Punta Isla Lake Resort: Where I Discovered The Real Secret To Success

What’s the price of success? Can success be called “success” if it costs you everything else? I always believed the cost of success was hard work, long hours, and relentless self-sacrifice. But one day, staring at my laptop surrounded by deadlines, I realized I was wrong. And for some bizarre reason, success felt like selling my soul to the Devil. Desperate to escape the madness, I quickly picked up my phone, scrolling aimlessly for a little inspiration. That’s when I discovered a place that seemed like the antidote to the chaos inside my head: Punta Isla Lake Resort, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato.

And Lake Sebu had been on my radar and travel wishlist forever.

With its gorgeous scenery and unique culture, I’d imagined it countless times in moments of stress.

In that instant, I decided to search for flights to Mindanao to kick-start my journey to Lake Sebu and Punta Isla Resort.

Weeks later, I found myself admiring the postcard-perfect scenery of Lake Sebu from Punta Isla Lake Resort.

Was it worth the long trip?

Did I find the answers I was seeking?

Well, let’s just say Lake Sebu helped me redefine how I see success.

My Punta Isla Lake Resort experience 

Cebu City: The day after my Lake Sebu adventure

Going home is probably the least favorite part of any trip, getaway, or vacation.

People often say “back to reality” every time they arrive in their home city after a trip.

It’s as if all the beautiful moments from their trip were erased the moment they stepped off the plane.

This time, it felt different to me.

It was comforting.

It felt like what it really was: going home.

Here’s the thing.

Travel doesn’t fix everything, and it’s not some all-in-one solution to life’s problems.

But somehow, my trip to Punta Isla Resort gave me clarity at a time when my mind was in chaos.

06:00 AM: Lake Sebu welcome sign

I made it.

Years ago, Lake Sebu was a pipe dream and an unattainable goal.

With low self-esteem and financial limitations, I never thought it’d be possible to set foot in this municipality in Mindanao.

After snapping photos of the Lake Sebu welcome sign, we hopped on the van, and made our way to the first stop of our day trip: Punta Isla Lake Resort.

Was it worth it?

Is it as beautiful as Lake Holon?

Even though it was still early, I already knew the journey to Lake Sebu was absolutely worth it.

Suddenly, a couple of questions came to mind as we drove to Punta Isla.

If I quit my job tomorrow, would I lose my identity? 

What will people remember about me when I kick the bucket?

By society’s standards, I was successful.

I had the means to do the things I wanted and buy anything I wanted.

Yet, deep inside, there was a hole in my soul that was growing larger by the day.

Slowly but surely, I was becoming the kind of person that I used to hate.

In recent months, I turned into a workaholic running tirelessly on a treadmill, chasing a finish line that doesn’t exist.

I was sprinting, hustling, grinding, and convincing myself that my work was the center of my universe.

And I poured so much time and energy into my job that I thought it was my life.

Then, somewhere along the way, I found out that I lost sight of what mattered most.

“I sold my soul to the Devil,” I said those words to myself whenever I felt like I wasn’t living.

My job felt like my identity, my purpose, the reason I existed.

This isn’t life.

This isn’t even survival on autopilot mode.

I call this madness.

06:24 AM: Entrance of Punta Isla Lake Resort

Moments later, we arrived at the entrance of Punta Isla Lake Resort.

Excited, everyone quickly jumped out of the van to snap photos of the resort’s graffiti.

Everyone was having a blast, taking their turns in front of their cameras.

I, meanwhile, was in no rush and was taking in the fresh fresh scent and crisp cool morning air.

Then, I was becoming more of a human again.

I was turning into the person I was meant to be.

And for the first time in a long while, I wasn’t thinking of my meetings, emails, and endless to-do lists.

Later on, I took photos of my friend and moody niece with the graffiti in the background.

While we were busy with the photos, the rest of the group went on with their ways, enjoying the Punta Isla Lake Resort activities.

I didn’t read the Punta Isla Lake Resort reviews, so I didn’t know what activities were available within the facility. 

