Pahiyas is derived from the local Filipino word “Payas,” which means to decorate. This festival is acclaimed as “the fiesta to end all fiestas.” With its colorful decorations, you’ll surely agree.

Held every year on the 15th of May, the San Isidro Pahiyas Festival, has become one of the most popular must see fiestas in the Philippines. Tourists and locals alike flock to Quezon province to witness this spectacular event.

During this festival, each household decorates the facade of their house, each one trying to outdo another in a friendly competition. A winner is picked every year and many prizes are up for grabs to the household with the most creative and unique decorations.

Each family adorns their house with “kiping,” a popular and by far the most attractive embellishment to be placed as decorations. Kiping is made out of grounded rice flour, shaped by using “cabal” or banana leaves. It is colored radiantly in red, fuchsia, green and other bright colors.

A kiping becomes more attractive when it catches the light of the sun turning it into a downpour of eye-catching color.
To make the festivities more fun and colorful, the people of Lucban also decorate their homes with the produce that they have. Their famous “longganisa” is also used to liven up their houses.

The Pahiyas festival not only offers a lovely sight, in addition, it holds a tiangge or a bazaar of their handmade crafts like buri (straw) hats, bags, their famous longganisa, different sweets and many more.

This festival is truly a remarkable sight. You shouldn’t miss it for the world.