Experiencing Pagsanjan Falls

1. Experiencing Pagsanjan Falls www.azooki.com

2. Introduction Pagsanjan Falls is located in Laguna. This province in the Philippines is just an hour travel from the City of Manila. Laguna became so famous for its nature attractions and so much to offer activities since it is only an hour travel from the city. The province is impressive with its nature’s wonders, greeneries and nature involvement projects concerning to uplifting and advocating on nature conservation. Located southeast of Metro Manila, Laguna is also a perfect road trip destination because it hosts numerous man-made and natural attractions. There are several attractions in Laguna which is a must to visit. From pre- Hispanic churches, gorgeous land and water activities up to mountain treks and cultural and heritage site visits. One wouldn’t feel so alone for their dream destination in the Philippines. Top it up with the most welcoming smiles of locals and simply enjoying the beauty of the places they offer. Pagsanjan is a small town in Laguna in which locals are getting their resources for living through paddy fields and river fishing. They also have other mode of living which work focuses on manpower and livelihood. If you want to get closer to nature, head straight to famous Pagsanjan Falls. Pagsanjan Falls where known by most but actually called Cavinti Falls. Cavinti Falls because it is located in Cavinti, Laguna and not in Pagsanjan. The river rafting where you usually start your adventure is located in Pagsanjan, it just happened that through word of mouth and by means of tourists who come by insisted that it’s in Pagsanjan simply because of the starting point of the trip. It wasn’t change up to date and everyone believed it’s the real name of the falls.

3. History of Pagsanjan Falls Like a graceful swan, Pagsanjan perches on the riparian delta formed by the confluence of two cool rivers called Balanac and Bumbungan. Originally named Pinagsangahan, meaning "branching" or "juncture", the town was given a Hispanic name by early Spanish colonizers, Pagsanjan, because they found it extremely difficult to pronounce its polysyllabic name. The town is bordered on the east by the green Balubad Mountain, a tiny spur of the Sierra Mountain range; on the west by the town of Santa Cruz (Laguna's provincial capital); on the north by the legendary San Isidro Hill and Laguna de Bay; on the northeast by the town of Lumban (famous for embroideries) and the other towns of Baybay, including Paete (famed for wood-carving) and Pakil (celebrated for the turumba, traditional folk dance and song in honor of the Virgin Dolores); on the southeast by the mountainous towns of Cavinti and Luisiana; and on the south and southwest by the somnolent Mount Banahaw and the upland towns of Magdalena, Majayjay, Liliw, and Nagcarlan. Pagsanjan, one of the small towns of Laguna Province, has a total area of only 43.7 square kilometres. As a municipality, it consists of the poblacion (town proper) and 14 barrios, namely; Anibong, Biñan, Buboy, Cabanbanan, Calasuchi, Dingin, Lambac, Layugan, Magdapio, Maulawin, Pinagsanghan, Sabang, Sampalocan and San Isidro. Pagsanjan is a well-watered town. Annually, it receives an abundant rainfall. There are so many natural springs, especially in the barrios, so that the town virtually floats on a sea of subterranean waters. Thus an old saying of Pagsanjeños runs as follows: "Dig in any part of our town, and you'll strike water, not gold. Gold is valuable; but to a thirsty soul, water is more valuable."

4. Favourite Pagsanjan, Laguna The serenity of the river and the eerie silence of the jungle...the next minute, the cool rush of the water and the deafening sways of the trees...then the relaxing ride again...alternating with the water currents. Finally, the sweet falls cascading down and embracing the bottom of the water to welcome your arrival. This is what Pagsanjan Falls Tour gives to every visitors it accommodate. The tourists are unstoppable to flock in this tourist destination and even wanted to go back to experience again the silence and tranquillity of the place. The growing industry of Pagsanjan Falls is never going down and even boosts tourism industry of Laguna. There are no mines of gold, silver, chromite, and other mineral ores in Pagsanjan. The wealth of the town comes from fertile rice lands and coconut plantations; from the rivers which teem with fresh-water fish; from poultry and stock-raising (pigs, carabaos, cows, and goats); from cottage industries (tailoring, woodcarving, and making of coconut charcoal); and from tourism. Two industries for which Pagsanjan was famous during the Spanish and American regimes were the making of jewelleries and the production of nata de piña. The men were expert goldsmiths and they used to make fine jewelleries, such as rings, bracelets, earrings, and other ornaments in gold and silver. The Pagsanjeños in former years acquired nationwide fame for discovering the making of the delicious nata de piña which consists of mild of the sour variety of native pineapple boiled in syrup. The secret of aging the pineapple mild and the timing of boiling it in syrup was a careful guarded know-how, transmitted from grandmother to mother and from mother to daughter throughout the generations.

