The heavy downpour in Lucban, Quezon did not stop tourists and locals from celebrating the much-awaited Pahiyas Festival 2022, two years after it was halted due to the pandemic.
Houses along Lucban town proper were adorned with colorful kiping, welcoming onlookers to take pictures and appreciate their grand beauty. A kiping is a traditional Filipino leaf-shaped wafer made from glutinous rice and is mostly used as decor.
Aside from kiping, houses are also decorated with a myriad of fruits and vegetables to honor the town’s patron saint San Isidro Labrador, whose feast day falls on the same day, May 15. Locals give thanks to San Isidro Labrador for their abundant harvests year-round. Neighboring towns like Sariaya and Tayabas also have celebrations honoring San Isidro Labrador with Agawan Festival and Mayohan sa Tayabas Festival, respectively.
Even amid the erratic weather, tourists continue flocking the streets to revel in beautiful Pahiyas houses and enjoy the activities in the town plaza.
Going around the procession route, one would easily get enticed to munch on a few Lucban longganisa on stick or taste Pancit Habhab sold on almost every corner.
According to the Department of Tourism – CALABARZON Officer-in-Charge Maritess Castro, over 100,000 tourists were recorded during the one-day Pahiyas Festival 2022. Only a half portion of what was recorded in 2019 was 200,000 visitors. The number of participants who decorated their houses also recorded half of what was listed before the pandemic.
Still, the DOT and the local tourism office are optimistic that the festival will kick off Lucban’s tourism recovery.
Farm destinations and food experiences in Pahiyas Festival 2022
You have a lot more to do at Pahiyas Festival aside from roaming around the town proper. There are many farm destinations you can visit during the day—or even stay for a night—bringing you closer to nature and giving you that much-needed break.
Bukid Amara
Spend a day trip at Bukid Amara, a stunning flower and vegetable farm nestled at the foot of Mt. Banahaw. Colorful seasonal blooms make Bukid Amara a favorite place for locals and tourists for an aesthetic background for their photoshoots.
When done with photoshoots, you can spend siesta at the Bahay Kubo or drink coffee at the café.
Linang ni LK
Enjoy sumptuous farm-style meals at Linang ni LK while being surrounded by nature. Celebrity chef Francis Christian Ocoma has curated a menu that introduces the Quezon Province much-loved dishes sourced within the area.
Staying at Linang ni LK also gives you an authentic farm experience. Rent a farmhouse for your whole family or pitch tents with your friends and enjoy a night of breeze and fun.
In the morning, you will be greeted by a stunning view of Mt. Banahaw while sipping a freshly brewed rice coffee cup at Linang Café.
Take home buys
Going home from Pahiyas Festival also means bringing many fun memories.
Take a piece of Lucban with you and buy trademark pasalubongs for your family and friends.
Make sure to drop by stores selling authentic Lucban Longganisa that are perfect for your breakfast meals. You can also check out broas, or lady fingers, a sweet and crunchy sponge cake biscuit popular in town.
The emerging destinations and good food are just enough reasons to come back to Lucban again for yet another fun experience only Pahiyas Festival can bring.
