Pahiyas Festival of Lucban Quezon

A display of various arresting colours designed like chandeliers made of leaf like materials called kipping decorated most of the façade of the houses.  Curiosity sank in when I saw throng of people walking on one direction. Even the day was filthy hot with no available shade of comfort we joined the throng and found ourselves bathed with various arresting colors.

Lucban celebrates the Pahiyas Festival every May 15 in honor of the patron saint of farmers,St. Isidore. This festival showcases a street of houses which are adorned with fruits, vegetables, agricultural products, handicrafts and kiping, a rice-made decoration, which afterwards can be eaten grilled or fried. The houses are judged and the best one is proclaimed the winner. (wikipedia)

Called longganisa in the Philippines, the sausages are flavoured with indigenous spices, with each region having its own specialty. Among others, Lucban is known for its garlicky longanizas (derecado)

The houses are judged and the best one is proclaimed the winner.

Every year, tourists roam the municipality to witness the decoration of houses.

This garden landed this house to third place. 

Kiping, a rice-made decoration, which afterwards can be eaten grilled or fried. 

Longganisa lucban is a garlicky slightly sour sausage that is quite similar to chorizo de bilbao, the famous garlic sausage from Spain.

Lucban is starting to get noticed because of their impressive hats. Visit Lucban and feel like Queen Elizabeth - no rush!

Speaking about the colorful houses, the usual decoration used of the Lucbanins is the brightly colored rice wafer, called kiping. Besides San Isidro Labrador – the patron of the farmers, Lucban Pahiyas is not Lucban Pahiyas without kiping. (wowquezon)

Making kiping is a time-consuming process. Its name came from “Kipi” or “Kinipi” which describes how laborious the process of making one. It undergoes many steps before it can be used as a decoration for the festival. (w0wquezon)

A replica of the Lucban Church made of coconut husks. 

Isidore was born to very poor parents in Madrid, about the year 1070. He was in the service of the wealthy Madrid landowner Juan de Vargas on a farm in the vicinity of Madrid. Juan de Vargas would later make him bailiff of his entire estate of Lower Caramanca

The townsfolk trot out their beloved gigantes or giants. Measuring about 14 feet tall, the giants come in pairs, the mag-asawa or couple, a giant man dressed in the peasant's camisa chino or undershirt, and his wife clad in the native patadyong and kimona, a loose skirt topped with a flimsy blouse. Made from papier mache, the giants are borne on shoulders by those who have made it, a panata is made in return for a favor received. 

Buddy's - Dito parang laging Fiesta!

This is the Lucban Church in Quezon, which is almost 400 years old. Said the inscription: ” The first church, built in 1595, was ruined in 1629. The second church was constructed between 1630 and 1640, but was seriously damaged by fire in 1733. The present church was completed in 1738 and the convent in 1743.”

THANK YOU LUCBAN FOR A COLORFUL AND WONDERFUL PAHIYAS EXPERIENCE.

A Soothing Southern Palawan Summer Experience

(Courtesy of Daniel Ken Diamante)

THREE MONTHS PRIOR TO HOLY WEEK, i was scanning photos of previous trips and checking site that would save me from duplicate travel itinerary (puerto galera having the most reruns) and eventually freeing my hard drive from repeat photos.

Scouting for a spot is as challenging as looking for the most affordable fare and accommodation albeit not forfeiting comfort, safety and fun. After all, finding value for your money is identical to looking for a needle in a haystack with our current economic order.

The usual photo op in front of Puerto Princesa Airport... with tita ellen, john and fritz

 

The invitation of my housemate to visit the southern side of Palawan (he comes from Narra, Palawan) fashioned a distinct excitement.  While the mainstream is preoccupied with checking the north, the southern side puts up with a smaller amount of tourists downpour.  With less tourism programs on hand, we decided to urge our way down south.

 

A group picture after a short visit at the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm

Unlike our previous trips, my companions brought some school supplies for the Tagbanua tribe.  The Municipality of Aborlan granted the Tagbanua tribe their ancestral domain making them a conserved community.  I was dreaming for topless Tagbanua women and loin clothed men, but I met cool Tagbanuas with cellular phones, instead. We left the school supplies to the chieftain for their distribution, said our farewells and exchanged thank you.  From the tribe, we made a short trip to the Aborlan Talakaigan River Park and informed that the municipality is saving up for its restoration and hopefully for tourism.  But there is one thing that makes this municipality a big hit: the resorts (like the Camille del Sol Beach Resort) are up for sale at a can-be-arranged-rate.

