PAGSANJAN Falls in Laguna is arguably one of the most iconic images of the Philippines when the tourism industry was still in its infancy in the 1970s.
“Shooting the rapids” on the way to the fabled waterfall also known as Magdapio Falls is among the must-do countryside trips among foreign and local tourists. This adrenaline-pumping activity, which has graced countless posters and postcards, remains in the bucket list of many travelers.
But with its magnetic pull wearing out through the decades, local authorities have found a way bring back its to relive its magic by creating festive activities digging into its historical treasure chest, offering diverse attractions, and tickling the palate of food-loving Pinoys.
The municipal government incepted the Bangkero Festival as a tribute to the boatmen who skillfully maneuver the boat all the way to the picture-perfect falls. The summer-time celebration, hatched by then under Mayor Emilio Ramon Ejercito III, showcases a wide array of cultural, artistic, musical, entertainment, culinary and sporting events to put the spotlight on every aspect of Pagsanjeño way of life.
The festival makes another event-filled edition on December 6 to 12 to celebrate the town’s 350th founding day and the patronal feast of the Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 9.
Merry-making kicks off with the unveiling of the town’s Spanish-era Royal Arch which was declared by The National Museum as a National Cultural Treasure. The arch, one of the few remaining structures of its kind, was built in 1878 when it became Laguna’s provincial capital from 1688 to 1872.
Municipal mayor Maita Javier-Ejercito said the festival is being renamed as Lagaslas Bangkero to put a similar emphasis on its religious and cultural heritage, as well as the town’s journey to progress over the centuries.
Heritage zone
The main road near the arch, also known as Calle Rizal, is a heritage rows of well-preserved ancestral homes of the local gentry in the traditional bahay na bato or stone house architecture. A number of these colonial-era houses have found adaptive reuse as restaurants and shops, while the rest are visited occasionally by their owners.
The most notable of these is the circa-1910 stately Don Telesforo Ejercito mansion, which is considered as a “living museum” because of its splendid state of preservation which has survived the ravages of time.
The town’s pride is the Diocesan Shrine of the Our Lady of Guadalupe whose first parish was founded in 1687. On its Chapel of the Tilma is enshrined the stone where the Virgin Mary is believed to have made an apparition in Guadalupe, Mexico.
Walking around the nooks and crannies in the side streets would reveal interesting historical tidbits even in the nondescript houses.
Pagsanjan River, where the town got its name, is replete with intriguing stories handed down from one generation to the next. Perched on a riparian delta formed by the confluence of Balanac and Bumbungan rivers, it originated from the word pinagsangahan, which means juncture.
Farm tourism
If you want a a taste of countryside life, Villa Socorro Agri-Eco Village and Farm Resort can take you to a unique back-to-basics experience in its 11-hectare banana plantation in the outskirts of the town. Known for producing the popular Sabanana banana chips brand, the farm has opened its doors to overnight guests who want to immerse in farming and agribusiness even for a short period of time.
This quaint lodging, which has the basic amenities, offers forest bathing, a trek to the Balanac River, and an ocular of the chips-making process. It also has recreational facilities for families and friends for a return to the good old bonding moments.
While it may be on a par with the typical resort, it is not short on insights that will rekindle the green thumb in you. Realizing the travel market’s new-found fascination for farm-related activities, Villa Socorro will strengthen its tourism component to emphasize the vital role of agriculture.
Food crawl
Pagsanjan’s Old World charm and its tasty home-grown dishes have made it a dining haven of sort for foodies from all over Laguna. From just a handful of restaurants a decade ago, Calle Real is emerging as a food crawl destination with diverse renditions of all-time Filipino favorites and regional dishes.
Among the town’s notable dining haunts are Calle Arco, Balai Ilocos, Titadel’s Fiesta Cuisine and Terima Kasih, which breathed new life to old houses. Dining in these mid-priced restaurants is like a time travel, with their heirloom recipes, throwback ambiance and assortment of historic paraphernalia adorning the dining areas.
Dining at night is romantic because of the glow of lamp posts and the imposing Royal Arch, which seems to transport you to a Castillan colony.
For snacks or light meals, feast on Emin and Mila’s Canteen, El Panchito’s Fil Mexicano Resto and Aling Taleng’s Halo-Halo, which are all known for reasonably priced short orders. A couple of intimate coffee shops are coming up to cash in on the millennials’ sophisticated lifestyle.
San Isidro Hill
According to Ejercito, soon to open in summer next year is the San Isidro Hill Religious Eco-Tourism Park, which is poised to become Pagsanjan’s newest tourist hotspot with its soothing panorama of Laguna de Bay.
Being developed by the municipal government, the hilltop facility can be reached through a 292-step landscaped staircase and will house a giant statue of the Our Lady of Guadalupe, meditation and recreational grounds, and multi-purpose hall that can double as an evacuation area for calamities. Now almost two-thirds complete, guests can ascend to the top for a kaleidoscopic view of the placid lake at dusk.
With more attractions and activities coming up, the lady mayor believes that people will get to unravel Pagsanjan’s hidden treasures beyond its fabled falls.
Image credits: Bernard L. Supetran