Experience Bangkero Festival in Pagsanjan, Laguna

The Bangkero Festival in Pagsanjan is celbrated in 1st week of March. The name "bankero" (boatman) is derived from the  tourist guide who sail the "bangka" going to Pagsanjan Falls and "shooting the rapids" on its way downstream.


Many activities held in Pagsanjan Festival that  inlcudes boat race, land and on fluvial parades, traditional street dancing, cookfest, concert, sport events, annual search for "Ginoong Bangkero" and "Lakan at Binibining Pagsanjan. 


The celebration is a tribute to "Bankeros" who are famous in shooting the rapids and for the Patron of "Our Lady of Guadalupe"

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Boat Race

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Sikada Dancers

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Sikada Dancers

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Lakan at Binibining Pagsanjan

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Float

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Boundary of Pagsanjan

by reyCarbonell
Colorful Bankas

Pagsanjan Falls and Shooting the Rapids

The Pagsanjan Falls, a natural tourist attractions near Metro Manila is just 100km away. The falls is located in in Cavinti, Laguna contrary to Pagsanjan town where the boats originates. The place is considered National Park in 1976 covering an area of 152.67 hectares.


From Pagsanjan town going to exact location of the waterfalls, you need to hire "bangkeros" (boatman) to drive the boat against strong current upstream and after arriving at the falls there is a waiting bamboo raft that can be hired to bring you inside the cave behind the falls.


Going back to Pagsanjan town is more exciting because of double the speed of boat together with strong currents along the way popularly known as "shooting the rapids"

Image by _Jem_ via Flickr

The 120m high Pagsanjan Falls

Image via Wikipedia

Inside the cave behind the waterfall

Strong current due in rainy season

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Photo during  Bangkero Festival for contest of "Ginoong Bangkero"

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A large bamboo raft that will take you inside the cave

Image via Wikipedia
"Shooting the Rapids" downstream