PHILIPPINES: Pahiyas Festival 2015

It is indeed a long over due blog. Nevertheless, I want to share the most colorful festival we experienced!

My college friends and I drove all the way from Manila to experience the vibrant and lively festival in Lucban, Quezon. We planned for just an overnight stay since we were on a tight budget and primarily wanted to attend and immerse ourselves in the festivities.

Here I am saying hi, even though I can’t look at the camera because I’m too focused! I’m carrying three lives, including my own! HAHA!

Believe me, it was the most butt-aching four-hour drive of my life. Thankfully, thanks to Waze, we didn’t get lost. I’m the kind of driver who struggles with directions, so relying on Waze was definitely the right choice. We arrived safely, too! I was with my college friends, Iris and Mary (who got engaged this year in 2016—congratulations, Mary!).

We booked our hotel a month before arriving and stayed at First Quezon Premier Hotel in Lucena, Quezon. We originally intended to stay in Lucban, but every hotel and inn was already fully booked. I recommend booking a room two to three months in advance!

It was a long drive and indeed we were hungry. Thank you so much, Anciel and Boji for the treat. That was a great time with you guys! See you in Manila soon.

TO LUCBAN, QUEZON

Taking an extra nap while waiting for the rain to stop

We woke up bright and early at 4 AM and left the hotel by 5 AM. The drive from the hotel to Lucban took about 20 to 30 minutes. Since we arrived early, finding parking wasn’t difficult at all—we simply parked in front of someone’s house.

Reminder: Don’t forget where you parked your car! Take a picture of it and note the street where you left it.

THE PAHIYAS FESTIVAL

One of the country’s biggest, and most colorful harvest festival every May 15th, along with the harvest festivals of the towns of Tayabas, Sariaya, Gumaca and Tiaong. These are the Philippines best known harvest festivals to honor San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of farmers. Known as the “Pahiyas”, the festival is deeply rooted in the traditional celebration of the townsfolk in thanksgiving for bounty harvest. Decorations called “Kiping”, leaf-shaped and multi-colored rice paste wafers which are used to decorate the facades of the homes along with fruits and flowers from nature. - www.tourism.gov.ph

PANSIT

HAB-HAB, LONGGANISA, AND YEMA CAKE! YUM!

This pancit earned its moniker from the way that it’s eaten. “Habhab” is the term that Lucban inhabitants use to refer to the practice of placing their famed pancit (made of miki noodles sautéed with pork meat, liver, shrimp, and vegetables as well as a dash of cane vinegar) on a banana leaf, and then maneuvering the leaf to dump the pancit straight into one’s mouth.

Source: http://www.pepper.ph/the-history-of-pancit/

No need for utensils, just eat it straight from the banana leaf!

The delicious....boy? NO! The Yema Cake, of course!

Grab your favorite longganisa at abcede's Lucban longganisa! Best paired with sinangag and fried egg!

QUICK TRIP TO KAMAY NI HESUS

Kamay ni Hesus is on the way back to Lucena, so why not stop by? It’s a great opportunity to climb up to the cross, give thanks for all the blessings, and pray for a safe trip back to Manila.

LATE LUCH AT KAMAYAN SA PALAISDAAN