5. Natural Wonders of Pagsanjan Falls Despite its small size, the town of Pagsanjan is richly dowered by God with natural wonders. The crowning glory of these wonders is the triple gift of nature -- the awe-inspiring valley, the roaring rapids, and the enchanting Pagsanjan Falls. What enhances the scenic beauty of the town is its location at the juncture of the Twin Rivers -- Bumbungan and Balanac. Such location does not only enhance the beauty of the town, but is also economically strategic. For it makes Pagsanjan the crossroads of commerce and travel in the second district of Laguna Province. The fresh waters of the Twin Rivers are still unpolluted by industrial waste products, greenly greeneries on both banks, and teeming with delicious fishes. The flaming sunrise above the coconut palm-fringed summit of Balubad Mountain in the east and the saffron sunset over the western rim of Laguna de Bay titillate the imagination of man, for they are truly a wondrous joy to behold. Beneath the upstream bend of Balanac River is a mysterious cavern called Doña Pascuala Cave. Only the bold and skilled divers can see its dark interior because of the river's ice-cold water and strong currents. According to local legend, it was once inhabited by a beautiful mermaid. Near the entrance of the gorge leading to Pagsanjan Falls, there is a cauldron-shaped bend of the Bumbungan River called Kawa-Kawa (Huge Cauldron). The water there is very deep and, at the bottom, it is so dark that a powerful diver cannot see anything. According to legend, somewhere at the muddy bottom lies a mammoth church bell, which during colonial times, the Pagsanjeños angrily hurled into the deep waters of Kawa-Kawa, because every time it was rung its thunderous peals frightened the pregnant women who consequently suffered miscarriages. Moreover, there are many mineral springs in Pagsanjan, including the Bumbungan Spring, the San Sebastian Spring, the San Isidro Spring, and the Anibong Spring. These springs are of therapeutic value. It is also the source of the ever-flowing lukewarm water of the swimming pools of the Pagsanjan Falls Lodge and Resort.

6. Other Pagsanjan Attractions In the heart of town is the well-groomed, rectangular plaza, originally named Plaza de Reina Regente Maria Cristina in honour of Queen Regent Maria Cristina who ruled Spain from 1855 to 1902 during the minority of King Alfonso XIII, her son. It was also constructed by Pagsanjeño polistas under the supervision of the friar cura. Both this plaza and the town gate were belatedly inaugurated amidst festive ceremonies on July 23, 1894, with Dr. Pedro A. Paterno, distinguished Filipino statesman-patriot, as guest of honour and speaker. In bygone years a towering sharp pointed obelisk called Agujo de Cleopatra (Needle of Cleopatra) stood at the centre of the plaza. Each of the four sides of this obelisk contained a marble slab. On the first slab was inscribed: "A Ministro Segismundo Moret, Creador de las Juntas de Reformas Ultrarinas -- 1869"; on the second slab: "A Don Antonio Maura, Autor del Real Decreto de 19 de Mayo 1893"; on the third slab: "A Don Ramon Blanco, Gobernador y Capitan General de las Islas Filipinas"; and on the fourth slab: "A Don Angel Aviles, Director General de la Administracion Civil." The splendid obelisk was dedicated to Queen Regent Maria Cristina. Also worth reminiscing is the fact that the restoration of the beautiful Catholic Church was due largely to the Manila Pagsanjeños, whose love for their native town and Our Lady of Guadalupe never fades. Within this church now reign in an aura of glory two images of Our Lady of Guadalupe -- one of which was carved by Maximo Vicente, prominent Manila sculptor, and the other one which came from Mexico.

7. For Additional Reading Azooki’s Pagsanjan Falls Tour: http://www.azooki.com/majestic-pagsanjan- tour.html 