We are both first timers at this trip because we never been to Quezon province. Well, map is so old school so i used the modern map hahahahha the world web it is invented for us to search :) we went to Quezon province "USING ONLY PRINT OUT GUIDE FROM THE NET" -- it was totally an adventure at some place very new to us both !
Experience the first WIFI BUS :) so you won't feel the long travel at all. Don't worry because it is for free ! link: http://jacliner.com/ -- wifi password censored * sorry :)
We arrived at the Grand terminal of Lucena at around 1am. From there you would ride a jeep going to Lucban proper and since there is only few passengers we payed for about 30 php each.
Then when we arrived at Lucban I thought everything would go smoothly because I thought that there would be hotel vacancies so I did not bother to make any reservation and besides this trip is sudden. Sadly, everywhere we go every inn, hotels, pensionne, for rent house, resorts are FULLY BOOKED ! they cannot accommodate guest anymore even if they like too.
We hired a tricycle to guide us where we could possibly stay for the night and after 1 1/2 hours of searching we manage to find one. :) It was around Tayabas Quezon and good thing for us it is a newly established hotel so everything there is brand new ^^
After a nice sleep for almost 8 hours our bill was ?
" 480 php " -- cheap right.. ?
Our moments before we left Roadside hotel :p -- this hotel is so comfy, accommodating attendant, nice facilities, noise free (even though their name is roadside hehehhe), and much more it is safe.
JOURNEY TO KAMAY NI HESUS:
We left roadside hotel at around 10 am and arrived at kamay ni Hesus at around 11:30 to 12 noon. Because of the traffic caused by the tourist like us. From Tayabas we experienced to ride the so called "MINI BUS" going to Lucban but due to the traffic jam we have to walk or else will be stuck up ! about 15-20 mins walk * depends how you want to enjoy the scenic view around. :)
&& It was Noon at last.. it was not time for us to eat but instead it was time for us to hike the 292 steps of the grotto ! :) Every step we make, sweat, and effort was so worth it and thinking that this for God and reaching the top was our ULTIMATE GOAL !
VIEWS AROUND THE SHRINE AND THE GROTTO STATIONS:
PIETA NOAH'S ARK
OVER VIEWING MT.BANAHAW FROM THE GROTTO
DURING THE CREATION
STATION'S BEFORE REACHING THE TOP
AND WE REACHED THE TOP TOUCH DOWN ...!
After an exhausting hike.. it's time to grab our lunch and look around the stalls outside the shrine :) weee ! This calls for a SOUVENIR STOP !
This was our lunch / snack :p " THIS IS IT PANCIT HABHAB"
one of delicacies of Quezon province
(pancit cost = 15php + coke = 12php) = 22php per pax? not bad hehehehe :) but you will absolutely feel full afterwards so don't over eat !
SOUVENIR:
-- LUCBAN LONGGANISA: worth 300 php per pack (tali)
-- PANCIT HABHAB: worth 25 php each
-- SUMBRERO (HAT): worth 15 php each
JOURNEY TO PAHIYAS FESTIVAL:
See this traffic jam? it's like EDSA ! except instead of cars and bus it's all TRICYCLE.. and there is no way will make it on time for the fiesta parade so, our tricycle driver advise us to walk again ! >_<
HEAT ? LONG WALK ? CROWDED PLACE? It doesn't matter to us as long as were both enjoying our trip :)
BRIEF INTRODUCTION OF THE FESTIVAL:
The feast of Saint Isidore It was first observed by the native tagalogs who used to settled at the foot of Mt. Banahaw during the early times. Formerly called COLUMBAN or MALUBAN, it is a simple thanksgiving offer for the Anito's for the good harvest.
WHAT IS KIPING?
It is derived from the root word "KIPI" or "KINIPI" or "KINIKIPI" which means to dehydrate the extra water content out of the dough by putting heavy object on it.
WHY IS IT CALLED PAHIYAS?
Founder and President FERNANDO CADELINA NANAWA was the one who organized the festival and this started on May 1963. It was also him who coined the word PAHIYAS -- derived from the term PAYAS which means " DECORATION OR TO DECORATE" from 1970's it was known as the PAHIYAS FESTIVAL.
PAHIYAS vs ST.ISIDRO FESTIVAL?
St Isidro festival was the original it's original name so the catholic church urged the local government to include it making it the: " LUCBAN SAN ISIDRO PAHIYAS FESTIVAL".
you can find the complete details of the history at this website:
yearly residents would participate on decorating their houses with fruits, vegetables, kiping, etc and at the end of the day the most beautiful decorated house wins.
Candidates showing off their own native gown during the parade.
who knew that carabao's are vain too?? hehehehe :) me and my boyfriend just enjoyed the parade and everything in it.
Matt Evans was there and joined the festival parade and our
Captured moments at the Lucban Basilica.
Our delicious dinner before heading back to Manila for only around 200+ php OHA ! :)
WOAH?! were both so into souvenirs hehehehehhe.
* ALL THIS EVENT HAPPENED WITHIN 24HOURS or maybe less would you believe it? But hey we made it possible :) right after the festival around 6pm we left Lucban Quezon right away together with the other tourist so expect a long waiting line for the jeepney. But, at last we made it through the grand terminal at Lucena and catch up the bus going to Manila.
* IT IS TRUE THAT IT'S MORE FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES WHY? BECAUSE, YOU GOT TO EXPERIENCE HERE THE FUN LIKE NO OTHER ! :)
OUR TOTAL BUDGET TRIP: 3,000 PHP (including everything and transportation)
NOTE: It is like a 2 days festival because people there are starting to prepare for the main event and likewise tourist starts to visit there at May 14 and the grand event happens at May 15 so, if your planning to go there have an early hotel reservation because as I said earlier it is so hard to find one when you have no reservation at all.
