolded before us—Santa Cruz, Pagsanjan, and Lumban shimmering in the distance.
The menu was simple (tapsilog, coffee, hot chocolate), but honestly, the food was just background. The real star was the view. My niece couldn’t stop snapping photos, knowing this might be her only chance to capture Caliraya’s beauty.
Road to Lake Caliraya
After breakfast, we headed toward Lake Caliraya itself. Along the way, Beni became our unofficial tour guide, sharing the fascinating backstory:
- Lake Caliraya is man-made, created in 1939 when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built the Caliraya Dam.
- The dammed Caliraya River formed a reservoir to power Southern Luzon.
- Over time, the lake transformed into a hub for water sports, fishing, and leisure, with resorts and vacation homes dotting its shores.
Fun fact: Beni believes the name “Caliraya” was simply chosen by American engineers—no deep meaning, just a label that stuck.
The Hamptons Caliraya
Our next stop was the Hamptons Caliraya Golf Course. Inspired by New York’s Hamptons, this 300-hectare Megaworld development is all about upscale leisure. Think: American country living, exclusive residential villages, and a clubhouse overlooking the lake.
I’ve never been to New York’s Hamptons, but the vibe reminded me of the Iloilo Golf and Country Club—a prestigious members-only course in Santa Barbara, Iloilo, affiliated with Scotland’s legendary Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews.
A Royal Mystery
Inside the clubhouse, one detail caught our attention: framed photos of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko during their 2016 state visit to the Philippines. Why Caliraya?
Theories abound. Some say it was to honor World War II sites in the area. Others whisper about Japanese wartime gold hidden nearby. Beni, of course, had plenty of stories to share. Whether fact or folklore, it added a layer of intrigue to our trip.
Final Thoughts
Our Caliraya adventure was short but unforgettable. From breakfast with a view to golf-course grandeur, and even whispers of wartime treasure, the journey blended history, leisure, and mystery.
If you’re in Laguna, skip the fast food for a morning at Lakepod, then let the road lead you to Caliraya. Who knows—you might just uncover a story worth telling.