What To Do in Lucban, Quezon During Pahiyas Festival?

Pahiyas Festival is a colorful event held annually in Lucban, Quezon. This festival, held every 15th of May, is celebrated in honor of patron saint of farmers, San Isidro Labrador.

During this one day fiesta, houses are decorated with fruits, vegetables, agricultural products and handicrafts and to add color, townsfolk uses Kiping, a rice-made edible decoration. 

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS

Certain streets are designated as main route for the parade and procession and this route leads to San Luis Obispo Parish Church. All the houses along this route are decorated and you can take pictures or have your picture taken within the decorations. Some houses allow you to get to their balcony because their main decoration is there. 

You might be wondering how the festival organizers of the festival make the people decorate their houses with full effort. First, this is their way of giving thanks for a bountiful harvest and secondly, there is an annual contest wherein the best decorated house gets a prize. When I went last 2013, the owner of the best decorated house was able to get Php 100,000.

After the Holy Mass is held, the parade will follow shortly. The parade usually consist of the following (might differ every year):

• Marching Bands
• Street Dancers
• Mutya ng Lucban contestants (Parikitan) - The finalist of the beauty pageant wearing dresses made by Lucban designers.
• Carts decorated with Pansit Habhab (a local delicacy)
• Carabao Parade - Since this feast is celebrated in honor of San Isidro Labrador, farmers get to showcase the water buffalo that helps them in their farm.

• Higantes - This are giant figures made of paper mache. Sometimes you will see celebrities and characters representing local businesses.

SIDE TRIPS 

WHERE TO GO? (Other places or attractions nearby)

Kamay ni Jesus Shrine - Located 2.5 kilometers from the town proper, this 5 hectare shrine has a church and museum-like ground showcasing life-size statues of animals and the retreat house that resembles Noah's Ark. It's like they are retelling the story of Noah before the great flood.

One thing that you should not miss doing is climbing the almost 300 steps going to the hill where the 50 foot statue of the Risen Christ is located on top. Along the way are real life statues depicting the 14 Stations of the Cross. This is why Kamay ni Jesus is among top tourist destination during the Lenten season.

WHAT TO EAT? (Delicacies)

Your Lucban trip will never be complete without eating Pansit Habhab. It is a local delicacy of miki noodles served in a banana leaf and eaten without utensils. It's like eating a sandwich from the leaf without eating the leaf. You can add vinegar or calamansi to add taste. 

You can also try eating Kiping, a leaf shaped wafer made from rice paste. This can substitute for your chips for snacks.

If you are staying overnight always try Longganisang Lucban for breakfast. It's perfect with fried rice and egg with coffee or hot chocolate.

WHERE TO EAT?

• Buddy's Restaurant - One of Lucban's best but expect a lot of customer during the festival.
• Dealo Koffee Klatch - You can also buy your pasalubong here like Broas and Apas.
• Patio Rizal - Located opposite Buddy's and they have bigger space compared to Buddy's.
• Kamayan sa Palaisdaan - Although not located within the town of Lucban (it's a 15 minute drive from Lucban), this is one of the best restaurant within the area. You can eat on a cottage floating in a fishpen and they do have the good seafood menu. The only downside is that when you arrive at their peak hours which is during lunch time, expect to wait a long time for your order to be served.

HOW TO GET TO LUCBAN?

You may check my post here on how to get to Lucban for the Pahiyas Festival.

You may also check my other posts regarding the Pahiyas Festival from the links below:

My Colorful Experience at Pahiyas 2013

Pahiyas 2013 Parade (Part 1)

Pahiyas 2013 Parade (Part2)