Pahiyas Festival

On 15 May, the feast of San Isidro Labrador, the patron of farmers, the town of Lucban decorates its houses for the harvest - and the scale of it is what makes Pahiyas the best-known fiesta in Luzon. Facades disappear under hanging vegetables, fruit, grain, woven palm and above all kiping: thin wafers made from rice paste pressed against a leaf, dried and dyed in bright colours, hung in chandelier-like clusters called arangya that catch the light and rattle in the wind. Judges award prizes for the best-dressed houses along the designated route, which changes each year, and a procession of the saint's image passes through in the afternoon. Afterwards the decorations come down and much of the produce is eaten - kiping is fried or grilled and served. Lucban's other contributions are its longganisa and pancit habhab, eaten off a banana leaf without cutlery.

What you actually see

• The kiping arangya - clusters of coloured rice wafers on the facades.
• The dressed houses - produce, grain and palm covering whole fronts.
• The procession - San Isidro carried along the route.
• The Lucban food - longganisa and pancit habhab from street stalls.

When to go

15 May, every year. Arrive early - by mid-morning the route is packed and the last transport out fills quickly.

Honest expectations

It is extremely crowded, hot and slow-moving; the route is walked shoulder to shoulder. Accommodation in Lucban books out - most visitors come as a long day trip. Decorations start coming down by evening.

Nearby

Kamay ni Hesus is minutes away; Tayabas basilica and Mount Banahaw are close.