Lakewood indeed sounds like a strange name for a Philippine town, but it is a municipality in the province of Zamboanga Del Sur that gets its name from the wide, scenic Lake Wood, which itself has its own story, that intersects the length of the town.  The natural charm of Lake Wood has slowly become known and has been drawing curious visitors from the country and beyond.

The lake got its name when Gen. Leonard Wood, the governor of the Moro Province in 1904, ordered Capt. Cornelius Smith to explore the inner territories of Mindanao starting from Iligan to Misamis.  They stumbled upon the lake, which the natives called “Danao.” Capt. Smith renamed it “Lake Leonard Wood,” which eventually became “Lakewood.”

The lake itself is scenic and tranquil, bounded by forested hills and mountains on the horizon.  the lake and its edges are teeming with life, and its two famous fish, the carpa and the porang, can be found only in the lake and are widely enjoyed delicacies in the region.  


For the more adventurous, kayaks are available should one really wish to be intimate with the lake.  Rowing amidst its tranquil surface is said to be a truly relaxing and memorable experience.

From the town of Pagadian, Lakewood is accessible by vans and take an hour or so of travel.