  

Aborlan Talakaigan River Park

Market of Narra, Palawan

After thirty minutes of almost perpetual beautiful landscape we arrived in Narra, Palawan with almost no hint of exhaustion. Narra, Palawan (formerly called Panacan) was created by the National Resettlement Rehabilitation Administration (NARRA) in 1954 to distribute land to previously landless people from other parts of the country.  Many settlements were established from the time of President Magsaysay and the place soon called NARRA.  With its populace focusing on rice farming, it has since come to be known as the RICE GRANARY OF PALAWAN till today. 

Thursday, April 21, 2011, all geared to check the first island of the four islands in our list, the Malunao Islet in Aborlan, we left Panacan on a fishing boat (instead of the usual trigger boat).  The Tourism Department of Aborlan prepared a hefty lunch of crabs, grilled yellow fin, tambakol, other fish species and agar-agar at the stilt in the islet of Malunao Aborlan and gave me my first sand bar experience.

Stilt houses on the islet of Mulanao, Aborlan, Palawan

The best way to harvest agar-agar for lunch and explore the islet of Mulanao

On our way to the Islet of Mulanao.  This is the entrance/exit of Aborlan, Palawan Port

A low tide escapade at Mulanao, Aborlan

A kodak moment...

Arena Island: a marriage of relaxation and adventure.

Friday, April 22, 2011.  When everything was all set, we boarded the same fishing boat for Arena Island: a private island which is a joint pioneering effort by communications leader and businessman Louie Morales and Palawan-born engineer Fuji Rodriguez. Touted as Palawan’s best kept secret, Arena Island is a tropical paradise paradox: secluded yet modern, lavish yet eco-friendly.   (Lily O Ramos)

The Isla Arena Resort: captivating and preserving

You will definitely have fun with the pawikans

The sunset is as captivating as the island itself

Estrella Falls is also a recipient of the 

Hall of Fame for the Cleanest 

and Greenest Inland Body of Water (River Category).

Saturday, April 23, 2011 with so much sea, sand and sun experience, the Estrella Falls trip was fitting to experience a complete summer escape. It is situated at the foot of Mt. Victoria, 6 kilometers away from the highway of Baranggay Malatgao, Narra. Estrella Falls is also a recipient of the Hall of Fame for the Cleanest and Greenest Inland Body of Water (River Category.) Even when the sun is up and scourging, Estrella Falls is always ready to offer a refreshing getaway.

The place is ideal for picnic and just the thing for cooling down. 

Even when the sun is up and scourging, Estrella Falls is always ready to offer a refreshing getaway.

The stillness of the night with stars leading our way 

and the competence of our boatmen gave us warm assurance of security.

Sunday came and we had to pack our things, we could not help but single out our respective best memories while sipping our last coffee.  The one hour drive to Puerto Princesa seemed slow and long with memories impeding us from going. I know this will not be my last one for Narra, Palawan.  For Palawan will always have something new to offer.

 

  

Liliw Laguna: Home to nice Flip Flops and Espadrille

Just some pieces of
nice espadrilles

The facade of San Bartolome Church

“NICE SHOES WILL TAKE YOU TO NICE PLACES.”  Upon hearing this from a Koreanobela, Boys Over Flower, it stopped me from visiting thrift shops for a good pair of shoes. But it gave me ample time to wait for the next SALE season. 

Further to my piece on Laguna Loop, before heading to Liliw, Laguna, the group stopped at the San Bartolome Church.  As per Filipino tradition, a short visit at any church will guarantee a safe travel. But I think I hit two birds with one stone (cliché as it is.)  I found a treasure in Nagcarlan Church.  As per my reading - The architecture of Nagcarlan Church is Baroque. Its facade has a semicircular arched main entrance flanked by semicircular windows. Its bell has Muslim-inspired crenellations. The embellishments of the facade and the side entrances are distinctly Baroque and this impression is enhanced by the play of light and shade among the architectural details which include tall pedestals which lift the columns on the second level, fenestrations and columns of varying number and length. These details alter the church's otherwise stolid rectangular structure. (en.wikipilipinas)

The captivating altar of San Bartolome Church. 
 Holy and nifty.

