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| 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.
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| 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.
