Pagsanjan Falls
Pagsanjan Falls, also called Cavinti Falls, and locally, Magdapio Falls, is one of the Philippines' most famous waterfalls. Gracefully descending in a nearly magical site, it's without a doubt a very early tourist attraction in the Philippines, that was introduced to the outside world via an American missionary visiting it in 1902. And it was this early tourist who initially gave it that name, "Pagsanjan Falls," although its name was originally Magdapio Falls. A legend exists giving credence to all this name business, told by Dr. Gregorio Zaide, narrating Magdapio who, after losing his brother in a drought, grew sad and roamed through the lush gorges searching for water. But locating none, he screamed to the gods. Sympathizing with him, the gods made a waterfall to start pouring out in what is today the renowned waterfall. However, the name Pagsanjan derives from the Tagalog term “Pinagsangahan” that translates to “where it branches," which refers to two rivers, Balanac and Bumbungan, branching off.
Pagsanjan Falls Tour
Despite the waterfalls itself belongs to the jurisdiction of the nearby Cavinti town, the boat ride to the falls, an extremely important part of the experience, is in Pagsanjan town. From this point, you can book your trip with whichever tour guide provided by resorts. As of the year 2007, the going rate was at P660 (or $56.49) due to so much haggling. In addition, there's a toll fee which goes to the town. Then you have to pay another P90, or $10.00, to rent the bamboo raft which takes you quite close to the falls so that you can even feel them descending and splashing. Permit at least a budget of P1,000 ($150) for the whole experience, plus a small tip to offer the boatman, which is customary there.
Make no mistake: the “shooting the rapids” tour is an exciting adventure filled with visual rewards. Many years ago, the whitewater travel of Cagayan de Oro and then Chico River got developed, and skilled boatmen navigated their bancas right through the rough rapids of the wild Bumbungan River. In fact, this has grown into a sort of art, but today a license is even needed for certifying your skill. An additional incredible bonus is the Pagsanjan Gorge that lies on two sides of the river. Since the forests are still much the way they always were, you can catch monkeys everywhere across the river. A word of caution: tourists may be required to put on helmets on account of monkeys throwing rocks at people. A side trip to consider is Talahib Falls, which can be taken before going to the Pagsanjan Falls. When it rains other waterfalls begin to swell and thus become highlights as well: Wedding Veil Falls, Kalukuy Falls, and other waterfalls.
And finally, the raft trip to the Pagsanjan Falls starts, as the trip's climax. Usually a bamboo raft and a skilled boatman will take visitors through the waterfalls to get uncommonly close to the Devil’s cave. This adventure, along with the "shooting the rapids," puts Pagsanjan Falls in an entirely different category from the other waterfalls to continue to be the most sensational waterfall experience found in Luzon.
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