5.16.2015

Pahiyas Festival: Fascinated With The Sundry Colors



Every May 15th, Lucban in Quezon province celebrates it's harvest festival known as "Pahiyas" to honor San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of farmers. It is the townsfolk's way of being grateful for a bountiful harvest which has become popular due to the residents' unique manner of celebrating the occasion. The facades of their houses were adorned and were beautifully decorated with their own crops and crafts. Consequently, the colorful display of these houses, the famous food products they are proud of (like the Lucban longganiza), the procession held in the afternoon, the numerous bazaars and the maddening crowd made this altogether an enjoyable and a wonderful event.




I was dreaming to be a spectator of the community's creativity for the longest time. Yesterday, even before the sun rose, we were on our way to Lucban to witness this spectacular merriment. As a night owl, I thought it would be impossible for me to wake up that early but the excitement and enthusiasm to witness something I do not see everyday compelled me to be awake at the sound of my alarm clock!


We were lucky to have seen these houses quite early in the morning because the crowd grew thicker towards the afternoon. My brother also used my disability to park conveniently. Otherwise, the long walk would be quite tiring but definitely fun as you meet eager visitors on the streets. Similarly the weather was cool because it rained sporadically.




We later went near the grounds of the church and the many bazaars situated around it. People were everywhere too! It was impossible to linger longer because the place was cramped. We had an early lunch at Abcede to taste the town's delicacy - grilled longganiza with spicy vinegar. I prefer it cooked this way which is less oily and the meat toasted. I bought Lucban longganiza from the same place for pasalubong. I also got several boxes of broas and some pieces of pianono from Pavino's.




Helpful Tips
1. Travel early and be there early to avoid the crowd. This way, you can enjoy taking photos of the creatively adorned houses with their harvests.
2. Wear comfortable clothes and a good pair of shoes.
3. Bring an umbrella. The weather is always unpredictable.
4. Remember to try their longganiza you can get from Abcede and from Eker and Ely. Prices are 75/small and 150/big for 12 pieces.
5. Abcede Restaurant, Illustrado's and Buddy's are some of the go-to restaurants. Pavino's bakery have affordable yet mouth-watering pastries you can bring home.

18 comments :

  1. What a cool festival. I had never heard of it before, but it sounds like it's a festival that HAS to be experienced at least once in your life.

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  2. I've never been to a festival like this before! It sounds like a lot of fun and I just love how colorful the decorations are. It's definitely worth experiencing.

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  3. Sounds like a dream! I love festivals that are full of colors and life. This one's going to be unforgettable! Also, thanks for the tips that you shared!

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  4. Looks like a fun place to go. I love all the colors did so much for creative the route live. I think more people should be colorful like this!

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  5. What a fun and such a colorful festival. So much to look at and take in with your photos. Bet you had a fun time

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  6. WOW! What a vividly, colorful fest. I've never heard of the Pahiyas Festival. Looks like you and your brother had a wonderful time.

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  7. I love all the bright colors! It looks like a great place to visit.

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  8. Wow this looks beautiful. I LOVE all the bright colors, it lifts the spirit just looking at it.

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  9. The Pahiyas festival seems like so much fun! I love how bright and colorful it is. The Philippines always has some of the world's funnest celebrations!

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  10. Thank you so much for the tips. I plan on checking this place out!

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  11. I am really interested in this! I really love the art decor and colors of this place.

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  12. What a colorful festival! The houses are so pretty with all those decorations! It just goes to show how grateful the people are to their patron saint for a good harvest.

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  13. Looks like a fun festival... I love pastries and lonnganiza! Wish i could be there!

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  14. Oh wow! How beautiful and so colorful. I would adore a festival like this. The street scenes are amazing.

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  15. The Pahiyas festival seems to transform the town of Lucban into a riot of colours. It looks so beautiful. It is so nice to note that harvest festivals are celebrated across the world.

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  16. That's the kind of festival I miss seeing in Pinas. I love sunflower too I even love the seeds! Someday, we might be able to visit and see this.

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  17. I have never heard of this festival before, it seems like a lot of fun! There is so much color and life involved with this, what a great adventure!

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  18. I’ve never heard of this festival. I really love all the bright colors too.

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