Pahiyas Festival in Lucban, Quezon

 

Dubbed as one of the most colorful festival in the Philippines, the Pahiyas Festival in Lucban, Quezon where the townspeople decorate their houses with farm produce, commercial products and kiping best shows the creativity of Filipinos.

The word “pahiyas” came from “payas,” a local word which means “to decorate or decoration.” Aside from farm products, the houses are made more eye-catching by the multi-colored “kiping,” a leaf-shaped wafers made of rice.

Every 15th of May, tourists flock the streets of Lucban to witness the beautifully adorned houses during the Pahiyas Festival.

The Pahiyas Festival is celebrated every May 15 in honor of San Isidro de Labrador, the patron saint of farmers. But even before Spanish colonization, the locals have been celebrating to thank their gods for the bountiful harvest. When the Spaniards arrived, the locals continued their tradition and brought their produce to the church where the priest can bless them. The harvest became more abundant as the years pass by. Consequently, the farmers started to display their harvest in front of their houses so the priest can easily bless them. The modern Pahiyas Festival now features cultural shows and contests, parades, trade fairs and exhibits.
  

Getting there

Lucban is a 3 to 4 hours drive from Manila via the Sta Cruz-Pagsajan route. During the Pahiyas Festival, the best way to explore the town is on-foot (you won’t have a choice because the streets where the procession will pass is closed to vehicles).

By car, take the South Luzon Expressway and take the Calamba Exit. Then pass the town of Calamba, Los Banos, Bay, Pila, Sta Cruz, Pagsanjan, Cavinit, Luisiana and thenn Lucban. If you are bringing a car, you have to park in designated parking areas away from the procession route.

By public transportation, ride a bus going to Sta Cruz at the Jam bus station in Cubao or at the Greenstar bus station in Buendia-Taft Ave.; get-off in Sta. Cruz (this is the last stop). The bus fare is P150 from Cubao. From Sta Cruz, ride a jeepney to Lucban (spotting one wouldn’t be difficult since jeepneys to Lucban abound here; there’s a terminal also in Pagsawitan). The jeepney fare is P38.

Do not go home without doing these

• Try the grilled kipping and pancit habhab
• Buy Lucban Longganisa
• Have your photo taken at the doorstep of the beautifully decorated houses 

Sidetrip

• Imelda Falls (Taytay Falls) in Majayjay, Laguna
• Kamay ni Hesus in Tayabas, Quezon