Held annually on May 15 in Lucban, Quezon, the Pahiyas Festival isn’t just a celebration—it's a vibrant town transformation! You’ll see arches and houses decorated in colorful leaf-shaped rice wafers, fruits, and vegetables. It’s a visual feast that shouldn’t be missed. If you’re attending this festivity for the first time, refer to this guide to help you make the most of your experience.

The Pahiyas Festival has roots in the 16th century when Lucban farmers would thank San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of farmers, with offerings for a bountiful harvest. They would offer their produce inside the church for the parish priest to bless. Over time, this practice evolved into the lively event Lucbanins now call the San Isidro Pahiyas Festival.

Prepare to be welcomed by a fantastic kaleidoscope of colors!

As soon as you enter Lucban, you'll see beautifully crafted arches, each one an entry to the Arko-Rikit Pahiyas competition. This year, preparations for the competition run from April 28 to 30. Then, the Arko-Rikit Pahiyas Judging and Awards Ceremony is scheduled for May 1 at 8 a.m. The festival's highlight, of course, is seeing the town transform into a brightly colored enclave.

Inspired by the local pride and the promise of cash prizes from the Lucban government, residents spend weeks decorating their houses. Fruits, vegetables, monggo beans, rice stalks, and other farm products become the materials used for these artistic creations. Some homes recreate scenes of farmers planting rice or miniature replicas of local attractions.

The best testament to the Lucbanin's creativity and craftsmanship are the leaf-shaped kiping or rice wafers. The town uses kiping to form arangya, intricate configurations resembling chandeliers, among other shapes and patterns.

Don’t miss seeing the houses at night—they become a dazzling sight! Check the Local Government Unit of Lucban Quezon on Facebook for updates on more Pahiyas-related activities.

The Pahiyas Festival parade typically features Pancit Habhab carts, floats pulled by carabaos, street performances, and the much-awaited higantes, giants made from papier mâché. You’ll also spot beauty queens wearing elaborate dresses by Lucbanin designers.

The Pahiyas Festival Grand Parade starts at 3 p.m. on May 15 at the St. Louis Bishop Parish Church. It will traverse Placencia, A. Bonifacio, M. Tigla, and Dela Cruz streets and end at the church.

The parade route lets you see many beautifully decorated houses—explore it before or after the parade to discover the most dazzling designs. Residents often invite guests into their homes; if you're lucky, you might get to try home-cooked Lucban cuisine!

Eating at the Pahiyas Festival is a must-try experience. Many of the local food and delicacies are perfect as pasalubong.

• Pancit Habhab. This flavorful noodle dish is served on a banana leaf. Use your hands to eat it like the locals do!
• Lucban Longganisa. Some say this has a strong garlic flavor but isn’t as pungent as other Filipino native sausages.
• Kiping. Yes, the house décor is edible! Locals usually grill these rice wafers with margarine or sugar. You can also fry them like kropek.
• Hardinera, Lucban's version of embutido or meatloaf. It gets its oval shape from the llanera (the pan used for leche flan), where it’s steamed.
• Espasol. This Filipino rice cake, shaped like a cylinder, is made from rice flour, cooked in coconut milk, and sweetened coconut strips.

Other delicious take-home goodies include Budin (cassava cake), Sinukmani (another native rice cake), Broas (toasted lady fingers), Apas (thin biscuits), Uraro (arrowroot cookies), and Puto Seko (rice crackers).

Head out early to beat the crowds and make the most of the day-long festivities. Travel time from Manila is approximately three hours by private car or four hours by bus.

To get there, take the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and exit at Calamba or Sto. Tomas. Use Google Maps or Waze to provide the most efficient route based on real-time traffic conditions.

At the toll plazas, skip long car queues at the cash lanes and install an Autosweep RFID.

There are no buses that go directly to Lucban from Manila. Instead, take a bus to Lucena Grand Terminal. JAC Liner typically has Lucena buses available anytime at the Cubao and Buendia bus terminals.

From the Lucena bus terminal, you can take the jeepney or shuttle van to Lucban, which is an hour away. Expect long lines, particularly on May 15.

Some roads may be closed on festival day, so the jeepney may only take you to a certain point when you reach the town proper. Then you'll have to walk or take the tricycle to go around.

Accommodations within and outside the town proper are limited. If you plan to stay overnight, it's best to book a hotel or guesthouse in advance. You can opt to stay in Lucena, Tayabas, or even Laguna and make a bona fide vacation out of it.

Before booking, always check the hotel's location on the map to see how far it is from Lucban and the available public transportation. Here are a few options to consider for your stay:

• Batis Armin Resort and Hotel (10 to 15 minutes away from St Louis Bishop Parish Church by car), Tayabas Road, Lucban, 4328 Quezon; Call (042) 540 4401
• Casa Villaseñor Hotel (a stone's throw away from St Louis Bishop Parish Church), JCV R. Villaseñor, A. Bonifacio, Lucban, 4328 Quezon; Call 0995 923 0449
• Samkara Restaurant & Garden Resort (10 minutes away from St Louis Bishop Parish Church by car), Majayjay - Lucban Rd, Brgy. Igang, Lucban, 4328 Quezon; Call 0907 745 4557

May is one of the Philippines' hottest months, and on May 15, Lucban's streets can get overcrowded. Wear clothes made from breathable fabrics and comfortable shoes. You may also want to bring bug or mosquito repellents.

You need internet access to check the weather, get directions, and research restaurants. Make sure to complete the following before your trip:

• Ensure you’re registered to a reliable data promo for navigation and online searches. Upgrade to an eSIM to maximize your connectivity with 5G speed! Download the GlobeOne app to buy it.
• Opt for a Globe Traveler eSIM if you're a balikbayan or foreign tourist. It has plans for data, calls, and texts to all local networks. Set it up through the GlobeOne app.
• Going by car? Check toll rates and load your car's RFID via GCash.
• Riding the bus? Take advantage of your Prime Video or Disney+ access as a postpaid subscriber. The trip to Lucena is good for at least one movie!

The Pahiyas Festival demonstrates the resourceful ways Filipinos celebrate their vibrant culture. It also embodies the warm hospitality the country is famous for, where everyone gathers to enjoy each other's company and have a good time. Check out the Globe Festival calendar and plan your next Filipino festival trip!