Pagsanjan

If you have been reading my previous blogs, this one is somehow connected with Lumban. Pagsanjan is a barrio of Lumban, but due to uprisings of the people living in barrio Pagsanjan, a gubenatorial decree was released for Pagsanjan to become a town. 

Pagsanjan is a small town, and a second class municipality. The town also served as the second capital of the province of Laguna before it was transferred to Santa Cruz.

One will easily distinguish that you are in the center of the town,once you passed by the iconic and historical Pagsanjan three way arch. Legends say that the reason why the arch was built there is because the patroness of the town; Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared in the site where the arch was erected, according to the story, a man saw a beautiful woman on a cold night, holding a sword and warding of tulisans in invading the town, the lady then drew a straight line and ordered them not to dare loot the town. The man then reported this to the mayor of the town and they really saw a straight line on where the lady appeared, that is one of the reasons why the arch was erected there. The road where the arch was erected is now known as "Calle Arco".

Pagsanjan Arch/ Calle Arco

Pagsanjan is known as the tourist capital of Laguna because of the famous Pagsanjan falls. If we are talking about geography, the said falls is really not located in Pagsanjan, it is located in Cavinti, Laguna. It was called Pagsanjan falls because a native from Pagsanjan is the one who found it. Until now, even if pacts were made, it still remains a big issue for both towns, I don't want to dwell in this issue, moving on, the fare towards the falls is divided into three towns, namely, Pagsanjan, Cavinti, and Lumban, this somehow explains why the fare is very expensive.

I haven't been to the falls, so I just gave a background about it, so just you wanna know.

Pagsanjan Church taken last December 12, 2015

The town is the home of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The church of Pagsanjan is one of the most beautiful churches during the Spanish era, built in the year 1690 made of adobe stones. But the church was destroyed due to carpet bombings during World War II.

The church was declared a diocesan shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe last 2013.


The church is home for two iconic images of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

The second class tilma which also came from Mexico.

The altar image made by Maximo Vicente

The two images wherein one is installed at the altar is the one made by Maximo Vicente a famous sculptor. While the processional image is the one that came from Mexico together with it is a "tilma" which is displayed at the side chapel of the church.

The processional image which came from Mexico
The image is episcopally crowned.

Aside from the church if, you are looking for a place to eat, you may stroll along restaurants that is situated at Calle Arco. This fact saddens me, because they turned almost all the heritage  houses located at the main street into a restaurant.

The restaurant you should try the food are Calle Arco, which was featured for many times in newspapers and televisions. You may also try eating in Balai Ilocos as well and Emin and Mila's. If you are looking for a refreshing dessert you must try eating the famed Halo- halo of Aling Taleng's which is definitely good and is affordable as well.

Here are the images for the Calle Arco:

Garlic rice and Pancit canton (4.5/5)
Pancit Canton- 160 pesos
Garlic rice- 130 pesos

Sizzling porkchop with white sauce (4.5/5)
Sizzling porkchop- 270 pesos

Fixture in one of the walls of Calle Arco

Aling Taleng's Halo- halo (5/5)
As far as I can recall it is 75 pesos.

To get to Pagsanjan, ride a bus going to Sta. Cruz, then ride a jeep with a signage of Pagsanjan the jeepney fare is 10 pesos.

If you want to experience shooting the rapids, better go to Pagsanjan central boat terminal located near the church, or go to resorts located along Pagsanjan river, the fare going to the falls is 1,250 per person if I remember it correctly.

Additional photos:

Stone relic of Our Lady of Guadalupe 

The church's altar during the town fiesta of Dec. 12, 2015

Pagsanjan is a small town, I think if not for the falls, the town may not be rising economically, they also have the Bangkero festival which is always held every month of March.

All photos used are mine.