Pahiyas Festival - Lucban, Quezon

Photo source Bibliosensei

Every year on May 15 the small town of Lucban located in the Quezon Province about 120 km S.E. of Manila celebrates the Pahiyas Festival. It honours the patron saint of farmers, St Isidore the Labourer and welcomes in a bountiful harvest. The town of Lucban is ablaze with color and activities for the annual Pahiyas Festival. The festival is a photographer's dream and wonderful spectacle to observe for those lucky enough to be able to attend the celebration.

On entering Lucban one of the first things you will notice is the brightly colored Kipings frequently hanged in chandelier like forms called Arangya. You will also see them shaped like flowers and used as decorative wallpapers. Kipings are a wafer made from rice paste and colored with food coloring before being fashioned into decorations for the festival. The Kipings are edible and when the celebration is over the can be grilled or fried. Many will be tossed to the people attending providing them with a special treat for their taste buds.

Vincent John

Besides the Kipings, homes are decorated with fruits, vegetables, grains, paper-mache, and palm hats. Many families will display their harvest as well for the parish priests to bless when he passes their home. There is also a contest where the home is viewed and the best decorated is declared the winner. Besides the beautifully decorated homes there are civic parades, processions, a trade fair and other activities to enjoy. You might want to try some of the delicacies available at the Pahiyas Festival like, Lucban Longganisa, Puto Seko, Pancit Hab-hab and Fried Siopaol.

Finally, it would not be fair not to mention the people of Lucban. They are warm and friendly and will and provide the icing on the cake to a wonderful celebration and visit to the Pahiyas Festival in Lucban.

Pahiyas Festival 

Pahiyas Festival 2012 

Kiping the faith at the Pahiyas Festival in Lucban, Philippines

Kadaugan sa Mactan 2013

It's that time of year again Lapu Lapu City, Cebu. The annual celebration of the battle of Mactan (Kadaugan sa Mactan) will be celebrated in April. The centerpiece of the week longs celebration is the Kadaugan Street Party. The Kadaugan Street Party and the Rampada will take place along the M.L. Quezon Highway and on the grounds of the Lapu Lapu City Hall on April 26 and 27 from 5 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.

The Kadaugan sa Mactan is the annual celebration and reenactment of the Battle of Mactan where Ferdinand Magellan was killed in a battle with Mactan Chieftain Lapu-lapu. Ferdinand Magellan is historically credited with being the first man to sail around the world. The unfortunate truth was that he did not make it. The remainder of his crew would go on to complete the journey, hence Ferdinand Magellan was given credit for it.

The location of the Battle of Mactan is now an historic landmark and monuments commemorating both Chieftain Lapu-lapu and Ferdinand Magellan can be found at the site. The park area commemorating the battle is a beautiful place and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Cebu. A must see if you're visiting Cebu.

The Kadaugan Street Party is one of the most anticipated events of the year in Lapu Lapu City. There will be plenty of food and drinks available as well as live music, carnival, fireworks show and much more. Including some surprises according to City Councilor Harry Don Radaza. The Rampada and for the first time the Higante competition will highlight the evenings activities. I do not want to leave out this gem from the celebration. The midnight Beer Run. Run, walk or crawl to the finish line. Cold beer is waiting.

This will be the third year of the Kadaugan Street Party and it has gotten bigger and better every year. I am sure that tradition will continue. This is one street party that will not disappoint.

kadaugan sa mactan 2012!

RAMPADA 2012 [ BUAYA ] 

Puerto Princesa Underground River National Park

Located about 360 miles southwest of Manila, The Philippines capital. The Puerto Princesa Underground River is the world’s longest  navigable  underground river in the world and on January 28,2012 the site was officially named as one of The New 7 Wonders of Nature. The river is located in the St. Paul's Subterranean River National Park. The Park is a spectacular sight with its limestone mountain landscapes, white sand beaches and abundant wild life. The main attraction is the 8.2 kilometer underground river that flows to the China Sea.

Travelers can go by boat to the underground rivers entrance and along the way they take in the spectacular scenery that is Palawan. On arriving in a beautiful lagoon surrounded by ancient forest, monkeys, large lizards and a variety of exotic birds  they will board a Banca that will take them directly in to the cave for the journey down river. The Banca will have a kerosene lamp on board and visitors can enjoy the scenery some of which consist of Stalagmites and stalactites which are formed in various shapes throughout the caves. There are various cave rooms along the way including one that is  300 meters high as is one of the largest in the world. The fun does not end with river trek. Visitors are welcome do some bird watching, hiking in the mountains, and if you are the adventurous type you can go exploring the deeper parts of the forest.

Plenty of comfortable accommodations can be found nearby in Palawan city in Puerto. The hotels offer plenty of comforts and modern conveniences including internet services at reasonable rates. New roads make getting around much easier and faster than in the past. If you would like to see nature at its finest and have a vacation that offers you a chance to see some of the rarest wildlife and natural features in the world the you can go wrong with a trip to Palawan and the Puerto Princesa Underground River National Park

PPUR - La Venta Discovery (Puerto Princesa Underground River) 

Coron, Palawan: Paradise! - It's more fun in the Philippines