2012 Pahiyas Festival, Lucban Quezon: As Experienced

Pahiyas Festival is a colorful feast which is being held every 15th of May in Lucban, Quezon, a thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest in honor of San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of farmers.

During this festival, houses along the streets of Lucban are decorated with ‘kiping’ (colorful leaf-shaped rice wafer) and assorted agricultural produce. 

This year, my colleagues and I went to Lucban, Quezon to experience this colourful festival. We left Quezon City at 3 A.M. of May 15. Past 7 A.M, we had breakfast at Tayabas then another hour and a half we reached Lucban. Since this year the festival fell on a weekday, there were lesser tourists so we were able to go past the arc (designated parking) and park near the church.

We went to the church, did some shopping then went around to see the decorated houses. Because it was still early and it’s drizzling, there were only few decorated houses. The streets, however, were narrowed by vendors. Lucban products are all around : Lucban longganisa, apas, broas, buri hats, slippers, fans and a lot more. Despite the mizzle, we managed to take pictures.

Lucban longganisa

We then learned that the parade schedule starts 3 P.M so we decided to do the side trip to Laguna and just go back to Lucban after lunch.

Laguna Side Trip

First stop? We were suppose to visit the falls in Majayjay but it was scorching hot and we didn’t feel like doing some more walking so we went straight to Nagcarlan. We went to the Underground Cemetery, briefed and stayed there for a while to take pictures.

Then we went to Liliw to do some shoe shopping. We reached the place lunchtime so we ate first. Ironic that in a tourist destination like Liliw, there were only few establishments to eat. The first resto we entered was nice and cozy but then they haven’t started cooking yet and we have to wait for half an hour for them to prepare our food. Since time is running out for us and we have to be back in Lucban by 3 P.M., we settled with a chicken platter and sisig offered in the nearest eatery.

After lunch, we went shopping. I liked the shoe colors. The designs were okay. After checking all the stores, I finally bought one loud-colored doll shoes.**ahlabhet**

Tired and sweaty from the window shopping, we we’re all asleep on the way to Lucban. Thanks to Manong Ben, our driver, for bringing us to Lucban safely and earlier than expected.

Back in Lucban

While waiting for the parade, I and Cath (my photo buddy) went around despite the searing afternoon and the streets getting crowded. First, I bought a buri hot (for pictorial purposes, heheh) and of course, to protect me from the cancerous heat of the sun. When all set, we went from house to house, click here and there. We tried the pancit habhab (forkless for photo’s sake) and eventually finished it with a fork.:-)

Kiping

Fried kiping

The proper way of eating pancit habhab

We visited the decorated houses, more this time and the colors, definitely “WOWWWW!!!”. Everything 's pleasing to the eye. The Lucbanian’s artistry is really something to admire.

We got the chance to enter one of the houses and take pics from the 2nd level. That was fun. The locals were accommodating. Just be polite and ask.

After pasalubong buying, I opted to wait in the van while my companions went on their way to explore the colorful Lucban.

We watched the parade but was not able to finish it for we have we have one last stop before going home, Kamay ni Hesus.

Kamay Ni Hesus

TWO-HUNDRED AND NINETY SIX steps (as per Tonie’s counting, the youngest in our group). I’ve reached the top and it really feels different up there. The place is a very good venue to meditate.

HOME SWEET HOME.

 **ishallreteturn**

Ugo Bigyan Potter's Garden, Tiaong Quezon: Lunch cum Photo Shoot

After a very long and what seems to be an endless trip from Manila to Sariaya then going round Tiaong,Quezon, we dropped by Ugo Bigyan Potter’s Garden (UBPG) to grab something for lunch. 

The very first thing I noticed when we set foot in UBPG is the red clay house— it’s like going through a warp and off to another timezone—the Spanish era. 

The red clay house...

...and me!

UBPG showcases pottery artwork and clayware and also offers delectable dishes. It is one of the stops of the famed Viaje del Sol.

Scouring the area, I saw fine pottery arts and crafts—not only in the shop but all over the place. Admiring everything, I asked my colleague to take pictures. The supposed to be simple lunch turned into a photo session—my session…lol! Thanks to my ever-patient colleague, I was able to pose in every corner of the UBPG. 

One of Ugo's collections

Dining area

Leaf-shaped pathway

The shop

While waiting for our lunch and while busy with the ‘pictorial’, Augusto “Ugo” Bigyan, the owner and the master potter himself, came and welcomed our group. The genial host didn’t mind having picture with us and us taking photos of his works. 

With Mr. Ugo Bigyan

Brief backgrounder. Ugo Bigyan is a celebrated pottery artist from Tiaong, Quezon, whose artistry is combined with functionality especially with his ceramic pieces. He is also a known cook and he personally cooks for his guests.

Came lunch time. I loved everything that was served. We had halaan (clam) soup for starter. I also loved the fern salad—the faint tanginess plus the sweetness of green apple plus the crunch= I liked it! (Note: I am a 'not-so-veggie salad eater') For the main course, we had kulawo (smoky flavored puso ng saging), calamares, sauteed shrimps, barbecued spareribs and fried lapulapu with mango relish which was my instant favorite. Cold buko juice was also served.

Lapulapu with mango relish

Baby back ribs 

Ensaladang pako

Enjoying my food :-)

How to get there:

From Manila, head towards the end of South Express Way and take the second to the last exit going to Batangas. Take the road going to bicol heading towards Tiaong, Quezon. This is about 90-120 minutes drive. After San Pablo, Laguna, you will arrive in Tiaong, Quezon. Drive past the Tiaong public market and watch for the Tiaong Elementary School. Five minutes from the school, watch for a sign pointing to Lusacan National high school, to your left. Turn left on the road near the sign. Follow the road and turn left on Alvarez Village. The house is the red clay house to your left.

Reservations for lunch must be made with a minimum of 5 persons.

Ugu Bigyan: Potter's Garden
490 Alvarez Village , Brgy Lusacan, Tiaong, Quezon
Call + 63 (42) 545-9144

(Source: http://viajedelsol.org/destinations-ugubigyan.html)