Geography of the Philippines Bay. Laguna de Bay, east of Manila Bay, is the largest freshwater lake in the Philippines. Several rivers have been harnessed for hydroelectric power. To protect the country's biological resources, the government has taken a first step of preparing a Biodiversity Action Plan to address conservation of threatened species. The islands are volcanic in origin, being part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, and are mostly mountainous. The highest point in the country is the peak of Mount Apo in Mindanao, which is above sea level. The second highest point can be found on Luzon at Mount Pulag, a peak
Laguna de los Padres the 1995 Pan American Games and 2006 South American Games. Near the main entrance there is a reconstruction of the ancient Jesuit mission of "Nuestra Señora del Pilar", founded in 1746 and abandoned five years later under pressure from the Leuvuches, a nomadic Tehuelche tribe led by chieftain Cangapol. The lake was known as "Laguna de las Cabrillas" (lake of the goats) in the Spanish maps of that time. Close to the shore there is an old farmhouse, now a museum, where writer José Hernández, author of the gaucho's national poem "Martin Fierro" lived briefly during his childhood. Laguna de