More Color, More Fun in Lucban, Quezon, Pahiyas Festival 2013

Hordes of people will flock to Lucban to witness the annual farmer's Pahiyas festival on May 15, 2013. Considered as one of the most awaited festivals in the country, in honor of the patron saint of farmers, San Isidro Labrador.
 

 It showcases the town's abundant harvest with a grand display of fruits, vegetables and handicrafts adorning every house participating in the festival. Houses will also be designed with rice wafers "kiping" which gives more flambouyance to the festival.

Kiping is actually a leaf-shaped decoration made up of rice and dyed with bright colors. The harvest is showcased in front of every house in such a way that the priest could bless them during the procession. Each house try to outdo each others decorations for the annual competition and "kiping" is given to everyone after the winner has been announced. So make sure to bring your camera to capture this very colorful moment in Lucban.

For sure you'll get hungry... famished to be exact. Well,  this trip won't be complete without getting a dose of Lucban's Pancit Hab-hab (sauteed noodles with pork, Chinese cabbage/Bok Choy and chayote) and they normally would add vinegar to enhance the taste. I prefer either way. Nothing's weird for a hungry traveller.

Vendors also dress up for the festival. And this one's a treat, pancit habhab on wheels!

This aint going to be a complete Pancit Hab Hab experience if you won't have it on a banana leaf.

Almost forgot! Longganisang Lucban! It is pork sausage which is also very famous in Lucban. Bring home some for your pasalubong. 

It may not look that fancy but wait till you have it on your plate... tastiest longganisa ever!

Mouthwatering... Juicy... Meaty... Sausages!!!

How to get there: Super Easy!

Public Transport:

From Manila, take a Lucena bound bus. There are buses that has daily trips to Lucena City, plying the following routes: Buendia-Taft, Pasay-EDSA, EDSA-Kamuning in Quezon City, and Araneta Center in Cubao. Upon reaching Lucena Grand Central Terminal, take a Lucban bound jeepney or mini bus. It’s just around 45 minute ride from the grand terminal.

 

Jam Liner: Lucena bound

Lucena Grand Central Terminal

By Car/Private vehicle:

Take the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and take the Calamba exit. Take the Sta. Cruz-Pagsanjan route in Laguna. It is the first town in Quezon if you take this route.

Approximate travel time is 3 hours and 45 mins... Just make it a total of 4 hours max (considering traffic and stops)


Here's my Itinerary: May 15, 2013

3:00 am - 3:59 am Wake up, Prepare stuff for the trip, Head to Buendia Bus Terminal (Jac Liner) 
4:00 am Departure from Manila (travel time is about 3 hours 45 mins)
7:30 am - 7:45 am ETA Lucban
7:45 am - 8:30 am Breakfast - A la Carte (Kamay ni Hesus)
8:30 am - 9:30 am Tour/Sightseeing at Kamay ni Hesus Healing Church
9:30 am - 11:30 am Tour/Sightseeing of the Pahiyas, shopping, free time
11:30 am - 1:30 pm Lunch - Rest
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Pahiyas Festival Grand Parade
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm Last minute shopping/pasalubong
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm Dinner
7:30 pm Departure to Manila
11:00 pm ETA Manila

Hope to see you guys there! :)