After the thank-yous-for-the-blessings and please-keep-this-trip-safe prayers, we left our hopes and prayers to all the saints we met and greeted. With renewed spirits and strength, Liliw, Laguna seemed a good breather

“Liliw is a 4th class municipality in the province of Laguna, Philippines. It is one of the highland towns forming the southern extremity of the province  It has a total land area of 88.5 sq. miles. Bounded on the northwest by Sta. Cruz; northeast by Magdalena; on the east by Majayjay; on the west by Nagcarlan; and on the south by Dolores, Quezon, Liliw is perhaps best known for its cold water spring resorts, native homemade sweets and a sizeable shoe industry that rivals that of Marikina City.”  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liliw,_Laguna)

A dose of espadrilles for summer.

A short stretch displays an array of shoes stores. Although I heard nice shoes stores in Marikina, but this Liliw is just one spectacular display of Filipino talent and ingenuity.  Alighting from the van, a kesong puti vendor effortlessly sold me his wares and clueless on what to do with the keso (so affordable at P35 per pack), i accidentally left it while scavenging for my size.

And since summer is inevitable, the picture of espadrille is so engaging not to mention welcoming. Originally priced at P450.00 – a good talk with the tindera would end with P300.00.

Well, a good smile is always the best accessory.  And a good smile just landed me a nice pair of espadrille.  Now,  I am ready for summer.  

More Photos of the short trip (day tour actually)

The entrance of San Bartolome Church.



This piece of art showcases heaven and hell.

Gela, my Persian co-teacher is so amazed

that she thought of "converting" to Christianity.





The Laguna Loop ended with visiting Mer-Nel's Cake Shop
in Los Banos, Laguna.
If you are tired with the perennial sight of Buko Pie,
then don't ever dare go home without a box from Mer-Nel's.



                                                

Laguna Loop: Now on with the First Pit Stop, the Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery

“A TRAVELLER’S ITCH” - A SUDDEN THOUGHT THAT POPPED UP WHILE MY BOSS DISCUSSED WITH ME THE POSSIBILITY OF ASSISTING THE STUDENTS IN THEIR LAGUNA LOOP/INTEGRATION/OUTING:  A REFRESHING WAY TO END THE SCHOOL YEAR.

Although I had been to Laguna for so many times (not to mention my brother lives in Cabuyao) and my friend Sandie is from Rizal, Laguna, out of inquisitiveness, I checked the itinerary if I could spend the whole trip slumbering. Well, they had an underground cemetery and Liliw, Laguna before heading to Los Banos. 

The underground Cemetery was new to me. Although I had seen cemeteries before but with an underground one was something made me attracted. The trip was ok with tolerable volume of traffic when we reached Alabang.  After a short stop at Starbucks, SLEX (the students are hell crazy with it), I opted to get my lowly supply of caffeine from Jollibee.

First pit stop: Nagcarlan, Laguna.

Nagcarlan is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Laguna, Philippines. It is 21 kilometers northeast of San Pablo City, or 99 kilometers south of Manila, Philippines.  So, the 99 kilometers is translated to 2 hours of road trip.  It was drizzling and the clouds were not too blue for my lenses. But it never daunted my spirit to get awed. Truly, the beauty of the cemetery begins at the gate: “An arched gate leads to the chapel built into the cemetery's inner wall.”

“The Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery Historical Landmark is a fine example of Spanish colonial architecture. Built by the Franciscan Friar Vicente Velloc in 1845, its octagonal grounds are enclosed by a wall decorated with wrought-iron grills and stonework meant to look like drapery.” (http://www.nhi.gov.ph)

The chapel is not that big. I mean don’t expect too much on the dimension.  Just allow yourself to get immersed with its history.   “This underground section of the cemetery played an important role in our history.  Throughout the Revolution of 1896 and the Filipino-American War, our fighting patriots used the crypt as a secret hideout, gathering here to plan their moves or to seek shelter.  Similarly, it became a safehouse for guerillas during the World War II.” (same source)

Now, that is history overload.  But don’t be depressed.  The pasalubong at the entrance of the chapel, delectable and affordable, offers a door to present times, just in case you undergo 1896 homecoming romanticism.

Now…on to the next pit stop, Liliw, Laguna.

TRAVEL TIP: 

 The Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery Historical Landmark is located in Nagcarlan a mountainside town of Laguna. The landmark is open for public viewing from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from Tuesday to Saturday. For inquiries please contact the NHI central office at telephone number +63 2 5249952.