Following the trend set by other local governments in Laguna province, this year's celebration of the "Bangkero Festival" in Pagsanjan, Laguna was held in a more simple way due to the ongoing oil crisis.
Rather than the usual weeklong festivities, the 2026 Bangkero Festival was condensed into a single-day event called "Araw ng mga Bangkero" held last Saturday, April 25.
According to Mayor Januario "Jan" Garcia, the shortened festivities paid tribute to the "bangkeros" of Pagsanjan River who have become the backbone of the town's tourism industry, while expressing the LGU's solidarity with the national government amid the current crisis brought by the war in the Middle East.
“This celebration recognizes the boatmen’s invaluable contribution to our tourism industry,” Garcia said.
“Their impressive skill and dexterity in maneuvering boats upstream against the wild rapids continue to amaze visitors from around the world.”
Activities for the boat operator-centric event included a boat race competition, traditional Filipino parlor games, and the distribution of special assistance packages to boat operators.
The day's festivities wrapped up with the "Handog Saya para sa Pagsanjeño," which included performances by local talents and invited guests at the town plaza.
The event, a past winner of provincial tourism awards, celebrates the boat operator’s role in sustaining the town’s economy under the theme “Isang Araw, Isang Diwa, Isang Bayan.”
(With report from PNA)
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