(Lucban, Quezon, Philippines) – Every 15th of May, the municipality of Lucban celebrates the Pahiyas Festival in honor of the patron saint of farmers, San Isidro Labrador. It is a day-long activity where houses of partici
pating streets decorate their facades with fruits, vegetables, handicrafts and kiping – a rice-made colorful ornament.
With the invitation of a friend who lives in Lucban, I filed a leave from work to experience fiesta like no other. I will let the pictures speak for themselves.
“Kiping means color frenzy. I have never seen this much variety of colors since I opened my first Crayola box”
“Having your photos taken by the balconies is a must if you go to Pahiyas.”
“Fruits and other colorful agriculture-related materials used as decorations.”
“The Pinoy bee finds its nitch in Lucban.”
“The height of houses is never a hindrance to Lucbanons to decorate in full swing.”
“Name all the vegetables you can see in this photo.”
“How about a reggae concert?”
“And dancing in the streets”
Roaming Lucban, checking out the beautiful houses, attending day concerts and dancing can be tiring so making a few snacks available in the streets makes absolute sense. Here are a few of those delectable food trips that I spotted while going around.
“More than a decoration, kiping can be fried and eaten. After all, it’s made of rice!”
“You cannot go to the province and not eat kakanin”
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“Cashew nuts”
“Of course Longganisang Lucban would make an appearance.”
“Kesong puti. I seldom see this in Manila being sold in the street.”
“Deliciously deadly chicharon.”
“Yeba! Yema!”
“Freshly picked and big bayabas”
“This is the best part of an indian mango.”
“Sugar, this and hot chocolate and I am on board. Suman FTW!”
“Tahoooooo! Cheap, yummy and healthy.”
“It’s like a carioca shaped like a pretzel. The locals called it pilipit.”
“Pasalubong”
“Bring a part of Lucban with you to decorate your own house with.”
“Do not leave Pahiyas without a few souvenirs for your friends and family back home. The Orange Soda stall gave the best designs of shirts, bag tags and fridge magnets. Check out their other products at www.orangesoda.com.ph or contact them at 09175536243 / 025774761”
Pahiyas Festival is a celebration that trumps all other fiesta celebrations that I have experienced so far in the Philippines. I have never seen such an overwhelming fusion of art, culture, merrymaking and food tripping in one day. Definitely worth checking out.