Pagsanjan (pronounced 'Pag-sang-han'), is a municipality in the province of Laguna in the Philippines. It is the tourist capital of the province and it is famous for songs and storytelling. It is situated about 92 kilometers south of Manila. The main tourist spot of Pagsanjan is the Pagsanjan Falls or (Magdapio Falls), whose enchanting beauty fascinates tourists from all corners of the globe.

The most exciting part of Pagsanjan is the boatride which passes through 14 rapids maneuvered by boatmen between rocks and boulders that leads to the main falls.

History

Pagsanjan, was originally a barrio of Lumban. In 1668, eight Japanese and Chinese traders who were highly impressed by the strategic location of the barrio at the juncture of Balanac and Bumbungan rivers founded the town. They established a trading settlement and engaged in the betelnut industry. In time, the barrio became the flourishing trading center of eastern Laguna and attracted families from the surrounding communities of Cavinti, Pila, and Santa Cruz. On December 12, 1668, the then Governor General Manuel Dela Peña Bonifaz , issued a gubernatorial decree elevating its status from barrio to a town. In 1688, Pagsanjan replaced Bay as the capital of the province. It remained such until 1858, during which it bloomed as the cultural and commercial center of the province.

Geography

Pagsanjan has a total land area of 26.36 square kilometers. It is located 101 kilometers south of Manila. It is bounded on the east by the Balubad Mountain ; on the west by the capital town of Santa Cruz; on the north by the San Isidro Hill and Laguna de Bay; on the northeast by the town of Lumban; on the southeast by the towns of Cavinti and Luisiana; on the south by Mount Banahaw; and on the southwest by the town of Magdalena.