| Municipality of Pagsanjan Bayan ng Pagsanjan |
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| — Municipality — | |||
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| Nickname(s): Tourist Capital of Laguna | |||
| Map of Laguna showing the location of Pagsanjan | |||
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Municipality of Pagsanjan
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| Coordinates: | |||
| Country | Philippines | ||
| Region | CALABARZON (Region IV-A) | ||
| Province | Laguna | ||
| District | 4th District of Laguna | ||
| Founded | 1688 | ||
| Barangays | 16 | ||
| Government | |||
| • Mayor | Girlie "Maita Sanchez" Ejercito (PMP, 2010-2013) | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 26.36 km2 (10.2 sq mi) | ||
| Population (2007) | |||
| • Total | 35,944 | ||
| • Density | 1,363.6/km2 (3,531.7/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | PST (UTC+8) | ||
| ZIP code | 4008 | ||
| Income class | 4th | ||
| Population Census of Pagsanjan | |||
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| Census | Pop. | Rate | |
| 1995 | 28,999 |
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| 2000 | 32,622 | 2.56% | |
| 2007 | 35,944 | 1.35% | |
Pagsanjan (pronounced 'Pag-sang-han') is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Laguna, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 35,944 people in 7,274 households. It is situated about 92 kilometers south of Manila. The main tourist spot of Pagsanjan is the Pagsanjan Falls or (Magdapio Falls). A particular highlight is the boatride, which passes through 14 rapids maneuvered by boatmen between rocks and boulders, leading to the main falls.
Pagsanjan is the tourist capital of Laguna and the home of the Bankero Festival. The 'bangkeros' are tour guides, who steer the tourists' bancas. They are the boatmen who shoot the rapids all the way to the famous Pagsanjan Falls. The Bankero Festival is celebrated in the month of March.
The incumbent mayor of Pagsanjan, Laguna is Hon. Girlie J. Ejercito, known as former actress Maita Sanchez. She is also the wife of Emilio Ramon "Jorge Estregan, Jr." Ejercito, who served as mayor from 2001–2010 and currently the governor of Laguna.
For 170 years (1688–1858), Pagsanjan was the capital of the province of Laguna. During this long period, the town basked in the magnificent glow of greatness. Pagsanjan bloomed as the commercial, cultural and learning center of the province, and was called the "Athens of Laguna".[1]
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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.
Pagsanjan has a land area of 26.4 square kilometres. 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.
Pagsanjan is politically subdivided into 16 barangays.
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On July 4, 1946, (1975 Edition) based on an article written by Dr.Gregorio F. Zaide, the Republic of the Philippines was inaugurated with colorful ceremonies at Luneta, Manila. This historic ceremonies were highlighted by the lowering of the American flag and the raising of the Philippine flag, symbolic of the end of American rule in the Philippines and the birth of the Philippine Republic. This republic, historically speaking, is the Third Philippine Republic to emerge in history's limelight. The first was the Malolos Republic (1899–1901); and the second, the Japanese-sponsored Republic of the Philippines (1943–1945).
During the three decades of our Republic, the blowing winds of change swept the town of Pagsanjan, bringing portentous events which shaped the contemporary history of the town.
Because of the destruction of their ancestral homes in Pagsanjan and the threat of the Huk movement in the towns and barrios of Laguna province, many Pagsanjeño families evacuated their native town and lived permanently in the Greater Manila area. This exodus of Pagsanjeño families was an irreparable loss to the town because they mostly represented the elite of the local population. Most of them were the rich landlords and the talented intellectuals. A few prominent families noted for their lineage and inherited wealth, however, remained in town and cooperated with the common people in the rebuilding of their ruined town.
The rich Pagsanjeño families who left the town resided in Manila, Pasay, Makati, Caloocan City, and San Juan, where they built their homes and reared their families. Some of them sold out their ancestral residential lots in Pagsanjan, for they had no intention of restoring their old homes in town. They became absentee landlords, for they simply employed some persons called encargados to manage their family rice farms and coconut plantations.
Although they lived far from their town, these migrant Pagsanjeños cherished in their hearts an eternal affection for the town where they were born. Those who possessed God-given talents achieved distinction in arts and sciences, in politics and diplomacy, in business and banking, and in other professions. Their achievements, of course, enhanced the celebration of the town fiesta (December 12), Christmas season, All Saint's Day, Flores de Mayo, and Santacruzan, they try their best to visit childhood friends.
To the credit of these Pagsanjeños or descendants of Pagsanjeño parents, it must be said that whenever their financial or moral support is needed by their town for any community project, for beautification program, or for the annual fiesta of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Patroness of Pagsanjan), they gladly give it. For instance, the historic stone town gate, one of the historical relics of Pagsanjan, was finally restored to its former colonial condition in May, 1975, because of the funds generously contributed by the Pagsanjeños in Greater Manila. The municipal government could not do it for lack of funds. Aside from giving financial assistance to the town, the prominent Pagsanjeños in Greater Manila help many of their jobless kababayan (townmates) secure employment in the national government, in private schools and colleges, and in commercial firms. So it can be said that no matter how far-away the Pagsanjeños live, their hearts are in Pagsanjan.
Pagsanjeños truly loved fiestas and the town seems to be lively all year round. The residents usually have weekend family gatherings along the famous river. They like cooking and picnics specially during summer season. They are self reliant and hardworking people.
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