The main falls are actually located within the territorial jurisdiction of Cavinti, Laguna, approximately 3.2 Kilometers away from the boundaries of Cavinti and Pagsanjan, but the more popular access by canoes originates from the town of Pagsanjan. An ordinance was passed by the ruling body of the town of Cavinti was submitted to the Sangguniang Bayan on February 10, 2009 proposing the renaming of the falls to Cavinti Falls.
The falls and gorge were declared as a National Park with Proc. 392 on March 29, 1939 and Proc. 1551 on March 31, 1976. The Pagsanjan Gorge National Park covers an area of.
Legend
According to history, the Pagsanjan Falls is rich in legendary lore. Long, long ago, recounts one legend, there were no falls. There were only the foliaged highlands, the twin rivers called Bumbungan and Balanac, and the alluvial delta where the town of Pagsanjan now nestles. On the eastern bank of the Bumbungan River lived two old brothers named Balubad and Magdapio. For many years, the two brothers enjoyed a rustic life of peace and happiness. But one day calamity struck. A terrible drought brought ruin and death; no rains came for successive months. The soil became dry as tinder. The blooming flowers and food plants withered and died. The birds, deer, wild hogs, monkeys, and other animals disappeared. The rivers, creeks, and mineral springs dried up. Not a single drop of life-giving rain fell from heaven.
Balubad and Magdapio suffered immensely. Day and night, they prayed for rain, but the gods did not heed their prayers. The older and weaker of the two brothers, Balubad, died of thirst. Magdapio, with a sorrowing heart, buried him on the slope of the mountain overlooking the river delta. This mountain is now called Balubad.
Left alone in a waterless world, Magdapio agonizingly trekked to the upper region of the arid riverbed. He reached the high rocky cliffs, after an arduous journey. But to his utter disappointment, he found no water.
"Ye gods!" he sobbed bitterly, "Where is the water?" In despair, he angrily hurled down his big cane among the rocks.
Suddenly, a spring bubbled on the spot where the cane fell. Rapidly it grew bigger. The fresh waters roared down the canyon walls, soon becoming a booming waterfall. Amazed at the miracle, Magdapio fell on his knees and thanked the gods. He drank the cool water until he felt new energy surging in his blood. Thus emerged the falls of Pagsanjan.
Access to the falls
Pagsanjan
The most popular way of reaching the falls is through the Shooting the rapids boat ride, which originates from any of the resorts along Bumbungan and Balanac Rivers. Two skilled and licensed boatmen takes one to three passengers on wooden or fiberglass, long, narrow canoes to the falls, which could take more than an hour of paddling upstream depending on traffic and water level. The journey takes passengers through the narrow and verdant Pagsanjan Gorge lined with huge boulders, rocks and small waterfalls. The ride upstream ends in a natural pool below the falls where an optional raft ride takes visitors through a curtain of cascading water to the Devil's cave behind the falls. The return trip called Shooting the rapids is a thrill ride through fourteen rapids as the skilled boatmen maneuvers the boat through the narrow rocks as it head downstream.
Cavinti
It is also possible to hike the falls from the town of Cavinti, Laguna. The municipal government of Cavinti established the Pueblo El Salvador Nature's Park and Picnic Grove, in Brgy. Tibatib on February 24, 2007 to capitalize in the popularity of Pagsanjan Falls, which is within the boundaries of the town. A few small falls are located upriver by hiking from the park. The topmost stage of Pagsanjan falls, known as Nakulo Falls, can only be viewed from the view decks of the park. Only the top of the middle falls is visible from the park, the hidden second drop can only be viewed from the raft ride from below. To reach the main falls, one has to go down a steep steel ladder, which in one section goes vertically straight down. The raft to the falls and the 'shooting the rapid' boat ride are also available from the park management.
