Pahiyas: The Philippines' Most Colourful Harvest Festival

With the Filipinos’ fun-loving spirit and creativity, there’s a handful of grand town fiestas and vibrant festivals celebrated across the Philippines. Among the numerous festivals in the country, the province of Quezon takes pride in its annual colorful harvest festival called the Pahiyas Festival.

Brief History of the Pahiyas Festival

Every May 15, the townsfolk of Lucban, Quezon, don their houses with fruits, vegetables and colorful kiping (a leaf-shaped wafer made of rice and dyed with food coloring) in celebration of the Pahiyas Festival. The word ‘pahiyas’ was derived from the word ‘payas’, which means decoration or to decorate. The reason behind such practice dates back to the 15th century, when farmers used to offer their harvests at the foot of Mount Banahaw. Over time, they brought their farm produce at the church in honor of the town’s patron saint – St. Isidore the Laborer, who is the patron saint of farmers, laborers and peasants.

During that time, farmers would bring their harvest to the town church and the parish priest would bless them as a way to give thanks to the Lord for their bountiful harvest. But as time progressed, the church can no longer accommodate all harvests. It was then agreed upon for the harvests to be displayed in the farmers’ houses instead. Thus, the parish priest would go around the community to bless their harvests.

Locals believe that keeping the tradition alive was essential because it brought them away from deprivation and misfortune in their town. In May 1963, what was originally a pagan festival transformed into the colorful, grand festival that Filipinos know today. Apart from holding a competition that chooses the house with the most creative design, the festival also included cultural shows, various contests, parades and exhibits that would boost the tourist of the town of Lucban. It was the idea of the Art Club of Lucban’s Founder and President Fernando Cadeliña Nañawa.

Instead of just putting the agricultural harvest in front of their door steps, the facade of each participating house also put commercial products such as hats, abaniko or hand-held fans, mats, bags, the famous Lucban longganisa (Filipino-style sausages)and of course, the kiping.

The highlight of the Pahiyas Festival comes after the town’s procession where the spirited tradition of ‘Kalas’ takes place. The term literally means to romp away the harvests and decorations from the houses as a symbol of joy and merriment. Indeed, the Pahiyas Festival has become one of the most-sought after festivals across the Philippines, luring in locals from nearby towns and even tourists from other countries.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.