All roads lead to Pahiyas!

San Isidro Labrador

   Pahiyas Festival is celebrated in Lucban, Quezon every 15th of May. It is a celebration in honor of San Isidro Labrador and as a thanksgiving for bountiful harvests. Houses along the Pahiyas route (which changes every year) are decorated with different fruits and vegetables and sometimes animals! Houses are also decorated with "kiping" which is made from rice. They look like leaves and yes it is edible but be sure to roast or fry it first.

Mom posing for the camera

   This is my 2nd time going to Pahiyas Festival and I should say I always enjoy going to Lucban, Quezon probably due to scenic roads while going there, the people I see in the streets of Lucban and their local food like Pansit Habhab and Lucban Longanisa. 

Go to the upper floors of some houses then pose!

   We arrived in Lucban, Quezon at around 8:00 AM. After parking our car we walked along the Pahiyas route for few hours. Along the route various local food are sold, so be sure to try their food. After hours of walking we had lunch at the jam-packed Buddy's, good thing they have number system not only for their food but also for their seats. We bought pasalubong from Pavino's bakery then rested inside the Church while we wait for the Grand Parade that started at around 2:30 PM. We waited for the parade then went home after a day of walking

Don't forget to buy broas and other baked goodies
from Pavino's Bakery located across the plaza 

   All we did in Pahiyas Festival is walk, so be sure to be in your comfortable clothes and shoes. My parents also took a lot of photos so after lunch, all our cameras are dead. 

Busy street of Lucban

   Pahiyas Festival is also a good opportunity for photographers to have a photo walk along the route of the festival. This is probably the biggest and most popular festival in the Region (IV-A). Its accessibility makes this festival a quick getaway for those working and living around the metro and its nearby provinces.

 

Cowboy showing off his skills during the parade

Going to Lucban, Quezon

By Private Vehicle - when bringing a private vehicle its better to park in the outskirts of the town then walk or take a tricycle going to the town proper.

There are three routes going to Lucban from Manila but probably the shortest route (for us) is via San Pablo City, Rizal, Nagcarlan, Liliw, Majayjay then Lucban. (we always use this route)

*A road from Calauan to Nagcarlan is also available which can shorten this route but its not visible on Google map.

You may opt to choose the road via Santa Cruz and Pagsanjan (scenic route and side trip to the other towns of Laguna) or via Lucena City (driving to Lucena is a bit tough since buses and trucks going to Bicol will also pass thru this route and other Quezon town have their own version of Pahiyas)

*Road via Rizal passing thru the towns of Tanay, Siniloan, Pangil, Pakil and Lumban is also possible but I'm familiar with the towns of Rizal.

By Public Transport

Via Sta Cruz 

From Buendia Hop on a Green Star Bus the alight at Sta Cruz terminal then ride a jeep going to Lucban

Via Lucena City

From Cubao/Buendia/Alabang : Hop on a bus with Lucena City Signboard, then alight at Lucena City Grand Terminal. Then ride a jeep going to Lucban.