Still, I was willing and ready to try anything and everything that day.

We ultimately entered the resort and were amazed by the stunning view of the lake.

And it looked calm and peaceful. 

The stillness of the water, fresh air, surrounding scenery, and sounds of nature melted all my stress and worries away.

There were many photo-op spots at Punta Isla Lake Resort, but I just wanted to stay there, reflect, and enjoy the view.

Pause.

Stand still.

The world is too beautiful to be rushed.

As I admired the view, I could hear a calming voice whispering inside my head.

It was my inner monologue, sharing some insights and words of wisdom.

“The world won’t stop if I take a breather. 

That message from my boss can wait. 

That meeting isn’t life-or-death.

And that delayed task wouldn’t hurt millions of people.”

Just looking at the lake and listening to my inner monologue, I realized that I should also redefine success. 

The thing is, success shouldn’t be about how much you do or how fast you climb the corporate ladder.

It’s about living a life you won’t regret when you’re old and gray.

06: 41 AM: Exploring Punta Isla Resort

I began to feel alive again.

We wandered around aimlessly, letting our curiosity take the lead.

With every step and photo I took, it felt like I was peeling away my layers of stress.

The photo-op features of Punta Isla Lake Resort were superb, but it was the serenity and view of the lake that amazed me.

The lake’s tranquil waters framed by verdant landscapes soothed my weary mind and soul.

I just couldn’t stop admiring the soul-satisfying view of the lake because it reminded me of a time when everything seemed so simple yet beautiful.

I kept staring at the lake as the morning sunlight danced across its surface.

There were no meetings to rush to and no tasks demanding my attention. 

Just us, the lake, and a peaceful stillness I hadn’t felt in weeks.

This is the real me.

What happened to me?

Where was the rebel and misfit in me who threw F-bombs at the society?

Then, something hit me.

I should spend more time doing this.

Although I travel a lot lately, I still need more peaceful moments like this because it made me realize my true identity.

The truth is, your job might seem like everything, but it’s not. 

It’s just a role you play and not the person you are.

Your job is replaceable. 

Someone else can fill your seat, write your reports, and do everything you do.

Heck, they can even do those things better than you.

But your life? 

That’s something unique and irreplaceable. 

No one else can live it for you.

Not even the most sophisticated AI or the most skilled Virtual Assistant can do it for you.

06:59 AM: The Lotuses 

From the selfie spot, we descended into the lake to see its lotuses and shimmering waters. 

The lake, honestly, felt kind of touristy.

Still, I was enjoying every second of this weekend trip.

We wandered around the area and took photographs of the boats and lotuses.

It was one of those better days.

It had all the ingredients of a perfect, weekend trip.

And in recent years, I haven’t had a lot of those days.

Even so, I always appreciate every day, no matter how rough and complicated they are.

Here’s the thing. 

Each day has a purpose in every man’s life.

Bad days give you knowledge and experience.

The worst days give you strength and lessons.

Good days bring you joy, and the best days give you memories that last a lifetime.

07:15 AM: The boat ride 

I thought Punta Isla Lake Resort was all about the T’Boli costumes, views, lotuses, and its floating restaurant.

To my surprise, it also has a boat tour that lets visitors see the lake from a different perspective.

So, we hopped aboard the boat, and listened to the lovely guide, as she gave details about the lake and area.

It was educational.

It’s a wonderful experience for someone who craves knowledge and wisdom.

And in some strange and poetic way, it gave me another valuable lesson.

You see.

Lake Sebu isn’t just a lake. 

It is life, sustenance, and culture all rolled into one.

I thought about how I’d spent months trying to prove myself in a world where success was measured by milestones. 

But here, success is simpler. 

It’s providing for your family, preserving your heritage, and living in harmony with nature.

The tour is a reminder that happiness isn’t found in material wealth, milestones, and grand achievements. 

It reminded me that pure happiness can be discovered in quiet moments and simple pleasures.

08:04 AM: Punta Isla Lake Resort activities

Earlier, I saw visitors renting and wearing traditional T’Boli clothing at the shack near the docked boats.

