Report from Sarita Kare
ABS-CBN News Southern Tagalog
abs-cbnNEWS.com
QUEZON, Philippines – Thousands of tourists flocked to Lucban, Quezon Sunday to attend the Pahiyas festival and participate in the grand parade.
The parade, considered as the highlight of the 2-month long festival, featured colorful floats adorned with a variety of organic products.
The floats made their way across town, passing by similarly colorfully-designed houses.
The houses were decorated with fruits and vegetables to offer gratitude to Saint San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of farmers.
The annual festival is frequented by foreigners and visitors from nearby provinces to appreciate the hard work and creativity put in by Lucban residents.
“Iba ‘yung pakiramdam na na-a-appreciate ng turista e,” said Christian Villaverde, owner of one of the homes in Lucban. It has been a tradition in the Villaverde family to gather every year to help design their home.
This year, the Villaverde household adopted the history of Lucban as its main theme. Lucban was named after a tree by 3 hunters who saw a couple of kingfishers, believed to be a sign of good luck.
The Pahiyas festival also features some of Lucban’s prized treats, such as pancit “habhab” and “kiping,” a leaf-shaped wafer made from uncooked rice.
“Ang Lucban ay isa sa may pinakamaraming produktong dinadala sa Maynila,” said Lucban Mayor Moises Villasenor. -
- Report from Sarita Kare, ABS-CBN News Southern Tagalog
