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Every
May 15, the fronts of houses in Lucban, Quezon are are
elaborately decorated with brightly colored rice wafer,
called kiping, a type of rice dough made from a
traditional recipe. The occasion is the Pahiyas Festival
which is done in honor of San Isidro Labrador, the
patron saint of the town. This is to give thanks for a
good harvest to assure farmers of more bountiful
harvests in forthcoming seasons.
The colorful Pahiyas festival that we have known for
years dated as far back in the 16th century when
Catholicism is on the rise in Quezon province. As many
have told, it started as a way of thanksgiving for a
good harvest. And the bountiful offers were given to the
Franciscan missionaries who brought Catholicism in the
1500s.
Presently, the Pahiyas Festival has become the pride not
only of Lucbanons but all Quezonians for consistently
keeping the culture and religion alive. The bright
colors of "kiping" transcend the beauty if this town,
not to mention the friendly smiles and greetings you get
to receive from one street to another. |
