Pagsanjan (pronounced PAG-sang-han), officially the Municipality of Pagsanjan (), is a municipality in the province of Laguna, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 44,327 people.
It is known as the tourist capital of Laguna and is the home of the Bangkero Festival held every March. The bangkeros are tour guides who steer boats along the river to Pagsanjan Falls (also called Magdapio Falls), for which the town is well known but is actually in neighboring Cavinti.
The municipality was the capital of the province of Laguna for 170 years (from 1688 to 1858) during which the town prospered as the commercial, cultural and learning center of the province.[ Pagsanjan Official Site ]
Etymology
Pagsanjan is located in the
Riparian zone delta formed by the
confluence of the Balanac and Bumbungan
rivers. Originally called
Pinágsangahán ("branching" or "juncture"), this was shortened to "Pagsanjan" by early Spanish colonists because they found the name very difficult to pronounce.
History
was originally a
Barangay of Lumban. In 1668, eight Japanese and Chinese traders, who were highly impressed by the strategic location of the barrio at the juncture of
Balanac and
Bumbungan, rivers founded the town. They established a trading settlement and engaged in the betel nut industry. In time, the barrio became the flourishing trading center of eastern Laguna and attracted families from the surrounding communities of
Cavinti and Pila. On December 12, 1668, then-Governor-General Juan Manuel de la Peña Bonifaz issued a decree elevating its status to a town. In 1688, Pagsanjan replaced Bay as the capital of the province. It remained such until 1858, during which it bloomed as the cultural and commercial center of the province.
List of mayors
-
Juan L. Fabella
-
Fidelino C. Agawin (1959–1963)
-
Quintin Cabrera (1963–1971)
-
Gregorio F. Zaide (1971–1975)
-
Adelina Becina Gabatan
-
Hernando Zaide (1986–1987)
-
Augusto Kamatoy (1988–1998)
-
Abner Afuang (1998–2001)
-
Girlie Yulatic Javier-Ejercito (2010-2019)
-
Peter Casius Trinidad (2019–2022)
-
Cesar V. Areza (2022–2025)
-
E. R. Ejercito (2001–2010 & 2025–present)
Geography
Pagsanjan has a land area of 26.4 square kilometres. It is bounded on the east by the
Balubad Mountain; on the west by the capital town of Santa Cruz; on the north by the San Isidro Hill and Laguna de Bay; on the north-east by the town of Lumban; on the southeast by the towns of Cavinti and Luisiana; on the south by
Mount Banahaw; and on the south-west by the town of Magdalena.
Situated from Santa Cruz, southeast of Manila, and from Lucena, this town can reach via Manila East Road or SLEX.
Barangays
Pagsanjan is politically subdivided into 16
, as indicated below and in the image herein. Each barangay consists of
and some have
sitios.
-
Anibong
-
Biñan
-
Buboy
-
Cabanbanan
-
Calusiche
-
Dingin
-
Lambac
-
Layugan
-
Magdapio
-
Maulawin
-
Pinagsanjan
-
Barangay I (Poblacion)
-
Barangay II (Poblacion)
-
Sabang
-
Sampaloc
-
San Isidro
Climate
Demographics
In the 2020 census, the population of Pagsanjan was 44,327 people, with a density of .
Government
| + Elected municipal officials (2025–2028) |
|
| Mayor | E.R Ejercito | |
| Vice Mayor | Januario Ferry G. Garcia | |
| Councilors | Rod H. Fernandez | |
| John Paul J. Ejercito | |
| Allan Q. Arroyo | |
| Dennis Dale V. Gonzales | |
| Noel L. Cabella | |
| Nathanael C. Bernales II | |
| Ronie S. Leron | |
| Melvin B. Madriaga | |
Economy
Culture
Pagsanjan March
The official song of the town is the "Pagsanjan March". The anthem was composed by Rogel Taiño, a native of Pagsanjan.
Bangkero Festival
Also known as "Pagsanjan Bangkero Festival", celebrated in a five-day annual event held every April in honor of The Patron of the town and the skilled local boatmen called Bangkeros. The festival features colorful boat races, street dancing, float parades, trade fairs, concerts, and sports events. Taking place in Bumbungan or Balanac Rivers to the famous Pagsanjan Falls using Bangkeros skills.
Education
The Pagsanjan Schools District Office governs all educational institutions within the municipality. It oversees the management and operations of all private and public, from primary to secondary schools.
Primary and elementary schools
-
Anibong Elementary School
-
Caesar Z. Lanuza Elementary School
-
Dingin Elementary School
-
Dr. Augusto E. Hocson Elementary School
-
Francisco Benitez Memorial School
-
Good Beginnings Foundation Learning Center
-
Jose A. Gallardo, Sr. Elementary School (Magdapio Elementary School)
-
M. Z. Lanuza Elementary School
-
Maulawin Elementary School
-
Pagsanjan Academy
-
Pinagsanjan Elementary School
-
Sampaloc Elementary School
-
San Isidro Elementary School
-
Unson Elementary School
Secondary school
-
Liceo de Pagsanjan
-
Pagsanjan National High School
-
Stand Alone Senior High School No. 3
-
Unson National High School
Higher educational institutions
-
Angelita V. Del Mundo Foundation
-
AVM Foundation (Sampaloc)
-
Paete Science and Business College
Notable personalities
-
Maita Sanchez - Actress, Mayor and Vice Mayor of Pagsanjan
-
Pedro Pelaez - educator and priest, considered the "Father of Filipinization of the Church" and "The Godfather of the Philippine Revolution"
-
Gelia Tagumpay Castillo – National Scientist of the Philippines for Rural Sociology
-
Gregorio F. Zaide - historian and author, "Dean of Filipino Historiographers"
-
Leandro H. Fernández - educator, author and historian
-
Francisco Benitez - First Dean of University of the Philippines College of Education, educator and author, husband of Paz Marquez Benitez
-
Conrado Benitez - First Dean of the College of Liberal Arts at the University of the Philippines, educator and author, one of the drafters of the 1935 Constitution.
-
José Fabella - Filipino physician and a public health advocate, Father of Public Health and Social Welfare in the Philippines.
-
Vicente Fabella – first Filipino certified public accountant and founder of José Rizal University
-
Ernesto Maceda - former councilor of Manila, former senator, senate president, columnist and lawyer
-
Mario Montenegro - actor
-
Louie Ignacio - TV director
-
Danilo Fernandez- Actor, Mayor of Santa Rosa City, Board Member, 9th Vice Governor of Laguna and Member of the House of Representatives from Laguna's 1st District
-
E.R. Ejército - Actor, 17th Governor of Laguna and Mayor of Pagsanjan
See also
External links
