Smart Backpacker: Pahiyas Festival 2013

The Philippines is blessed not only with thousands of islands and white sand beaches but also with colorful and a variety of festivals. I have always wanted to visit and experience festivals in the Philippines and last May 15, 2013, I was able to see the Pahiyas Festival in Lucban, Quezon.

The annual colorful festival is in honor of the patron saint of farmers - St. Isidore the Laborer (San Isidro Labrador) and serves as a thanksgiving for the bountiful harvest of the town. San Isidro is a Spanish laborer known for his piety towards the poor and animals.

He is the Catholic patron saint of farmers and his feast day is celebrated on May 15.

How to get there

There are plenty of buses going to Lucena or Bicol. The terminals of the buses can be found either in Alabang, Buendia-Taft or Cubao. Once you reach the Lucena Grand Terminal, ride a jeep to Lucban.

Second option is to go to Sta. Cruz, Laguna. Once you reach Sta. Cruz, travel by jeep to Lucena and then another jeep to Lucban.

Third option is to go to Sta. Cruz, Laguna. Then, travel by jeep to Majayjay and then another jeep to Lucban, Quezon.

But last May 15, 2013, I opted to use my motorbike and traveled in Laguna. I started from Tanauan City, Batangas, then Sto. Tomas, then passed Alaminos, cruised in San Pablo City, then Rizal, zigzagged the trail in Liliw, Nagcarlan and Majayay, and finally in 1.5 hours I reached Lucban, Quezon.

Reaching Lucban, I was amazed and surprised after seeing the the houses adorned with colorful decorations, vegetables, fruits, handicrafts and even live stocks!

There were hundreds of tourists and photographers from all over the world and from all walks of life participating and enjoying in this annual activity.

There were plenty of activities lined up for that day such as:

- Early morning mass at San Isidro Labrador Church

- Art and Photo Exhibit at the Plaza

- Grand Parade of carabaos, floats and street dancers

- Pahiyas house designs and decors

- Best lights design during the evening

- Fireworks display and band performance

I enjoyed and marveled about so many things at the Pahiyas festival. The first thing that I like about the festival was the colorful and well-adorned houses.