SHOOTING THE RAPIDS

[Photo: Pagsanjan Falls]

Pagsanjan Falls (indigenous name: Magdapio Falls) is one of the most famous waterfalls in the Philippines. Located in the province of Laguna, the falls is one of the major tourist attractions in the region. The falls are reached by a river trip on dugout canoe, known locally as shooting the rapids, originating from the municipality of Pagsanjan. The boat ride has been an attraction since the Spanish Colonial Era with the oldest written account in 1894. The town of Pagsanjan lies at the confluence of two rivers, the Balanac River and the Bumbungan River (also known as the Pagsanjan River). (Wikipedia)

I have been here three times already. The first time was a family outing. I was in grade school then. The second time was many years later. I was at that time a young priest working as a catechist (spiritual moderator) of the High School department. Our community decided to go there for our community outing. The last time was about a couple of years ago. The parents of one of our Postnovices graciously gave this to us as a treat.

Every time I go there the strength, stamina and skill of the boatmen called “bangkeros” never fail to impress me. The journey to the falls is not always through water. Hence, it is not always a matter of paddling. Many times the boatmen have to push, pull, and lift a boat with four people aboard as they negotiate the river strewn with boulders.

I pitied a boatman during my second excursion to the falls. A visitor probably through carelessness threw some litter with a sharp edge. Our boatmen stepped on it and wounded himself. It wasn’t serious but it certainly wasn’t a painless. And what made matters worse was that we were still on the way to the falls. There was still a return trip.

I must give credit to the local government unit for putting in order the business of “shooting the rapids”. They have standardized the fees. This is something good for both tourists and boatmen. No extra charges are to be asked and none should be given. Boatmen have to register themselves. They are given schedules. This is especially good during the lean months in order to ensure that everyone is given the opportunity to earn something.

Another thing that caught my attention was the provision of head gear and life jacket. I think it was only on this third visit that we were provided with these equipment. The life jacket was to prevent drowning. That was obvious. But why the head gear? The first thing that came to my mind was for protection when we go under the falls. Some rocks might fall with the water. And I for one wouldn’t want to have them fall on my head. But perhaps it was really meant to protect our heads should the boat capsize while negotiating the boulders to and from the falls.

I like nature-tripping. How I love to stand and marvel at the beauty of creation! A sunset of blazing colors. Mountain tops peaking through clouds in the early morning hours. Mighty waterfalls covering the pools below with spray. The black night sky sprinkled with an abundance of stars. Or even just a flower with its arms outstretched in welcome. One word captures the feeling that overpowers me when I behold the beauty and the power of creation: awesome! It is then that I remember Psalm 8 and Psalm 19 . Psalm 8 declares:

When I see your heavens, the work of your fingers,

the moon and stars that you set in place—

What is man that you are mindful of him,

and a son of man that you care for him?

Yet you have made him little less than a god,

crowned him with glory and honor.

You have given him rule over the works of your hands,d

put all things at his feet:

All sheep and oxen,

even the beasts of the field,

The birds of the air, the fish of the sea,

and whatever swims the paths of the seas.

O LORD, our Lord,

how awesome is your name through all the earth!