Trip Ko Lang

Once again, a great number of tourists headed to Lucban, Quezon in celebration of the most colorful festival, Pahiyas. Pahiyas Festival is celebrated every 15th of May in honor of the patron saint of farmers, San Isidro Labrador. People show their gratitude for a bountiful harvest by displaying their harvested crops – fruits, vegetables, decorating their houses with kipings (colorful rice wafers), and other handicrafts. This 2010, we were lucky to be there and experience this most awaited and most visited Pahiyas Festival.

Pahiyas Festival 1

We stayed in Lucena City, woke up early, had to ride 2 jeepneys going to Lucban, Quezon (travel time = about 2 hours). When we reached Lucban, roads were closed due to traffic and so we had to walk to get in the main area of Pahiyas. It is a must to wear hats to protect you from the sun and almost everyone you’ll see is wearing one.

Pahiyas Festival 2

We right away started walking thru the different streets and houses, there were quite many and I don’t think we were able to see them all. Each house has its own artistic and creative decorations, amazingly interesting to look at and to take pictures.

Palusot

Houses were decorated with fruits, vegetables, other handicrafts and kiping (the colorful edible rice wafers). Lucban, Quezon residents were all creative and resourceful in decorating their homes, best houses were acknowledged and won different cash prizes.

Kiping Lantern

Vegetables as decoration

Fruits as decoration

Kiping as Rose Buds

Things to consider in going to the Pahiyas Festival:

- Wear comfortable clothes and shoes;
- Bring extra shirt and towel;
- Wear sunblock, shades and hats;
- Bring water;
- Bring your cameras;
- Pose, Smile and Enjoy everything you see!

Decorated house at Pahiyas

One can also go food tripping in Lucban, Quezon; different street foods and popular delicacies are being sold on the streets. Pancit habhab can be bought on side street stalls, wrapped in banana leaf and eaten using only your mouth. Juices and other cold drinks are also available to refresh you. Other street foods present were cotton candy, nuts, corn, hotdog on stick, ice cream and a lot more!

Decorated Pancit Habhab cart

Kipings (colored rice wafer) used for house decoration were also sold per pack. You can bring it home and use as decoration but needs to be handled with care because it can easily be broken.

Kiping for Sale

Kiping as decors are edible and so they also sell this as something to eat in an instant. Kiping bits were fried and sugar added to give some sweet taste while you eat it. It tasted like air, nothing special; we bought some just to experience eating Kiping. Hehe.

Kiping bits for munching

Bayongs are also a product of Quezon and the famous Noknok bayongs; Noknok is also the artist’s name of Erick Dator, the man behind those artistically designed bayongs. These are sold for only 50php in one of the houses.

Nok Nok "bayong" for Sale

Pahiyas Festival is a must-visit fiesta here in the Philippines, a one-day event that is very interesting, fun and fulfilling.

Group pic at Pahiyas

Pahiyas Festival 2010

Beach. Sun. Swim. Massage. A perfect summer getaway from your busy day at work, tight deadlines, and crazy boss…

My best friend and I headed to Puerto Galera on a 6am bus trip going to Batangas Pier (175php fare), rode a Ceres Bus (new and spacious) from Araneta Cubao terminal which we later realized we should have waited for the bus trip via Calbarzon which has shorter and faster route. Total bus travel time =  3 hours.

In Batangas Pier, we bought our boat tickets at Gallerian Lines; 450php for a 2-way ride, one-way ride is 250php per person. We also paid for an Environmental fee of 50php/person and Insurance of 30php/person. We also booked our room from there, 1,500php for an overnight stay for 2 at White Beach Resort, standard room with aircon and bathroom. If you are interested you may check their site at www.whitebeachhotel.com or call 0917-8980393 (Joy) and 0910-3548330.

Puerto Galera

Here are some highlights of our stay in Puerto Galera:

- waited for almost an hour before our boat ride started, we dislike Gallerian, boat from Batangas Pier doesn’t follow their schedule

- White Beach Resort booth in Batangas Pier offered their room just near the beach and with hot/cold shower but when we got to their place, they gave us a room on the 3rd floor and with cold shower only… we felt we were tricked, didn’t expect to have problems with their room when we arrived, already paid and so we just accepted whatever room they offered.

Scramble at Puerto Galera

- went to Galera to eat Scramble, yum yum, you can look for this mini booth in the middle part of the beach, not the vendor in cart, they have really yummy Scramble, loved their powdered milk, mini marshmallows, chocolate syrup and mini sago… refreshing!

- we had henna tattoos at 100php each for a regular sized tattoo, artists were all good!

Henna Tattoo

- we ate and loved Buena Lynne’s fried eggplant with tomatoes, onions and bagoong at 25php only. Enjoyed our tipid dinner by the beach…Sarap!

- had a full back massage at 100php only. Very cheap and really worth it!

- had Puerto Galera’s signature drink called Mindoro Sling at Tia Maria’s at 99php per glass. But if you are in a big group you can have it in pitcher, prices differ in bars, ranges from 150php to 300php.

Puerto Galera 2

- enjoyed swimming in clear and clean water but sometimes a bit itchy; a feeling that something bit you underwater, it was tolerable and just ignore it so you can really enjoy… Hehe.

- had real fun under the sun and enjoyed our food trip.

- went back to Batangas Pier at 1230nn, boat was now on time but travel time was longer, boat ride took us almost most 1 hour and 30 mins. Hot weather and tiring!

- rode again a Ceres Bus (we love this bus), trip is now via Calbarzon, bus ride going home lasted for about 2 hours.

An unexpected trip to the beach which turned out to be a great summer getaway and really helped us relaxed and simply enjoy the heat!