Fiesta-hopping in Quezon Province: A ‘Biyahe Ni Drew’ itinerary

You’re not a Filipino if you haven’t experienced attending a fiesta once in your life, and in the Philippines, it’s almost impossible to miss one as fiestas happen all over the country... EVERY. SINGLE. DAY!

So for our last hurrah this summer, we went to Quezon Province to check out what their popular fiestas have to offer --- delectable local dishes, cultural practices and traditions, and the essence of unity among townsmen!

Let’s go, Biyaheros!

Pahiyas Festival in Lucban, Quezon

One of the more popular celebrations in Quezon Province, the Pahiyas Festival in Lucban is celebrated every May 15 as tribute to their patron, San Isidro Labrador, who is also the patron saint of farmers.

But what makes Pahiyas Festival famous is the way they decorate their town --- ‘banderitas’ or little flags are not enough as locals adorn their houses with their produce, most of which are fruits and vegetables.

Ever wondered why the locals exert a lot of effort to make their houses stand out? Well, Pahiyas Festival is an annual event that’s visited by many Filipinos and foreigners. You have to admit… it’s not every day that you see a row of houses adorned with colorful fruits and vegetables!

Food lovers won’t be left out as residents also take pride in their delectable longganisa. Which is why their festivities are not complete without the Lucban longganisa-making and eating contests!

Biyaheros, attack!

‘Mayohan’ in Tayabas, Quezon

Tayabas, Quezon’s Mayohan Festival is also like Pahiyas Festival; locals decorate their houses with produce such as rice seeds, coconut, and banana to give thanks to San Isidro Labrador.

Here we met a local named Evelyn, who won first place in last year's Mayohan tilt.  This year, she hopes to finish first in the annual contest with her colorful collage of decors made out of coconut, banana, rice seeds, onion skin, corn skin, and coconut shell.

Making these decorations were never easy, but Evelyn’s hard work paid off as she won 25,000 pesos in the annual contest last 2015.

“Okay lang naman po kahit maliit [ang premyo],” Evelyn said. “[Ang importante] ay ‘yung pagkakaisa ng komunidad. ‘Yun po ang importante. Dapat po, ang mga tayo ay sumama, sumali at makiisa.”

Agawan Festival in Sariaya, Quezon

If there’s a place where snatching is “acceptable” (and exciting, even), that’s in Sariaya, Quezon.

In their annual Agawan Festival, locals who walk through the streets during procession literally “snatch” goodies hanging outside the houses (pabitin-style). Souvenirs include buntal hats, bags, and hand fans, while the produce used as decors include string beans, camote, corn, and potato are also up for grabs!

As if this game is not exciting enough, residents who are in their houses also throw food and money to those who are part of the procession.  Wow, sali kami diyan!

“Ang binibigyang-pugay dito ay mga magsasaka [at] ‘yung kanilang mga produkto. Nananalangin kami na maging masagana [ang ani],” says a Sariaya local named Connie. “Kahit na ako ay gumastos, basta ‘yung mga tao rito ay masiyahan.”

Arangya Baluarte Festival in Gumaca, Quezon

The locals hold their fiesta quite differently from their neighboring municipalities. “Hindi lang miyembro ng isang pamilya ang tulong-tulong na gumagawa kundi buong barangay,” says Drew.

Each barangay has to come up with the most decorated and artistic arch that they can boast of.

“Araña” is a chandelier-like decor made of bamboo where several crops are hung. The araña is supported by the “baluarte” or the arch of the participating barangay, hence the name of the annual festival. Later on, the goodies displayed here will be consumed by everybody. Sweet!

Food trip in Quezon Province

What’s a trip to a certain place without having a taste of their local dishes, right? So during our shoot, we got to taste some of Quezon Province’s delectable food such as ginanga (steamed fish flavored with garlic, ginger, and chili), chichanoy, nilasing na hipon, seafood salpicao, and salakot rice.

Mmmmmm… by the sound of it, it feels like you just want to grab a plate and feast on all these food!

In Pagbilao, Quezon, they have unique-sounding dishes that are famous among locals and tourists: Tinuktok and Pinais. But don’t be fooled as each dish promises a mouthwatering local dining experience!

“Gawa sa buong hipon, taba ng hipon at alimango, alagang niyog (o ‘yung niyog na hindi malambot pero hindi rin matigas), sibuyas, bawang at paminta ang pinais,” Drew describes Pinais. “Ibinabalot ito sa dahon ng saging, pinakukuluan sa sabaw ng niyog at tsaka iniihaw hanggang matuyo at masunog ang balot.”

Tinuktok, on the other hand, is almost the same with Pinais. According to Drew, “Pareho lang ng laman ang pinais at tinuktok. Ang kaibahan lang, sa tinuktok, tinadtad o tinuktok ang hipon.”

While in Tayabas, don’t you drop by the airline-themed restaurant Air Summit Gourmet, where the whole place is literally shaped like an airplane and servers are dressed as flight attendants!

“Kapag pumunta ka rito, para ka ring lilipad dahil bago sumakay ng eroplano, kailangan dumaan sa kanilang ‘immigration’ para umorder,” narrates Drew.

Meanwhile, a trip to Quezon Province wouldn’t be complete without tasting their famous lambanog or wine made of coconut.

“Ang lambanog po ay kasama na sa aming culture and tradition; may kasama pang awit at sayaw,” says a local named Mallari. Lambanog is always present in special occasions such as weddings and birthday celebrations in Quezon.

While it’s true that there is a fiesta in almost every part of the country every year, each fiesta is considered unique ---- “Ang mga engrandeng selebrasyong ito ay nagpapakita ng tunay na ugali ng mga Pinoy: mapagbigay at mapagmahal sa Diyos, sa pamilya at sa kapwa,” says Drew. “A grand gesture of selflessness and a genuine symbol of Filipino hospitality. ‘Yan ang pistang Pinoy!”---Juju Z. Baluyot/ARPP, GMA Public Affairs