Pahiyas Festival in Lucban, Quezon

I am a native of Quezon but it is my first time to see the Pahiyas Festival in Lucban, Quezon last May 15, 2011.

It is really wonderful and amazing to see those dazzling houses beautifully adorned with colorful rice wafers (kiping), handicrafts,  fresh fruits and vegetables from the farmer's harvest. Adorning their homes are the farmer's way of thanking their patron saint San Isidro Labrador (St. Isidore) and also to ensure that they will have a bountiful harvest ahead.

adorned house

We also have the chance to taste their famous pancit hab-hab . Its a sauteed noodles with pork meat, pork liver and shrimp and some vegetables. What makes this dish unique is the way it is eaten. It is placed on a banana leaf and eaten straight in your mouth without using any utensils.Pansit hab-hab is drizzled with vinegar to enhance its taste.

The streets are crowded with local and foreign tourist and are all delighted to see and take pictures of the adorned homes.

carabao pulling the karosa

The parade started at 3pm and the farmer's best friend, the carabao (water buffalo) also have its share of fame by pulling the karosa, the artistic float used in the parade. The karosa are also colorfully adorned and features the farmers harvest.