Lake Caliraya

Lake Caliraya was created in 1937 by US Army Engineer Major General Hugh J. Casey 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 Invading Japanese who rebuilt it, then themselves sabotaged it as their own defeat approached. The Americans placed the Largemouth Bass in the lake. Through the years, the lake remains the most popular bass fishing spot in the country. It was 'discovered' in the early 70's by Manila tourists who then popularized the lake to Manila's elite and expatriate community. Property value increased dramatically, more so when the main road was upgraded to concrete and the hydroelectric plant refurbished. Caliraya became a high class neighborhood of vacation homes on the lake, similar to those in western countries, for the rich and famous. An example is the De Padua vacation home, built in 1974. That was until the 1980s, when Lake Caliraya's surroundings were occupied by the New People's Army, affecting tourism and development. Nevertheless, since 1985 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.