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