Pahiyas: A Harvest Feast

Travel Date: May 15, 2013


Pahiyas


     Last year, my wish to watch the famous Pahiyas Festival finally happened in an instant decision.  No itinerary or preparation, we drove all the way to Lucban, Quezon with just a map and cameras.

     The Pahiyas Festival is held every 15th of May, where the people of Lucban celebrate good harvest in honor of San Isidro de Labrador.  At the town proper, the houses are creatively decorated with fruits, vegetables, rice stalks, and leaves to symbolize prosperity of their agriculture.

     During the festival and procession, we walked all around the town center to watch the parade and see the houses boasting their designs.  The parade includes carabaos decorated with vegetables and fruits, higantes, cowboys on their horses, and ladies dressed in indigenous materials designed by local designers.  We got hungry from walking, so we ate pancit habhab, one of the most popular dishes of Lucban, served on banana leaf.  There was no spoon and fork, so you’ll have to eat it straight from banana leaf.  We also tried their kiping, colourful leaf-shaped wafer made of ground rice. 

     Pahiyas Festival is truly one of a kind.  And if ever you haven’t experienced it yet, you better plan your trip on May to watch it, since it’s an annual event. 



Pahiyas


Pahiyas


Pahiyas



Location: Lucban, Quezon, Philippines

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