I know I’d look ridiculous in it, but I wouldn’t miss it. 

So, after the boat trip, we headed to the shack and rented the T’Boli costumes.

And the staff was friendly and helpful.

They were also enthusiastic and proud to share information about their culture.

They weren’t just working to pay the bills. 

They were living their heritage, sharing it with joy. 

Their excitement was infectious, and their knowledge of T’Boli traditions made the experience more meaningful.

The staff at Punta Isla Lake Resort didn’t see their work as just a job. 

It was a way of honoring their culture, connecting with people, and making a difference in their own way. 

Their sense of purpose shone through in the way they entertained their guests.

And it brought me back to my own life.

Don’t get me wrong. 

Jobs are very important. 

They give us security and opportunities. 

But the problem starts when we mistake our jobs for our identity and purpose. 

And purpose isn’t something you clock in and out of. 

Purpose isn’t measured by online timers.

It’s found in the connections you make, the adventures you embrace, and the quiet moments you spend with yourself.

09:01 AM: Leaving Punta Isla Lake Resort

As we were about to leave, I realized it wasn’t the company’s fault that I had a burnout.

The only person to blame was me.

I pushed myself, worked extra hours, and said yes to tasks that would make me work harder.

I should learn to set boundaries.

That doesn’t mean I should slack off or watch movies while working.

That means logging off early before midnight and saying no whenever I feel tired.

And that means not pushing myself.

But there was a reason I had to do it.

I worked so hard not just because of passion and ambition.

I poured so much energy and time into work because I felt empty and lonely.

Loneliness and life’s miseries made me a workaholic. 

I wanted to keep myself so busy that I wouldn’t have the time to reflect and think of my problems.

Work became my escape and distraction.

When I was surrounded by deadlines and tasks, I didn’t have to face the void inside me. 

And somehow, it gave me something I couldn’t find elsewhere: identity. 

Every time I accomplished something special, it felt like I mattered, at least for a moment.

But I knew it wasn’t real. 

The sense of worth I got from it was fleeting. 

No matter how many hours I poured in or how much I achieved, the loneliness always crept back in when the workday was done.

Work gave me something to hold onto, a reason to wake up daily even if that reason was hollow.

I thought I was building a life, but in reality, I was just keeping myself from falling apart.

And yet, the void remained. 

It wasn’t until I ventured into the remote places in Mindanao that I began to see it for what it was. 

That’s when I realized that no amount of hard work could ever replace what I needed: connection, fulfillment, and a life lived fully.

Going home

As I pushed the doorbell at the front gate of my house, I felt lighter, like I had restored a previous and better version of myself.

Punta Isla Lake Resort gave me clarity that was missing in recent months.

It taught me that success isn’t about paychecks and titles.

Success is not about hustle or crossing off milestones on society’s checklist.

Success, by my definition and interpretation, is having enough.

It’s about having enough to survive, indulge in little joys, and live a life you won’t regret.

It’s about having enough time for your passion, hobbies, and more importantly, family, friends, and loved ones.

Success, I realized, isn’t about how high you climb on the corporate ladder. 

It’s about how deeply you live.

I was once successful and had all these things in life.

I had a happy family, a supportive circle of friends, and enough money and time to pursue my passion.

However, I lost track and felt empty because of a series of unfortunate events.

Then, I started following the standards of success defined by our society.

I’m now back on track because my recent trips made me realize what really matters.

It will not happen overnight, but I know I’ll get there eventually.

Moments later, the door opened, and I said to myself, “Finally, I’m home.”

How much is the Punta Isla Lake Resort entrance fee?

The entrance fee to Punta Isla Lake Resort is ₱50 per adult and ₱30 per child. However, take note that there’s a separate fee for the boat, tour, costume rental, and bangka ride.

How to get to Punta Isla Lake Resort?

The best and most convenient way to get to Punta Isla is to join an organized tour. It’s easy, convenient, and pretty affordable. If you’re traveling from Davao, I recommend Footprints Travel Services.