Pagsanjan Falls - Pagsanjan Laguna

Part of our Summer Vacation '2013 itinerary was Laguna.  Laguna is noted as the birthplace of our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal.  Other than this, it is also known for the Pagsanjan Falls. However, we are not discounting the other beautiful towns of Laguna because they were also considered during this trip. As I have mentioned in my other posts, all of our trips this time were planned and scheduled.

Our trip to Laguna was fun and enjoyable.  We enjoyed the food, the warm water spring, their hand woven baskets and the natural scenery. We decided to have a two-night stay in two different hotels inorder to maximize going to the different towns that do not only have a historical contribution but also to appreciate what it can offer aside from the century old churches that we have visited, too.

We arrived in Pagsanjan in the afternoon and because we were famished at that time, we decided to try the Calle Arco Restaurant.  The food served was very good and delicious. It was an old house located along the main road and was transformed into a restaurant.

Old Town gate of Pagsanjan, Laguna

Calle Arco Restaurant

We reached the hotel where we spent the night and Dennis and I treated ourselves to a relaxing massage.  We had a very long and tiring trip, I would say, but it was all worthwhile. We requested a masseuse to our room. Since we were on the roof top, we were able to have a view of the river where we will have the boat ride the next day.

We woke up early the next day because we were scheduled for the 7:00 am trip, the first trip to the falls.  They offer other schedules, as well, but we preferred the early trip as it was still cool.  When we reached the boat station, the boat that we would be riding just arrived, too.  I felt a bit of hesitation to board the boat because it seemed that it could easily trip and capsize. Moreover, it can only accommodate 2 to 3 passengers. I just prayed.  I knew that we are being guided, anyway. Dennis and I shared the first boat while our company were on the second boat.

When the boatmen started the motor of the boat that was going pull us towards the middle of the river, and our boat began moving, I just remained still and stayed closer to Dennis. Whatever happens, I will just cling on to him because he knows how to swim and I don't. Since we rented two boats, the other boat was behind us and was tied to a rope on our boat.  Meaning, the two boats were being pulled by the motor boat.  When we reached quite a distance in the middle of the river, we were detached from the motor boat and the boatmen started paddling.  I was amazed how strong these guys were because going to the falls was upstream, meaning they were paddling against the current through rocks and boulders all the way to the falls.

The boat that brings you to Pagsanjan Falls

The boat is being steered through rocks and boulders

The boatman paddling against the current

Cavinti Shed

On our way, I saw a marker which said Cavinti.  I found out later that the Pagsanjan Falls was locally known as the Cavinti Falls and its indigenous name was Magdapio Falls.  The Pagsanjan Falls is actually located in Cavinti, a municipality of Laguna. (Cavinti, Laguna)

The boatmen were skilled and accredited.  Actually, they were even wearing an ID and a uniform shirt. While on the way, we were talking to them and we learned that it was their family's source of living. Incidentally, our boatmen were brothers and they said that they were trained by their father. The boat that we were riding was made of fiberglass contrary to what I thought was wood.   On our trip, the view was very scenic. It was so beautiful, serene and with lush vegetation and natural rock formations. I was able to see different types of butterflies and birds.  Our daughter said she saw monkeys, too.

 

When we reached halfway, we had a stop. The boatmen needed rest.  You could really see how tired they were because inspite the cool weather, they were indeed sweating all over.  Business was evident, too, because when we reached the place, they were offering chicken barbecue and coke.  Definitely, we were not hungry because we had a very good breakfast.  They told us to buy food for the boatmen because they were tired and we still had a long way to go. It could have been a modus operandi, but whatever it was, it's their conscience, not ours.  We were told not to bring anything because we will eventually get wet during the trip.  However, Dennis, who always sees things ahead, brought with him a few pesos, just enough to pay for their meal. He brought some money for the supposed tip of these boatmen, but we ended going home with one of them because the money that was left was just enough tip for the boatmen of the other boat.

The first falls that we saw on our stopover was a minor falls.  I thought that was the Pagsanjan Falls already.  They say that you can really appreciate the falls during rainy season because it is more turbulent. When we reached the major falls, lo and behold, i already saw in person the falls that i have only seen on post cards.  We rode a raft going to the falls. It was a wonderful experience just wading in the water and have the feel of the real cold water splashing on your face, but you have to watch out especially if you are not a swimmer because we were told that if you go closer to the middle of the falls, it was very deep. I just contented myself on the side.  Later, we were asked to go to the raft on a prone position. I was able to experience a natural "hard" back massage. After which, we headed back.

The exciting part of this trip was not only the sight of the falls in itself but experiencing the rapid descent downstream which is called "shooting the rapids". This is a "must-see" natural wonder.

Underground Cemetary - Nagcarlan, Laguna

Our 2013 summer trip was planned long before Dennis came home for a vacation.  We wanted to maximize our bonding time by scheduling all our activities and calendar them so that a day would not be wasted.  We started with identifying places of historical significance within Pampanga, then Bulacan, Manila, and until we moved further south going to Cavite and Laguna.  While he was still in the US, he began searching for these places until he came across the underground cemetery in Nagcarlan, Laguna.  He shared the link to me and as I started reading, it seemed quite interesting.  It was only when we went to this place that I have proven myself wrong.  It was not only interesting but I was amazed by just looking at the facade along the highway.  You could already see its historicity, the painstaking preservation that the National Historic Commission have exerted together with the government of Nagcarlan.  It was indeed beautiful.

 

We took several steps from the main entrace to reach a small chapel inside.  As was inscripted, it was not just an exclusive cemetery for the Spanish Friars but it served as a meeting place for the revolutionary leaders, the katipuneros.

The Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery Historical Landmark is a fine example of Spanish colonial architecture. Built by the Franciscan Friar Vicente Velloc in 1845, its octagonal grounds are enclosed by a wall decorated with wrought-iron grills and stonework meant to look like drapery.
            

An arched gate leads to the chapel built into the cemetery's inner wall. Wings radiate from the sides of the chapel, forming an arc where the above ground niches are found. Under the chapel, two flights down, is the crypt.  This underground section of the cemetery played an important role in our history.  Throughout the Revolution of 1896 and the Filipino-American War, our fighting patriots used the crypt as a secret hideout, gathering here to plan their moves or to seek shelter.  Similarly, it became a safehouse for guerrillas during the World War II. (Underground Cemetery)

As we were walking towards the Chapel/Cemetery, I could not help but be amazed by how well kept it was.  It was so clean and green. There were a few tourists who were with us at that time.

The cemetary is indeed one of its kind. It is amazing how it was architecturally designed. You would enter through an arched wooden door which was preserved.  You would feel an eerie feeling as you enter because it was so quiet and at the same time having the thought that it was an old cemetery.  Although renovation has been done, they have preserved what was remaining of the wood on the ceiling. At the altar,  you will see the centerpiece image. It was said that this is where the final funeral rites are done before entombment.

The underground cemetery consists of two flights of stairs going down.  The underground was so cold and the feeling is quite different when you are there.  We took some shots although we were not allowed to use the flash of our cameras.

No entrance fee was collected however, donation was very much welcome. We were asked to register our names and personal details in the logbook.