Pagsanjan, the tourist capital of Laguna, will stage the 9th Pagsanjan Bangkero Festival starting today until March 18.
According to town Mayor Jeorge Estregan, the festival, with this year’s theme "Pagsanjan Falls! Kalikasang Totoo…Sikat sa Buong Mundo!", advocates environmental protection and the promotion of local tourism.
The festival includes a host of activities such as a marathon, boat races, fluvial and land parades, drum and lyre band competitions, and other sporting and special events to spice up the celebration.
There will also be the search for the "Lakan at Binibining Pagsanjan", the "Ginoong Bangkero 2007" and the Inter-School Videoke challenge to tap local talents.
Highlight is on March 18, Sunday, which will have dancing exhibitions. The final round of the boat race, native games, and the most–awaited fluvial parade competition on the Pagsanjan River will also be held.
The four-day event concludes with the San Miguel Night variety show and an evening fireworks display.
Estregan said that the Festival is inspired by the town’s patroness, the Our Lady of Guadalupe. The festivity is also a tribute to the skilled boatmen who shoot the rapids all the way to the world-famous Pagsanjan Falls.
"The ‘bangkeros’ are natural navigators and tour guides as they safely steer the tourists’ bancas in an exhilarating, spine–tingling, and adrenaline–pumping shootingthe-rapids-experience," he said.
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