Pahiyas Festival 2015

Pahiyas Festival 2015 in Lucban, Quezon, Philippines

Pahiyas Festival is an ancient celebration dating back to the 16th century. Legends have it that San Isidro Labrador magically plowed the field every time he went out of the church. This story was passed on by the Spaniards to the Filipinos during the colonial period. The word “pahiyas” means “precious offering” as connoted by the root word “hiyas” which means “jewel”. Since then, the people of Lucban and nearby towns and provinces excitedly await the summer month of May when Pahiyas Festival is held.

San Isidro Labrador Pahiyas Festival 2015

Lucban is a quiet and classic Tagalog farming town sitting on the foothills of the sacred Mount Banahaw.

The Pahiyas Festival's name came from the Filipino words “hiyas,” which means jewel and “pahiyas,” which means both precious offering and decor. The festival is an old farmers' harvest celebration, which started in the 16th century. It is held in honor of San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of farmers, peasants and laborers. One of the country’s biggest, and most colorful harvest festival every May 15th, along with the harvest festivals of the towns of Tayabas, Sariaya, Gumaca and Tiaong. Decorations called “Kiping”, leaf-shaped and multi-colored rice paste wafers which are used to decorate the facades of the homes along with fruits and flowers from nature. The visual and culinary feast has gained national and international recognition.

location: lucban quezon
photos: ogie cudanin