On 27 September 2009, my Korean friends and I went to Pagsanjan Falls (Magdapio Falls) in Laguna. It was a Sunday, a day after Typhoon Ondoy (international designation: Ketsana) wreaked havoc in most parts of Metro Manila and nearby provinces. That Sunday morning, I stepped out of my unit all ready to meet up my friends who will pick me up in a coffee shop in F. Ortigas, Jr. Rd. (for. Emerald Ave.), and it seemed that everything was back to normal. My place wasn’t flooded. The streets were practically free of debris (due perhaps to being washed away by the rain), there were no dog litter around and the sun was shining quite brightly. There was hardly any evidence of damage in my area at all.
As my friends picked me up in a rented van, we cruised along the arterial roads of Pasig, plying through EDSA, then the Alabang flyover. Everything was again quite normal for me. I didn’t see any flooding at all. My friends and I were sharing our experiences during the day the typhoon hit landfall. Well, we all were safe and tucked neatly in our respective units watching cable TV and/or DVDs. As the car went on cruising, we were also chatting to while the time away and dead air. However, my Korean friend suggested halting talking, which we all did. I entertained myself by playing with my PSP.
At last we reached Laguna. There was like this arch that bids welcome to all tourists and travelers. Incidentally, Pagsanjan (pronounced pag-sang-han) is the tourism capital of Laguna and is touted as a world class tourist destination. This side of Laguna looked rustic and provincial. There are only few big establishments and they are mostly located in commercial centers of the Pagsanjan. Hence fresh air is in abundance in this side of the Philippines. Big name fastfood restaurants are also found here other than local restaurants that offer exotic cuisine.
There was a slight drizzle when we reached Pagsanjan. We didn’t even have to use our umbrellas for it was a tolerable shower. There were lots of resorts lining the road that offered trips to the falls. We chose one (I can’t name the resort) that is owned by a Korean and registered for a banca going to the falls to shoot the rapids. Boat ride fee was like Php580.00++. There’s also an extra fee for the vest, which is mandatory to wear. We also availed of a helmet.
It was a long trip going to the falls itself but it was worth it. The banceros were accommodating. The river was a little bit murky due to soil erosion caused by the typhoon. Hyacinths abound in some areas. Kids were jumping and somersaulting to the river. Chirping of birds could be heard in lush hedges. Tiny waterfalls abound. Huge boulders were incredible, strategically positioned in the river. The trees were magnificent. It’s a nature paradise, so pristine and relatively untouched.
I admire the talent, alertness, strength and vigilance of the banceros in maneuvering the boat through the rocks and boulders. That was the bumpy moment of the trip. At times I felt like the boat would capsize into the not so clear water and I might ingest organisms that would make me fall ill! Fortunately, nothing of that sort happened. Haha~! The banceros were always able to remove us from tight spots. Excellent job!
As we journeyed through the river, the air became even colder. There was intermittent shower and stray mist and water from the minor falls swept past us making us shiver in the cold. It was freezing to think it was past lunchtime that we started the boat ride to the falls. We finally reached Magdapio Falls after 45 or so minutes. What a relief! We were then assisted and escorted to a raft that would allow us to shoot the rapids. I was very excited. The first batch of people on the raft was screaming. Later, I realized the reason whey they were screaming like crazy. As the banceros led the raft directly under the falls (‘shooting the rapids’ part), creepy crawlies started to appear from the crevices of the raft and crawl up to the legs, thighs, navel, arms up to the head of the people! No wonder they were screaming as if they were being attacked by bugs, for indeed bugs were attacking them!
After the first batch had left, it was our turn now to board the raft. Lo! Behold! Alas! There were still creepy crawlies right under our feet. Although they were not so many, they still spawned shrieks from my Korean friends! The bugs looked like tiny roaches, all dark-colored and hideous. I tried flicking them with my fingers as soon as I see one crawling up my legs.
We were asked to sit down on the raft to avoid being outbalanced and overpowered by the ravage torrential flow of the water from the top. Seated snugly, shivering and freezing due to ice cold water, the banceros slowly brought us under the falls. The helmets we wore proved extremely useful as it protected us from the harsh water from the falls. For the untrained, one will surely be overpowered by the gush of water and might be injured in the process. Waterfall hitting my back caused a tinge of pain, like being paddled repeatedly. We were shooting the rapids for like only two minutes when the banceros started to maneuver back. But the other foreigners in the raft suggested going back. I was delighted for I really did enjoy it. When it was all over, I tipped the banceros Php500.00 for a job well done.
It’s also nice to know that something is being done to preserve the serene beauty of Pagsanjan. This place is a respite for hardworking Manila professionals who want to go nature-tripping just two hours outside of Manila.
Try going to Laguna and shoot the rapids at Pagsanjan Falls. I hope you enjoy it as much as my friends and I did~!