Pahiyas Festival 2011

MANILA, Philippines — The Pahiyas Festival is one of the most popular, colorful, and lavish events in the Philippines. Held annually in the farming town of Lucban, Quezon, it is the local folks’ gesture of thanksgiving for a rich and bountiful harvest. Lucban is located on the foothills of Mount Banahaw. The festival, whose name is derived from “hiyas,” started as the local farmers’ celebration of harvest in honor of San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of farmers, peasants, and laborers. It began as a simple offering to the “anito” (pagan god) to invoke a bountiful harvest. The farmers and their families would gather their crops inside the small worship place where they would celebrate with food and a local drink derived from coconut. Over a century later, the local folks, incorporating their Christian faith into local practices, brought their finest crops to a much bigger church where the priest would bless and offer the crops in thanksgiving.Manila Bulletin

The festival start may 14-16 yearly. We drive all the way from Manila to Lucban where Pahiyas is held. I gathered some information through my trusted buddy google:)that there are 4 routes for Pahiyas, which means, only once in every 4 years a household would prepare for such extravagant fiesta.

No wonder that from the moment I reach the first block of the town my eyes are blinded with the burst of wonderful color, the houses are amazingly decorated which showcase Filipino talents and the best of all, the town people are so accommodating that you can enter their houses and delight in their company and food.

 

 

Writing about you and with the wonderful pictures to share is my only way of saying thank you!

The experience was truly colorful that I have to post another entry :) the wonderful hotel, food and resto:)

~ Life is a festival only to the wise. ~

RW Emerson

Life is good!

  Photography by me, Christine and Ray