11th PAGSANJAN BANGKERO FESTIVAL – TURISMO MISMO: Ugat ng Pagkakaisa, Kapayapaan at Kaunlaran!

MAYOR JEORGE “E.R.” EJERCITO ESTREGAN
“11th PAGSANJAN BANGKERO FESTIVAL”
March 31 to April 4, 2009

WOW! PAGSANJAN!!!
Wet… Oozing… Wild… and Worth It!

THEME: “TURISMO MISMO: Ugat ng Pagkakaisa, Kapayapaan at Kaunlaran!”

PAGSANJAN, the Tourist Capital of Laguna and the Home of Our Lady of Guadalupe is steadfast in its effort to regain its rightful place in the tourism industry as the premier world-class tourist destination in the Philippines through the annual “Pagsanjan Bangkero Festival” slated this year on March 31 to April 4, 2009.
Now on its eleventh year, under the dynamic leadership and keen supervision of the good and outstanding Pagsanjan Mayor Jeorge “E.R.” Ejercito Estregan, the “PAGSANJAN BANGKERO FESTIVAL”, which is annually held in the month of April, sets a precedent to other towns with its colorful and impressive line-up of events on land and on the river. These include a vibrant variety of competitions like the traditional boat race (Regatta), fluvial float parade & competition bundled with street dancing, drum and lyre band, trade fairs, cookfest, singing and modern dance contests, BANDigmaan (Battle of the Bands), sports events, “Palarong Bangkero”, world-class performances featuring the Bayanihan Philippine National Folk Dance Company of the Philippines, Douglas Nierras Powerdance, Inc., Shirley Halili-Cruz Ballet Company and the Sining Katutubo Dance Assembly. There is also the annual search for “Ginoong Bangkero” and “Lakan at Binibining Pagsanjan”.
The five-day celebration is inspired by Pagsanjan’s beloved and miraculous Patroness Our Lady of Guadalupe and dedicated to all the “Bangkeros” of Pagsanjan. “Bangkero” is the Tagalog word for the dexterous and skilled “Boatman” who spend most of their time on the river. They are the natural navigators and tour guides who expertly paddle, and bodily lift a “banca” or “canoe” upstream against the strong current between the gorge and canyon walls amidst a pristine panorama of lush, virgin forest, and then maneuver downstream through the wild rapids and rocks at breathtaking speed. They safely steer the tourist’s bancas in an exhilarating, spine-tingling, adrenaline-pumping shooting-the-rapids experience which makes it truly an exciting two-hour boatride experience of a lifetime, beginning from either the Bumbungan River or the Balanac River going towards the magnificent and globally-famous Pagsanjan Falls.
“In behalf of all the Pagsanjeños, I am inviting each one to visit Pagsanjan. Celebrate with us and enjoy Pagsanjan’s best in the “Pagsanjan Bangkero Festival 2009”. Come and see our beautiful town and experience the natural wealth of wonders – beyond the usual only Pagsanjan can offer – the Wet, Oozing, Wild and Worth it! Shooting the Rapids and the world-renowned and famous PAGSANJAN FALLS.
May you have a pleasant trip in discovering and exploring our lovely and beautiful town. MABUHAY! And WELCOME TO PAGSANJAN!”

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