LBE Travel & Tours is celebrating Asian American Pacific Islander month, and we decided to give you a peak into LBE’s owner Nida’s hometown of Lucban, Philippines. Every May 15th the town of Lucban celebrates the feast of San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of farmers. This colorful festival is called Pahiyas; it’s a food, harvest, and religious celebration. The whole town participates by adorning their houses with “Kiping”, leaf-shaped and multi-colored rice paste wafers which are used to decorate the facades of homes, along with the fruits and flowers. People take part in a procession, complete with floats, bands, and performers in colorful costumes.
With the popularity of Pahiyas Festival, and the Kamay ni Hesus Healing church, Lucban has become an up and coming tourist destination. The locals have caught on and built some big resorts equipped with tons of photo ops for their visitors like a mini Hobbitton; as well as unique dining experiences like “palaisdaans” which are floating restaurants, and an airplane restaurant in the town’s surrounding area.
Walking around Lucban, you’ll be able to admire the views of the Holy Mountain of Mt Banahaw. In the Philippines, locals believe that unseen beings inhabit sacred sites or “puwestos” on this extinct volcano. Mount Banahaw has become a religious center attracting psychics, mystics, mediums and occultists. Pilgrims offer prayers to gain favors, miraculous healing or to be in close contact with the divine.
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