Shooting the rapids of Pagsanjan in small boats or bancas is a major tourist attraction in the resort province of Laguna, particularly in Pagsanjan. This is why the town, considered the tourist capital of Laguna, had come up with the "Pagsanjan Bangkero Festival" held every first week of March and it features exciting events on water and land.
In this annual festival, professional boatmen show off their skills in varied competitions organized by the local government. Boats are brightly spruced up especially for the occasion. The boatmen of Pagsanjan are pulling together to give their town a brand new image. At the annual Bangkero River Festival, they brave the rapids in a competition to reach the majestic Pagsanjan falls.
Activities relating to the Pagsanjan Bangkero Festival include:
- "palarong bangkero" (fluvial parade and exhibitions)
- street dancing
- drum and lyre band competition
- chorale fest
- cultural night
- trade fair
- sports events
There is also a Search for Lakan and Binibining Pagsanjan and Ginoong Pagsanjan Bangkero.
The Pagsanjan Bangkero Festival is dedicated to all the bangkeros or boatmen in the province of Pagsanjan and inspired the miraculous Patroness, Our Lady of Guadalupe.
All visitors are impressed with the skills of all boatmen which is traverse their own boat upstream beside wild rapids and amidst a wondrous view of lush tropical forest.
These bangkeros are natural navigators and tour guides as they safely steer the tourists' bancas in an exhilarating, spine-tingling, adrenaline-pumping shooting the rapids experience, and that is why the people of Pagsanjan invite everyone to visit Pagsanjan, to witness, celebrate and enjoy Pagsanjan's bestin this festival.
Other competitions during the festival include:
- bunong braso
- palo sebo
- swimming
- street dancing
- land floats
- river floats
- beauty pageant
Everyone is invited to join and experience the five-day celebration in the town, where everyone is friendly and hospitable.