BANGKERO FESTIVAL

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Celebrated every March 6-10 to mark the start of the summer season in the Philippines, Bangkero Festival in Pagsanjan, Laguna features stimulating water and in-land activities that will surely entertain its guests. The Palarong Bangkero or the fluvial parade and exhibitions highlight this fantastic festival. Other activities include street dancing, drum and lyre band completion, choral fest, cultural night, trade fair, sports events and a lot more. The festival commemorates the skill of Pagsanjan’s bangkeros (boatmen); who never fail in impressing their guests with their skill in maneuvering the boat against wild rapids amidst a pristine panorama of lush forest. – blog.mangotours.com

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The “Pagsanjan Bangkero Festival” features exciting events on water and land like the fluvial parade and exhibitions, street dancing, drum and lyre band competition, choralefest, cultural night, trade fair, sports events among others.

Photo from: phil-ip-pines.com

The “Pagsanjan Bangkero Festival” is inspired by and dedicated to all the bangkeros (boatmen) in Pagsanjan. These boatmen impress one with his skill and dexterity in maneuvering his boat upstream against wild rapids and amidst a pristine panorama of lush, virgin forest.

Photo from: seasite.niu.edu

“Bangkero” is the Tagalog word for the dexterous and skilled “Boatman”. They are the natural navigators and tour guides who expertly paddle, and bodily lift a “banca” or “canoe” upstream against the strong current between the gorge and canyon walls, and then maneuver downstream through the rapids and rocks at breathtaking speed; which makes it truly an exciting two-hour boat ride experience of a lifetime, at the famous Pagsanjan Falls.

Photo from: laguna-hotspring.com