When we say Lucban Quezon, it means Pahiyas Festival which is held every May 15 in honor of the patron St. of harvest, Isidore the Laborer, the farmer. This festival showcases an avenue of houses which are beautified with fruits, vegetables, agricultural products, handicrafts and "kiping"- a rice-made decoration, which afterwards can be eaten grilled or fried. The houses are evaluated and the best one is declared the winner. Every year, tourists stroll to the municipality to see the decoration of houses. But there are other reasons why we should visit Lucban Quezon “kabalikat”.
Lucban Quezon rests at the foot of the prestigious Mt. Banahaw. Legend has it that the town derived its name from Lucban or Pomelo fruit tree. Three hunters from Majayjay, Laguna named Marcos Tigla, Luis Gumba and Lucas Manawa came upon a plain at the northeast foot of Mount Banahaw after they lost their way following the trail of some wild game. Resting under a tree, they saw a black crow or "uwak" up on a tree, and believing this to be a bad omen, they moved to another location and rested once more. While resting under a large shady pomelo or lucban tree, the trio were attracted to a couple of kingfishers (salaksak) singing. Fascinated by the beautiful color and lovely rhythmic chirps of the birds, the supertitious hunters took the incident as a sign of good fortune and decided to settle in the place and named it "Lucban." The people of Lucban accepted the story as true. Marcos Tigla was the first gobernadorcillo in 1596, and then Lucas Manawa took over the responsibility for four years. Today Lucban is a booming district bounded by its untouched environment and retaining its extraordinary beauty.
To get there via public transport, just ride a Lucena bound bus at Kamuning or Buendia that will take you to Lucena Grand Central. From there, the shrine is just a short jeepney ride. During your trip you will notice on how the place is really a “probinsya type” very simple living but abundant of the love from Mother Nature. Green grass, picturesque mountain views, farms and everything that there’s none in the city. As much as you want to enjoy the trip, the cold wind will embrace you and make you fall asleep, no ruthless sounds or noise. Imagine how this place is really blessed “kabalikat”
So from there, as I was saying “kabalikat” aside from Pahiyas Festival, there is more than Lucban Quezon can offer to its tourists and visitors.
One reason is the Kamay ni Hesus Healing Center. A wonderful place for Visita Iglesia and retreat. The shrine is located on the slopes of Mt. Banahaw, Barangay Tinamnan, Lucban Quezon. It features a church where healing masses were celebrated by the known healing priest Fr. Joey Faller. Also on the site is a 292-steps hill with life size figures with the 14 Stations of the Cross. On the top is a large effigy of Jesus Christ, a 50-foot statue that is said to be the third biggest in the world. So for those planning a holy week excursion or even an escape, Kamay ni Hesus Shrine is a great place to memorialize the life and passions of Christ. Healing masses are also offered every Monday and Saturday at 09.30 AM. Pilgrims and those who seek out for physical and spiritual healing voyage to the mystical municipality of Lucban, just visit Kamay ni Hesus.
After the physical and spiritual healing, it’s time to enjoy the food that is “tatak” Lucban, The best and the only “Pancit Habhab”. Visitors and tourists will not complete their trip to Lucban if they don’t have the chance to eat “Pancit Habhab”. This differs to the pancit we used to eat, because it’s Habhab, it is eaten without the use of fork. No need to hunt or to go anywhere, just outside the church is a small canteen which serves Lucban's constantly well-known Pancit Habhab. You have to eat the noodles straight from the banana leaf.
Before deciding to go home, take a visit to the Church of St.Louis of Toulouse, as always the church is very rich in its meaning just by seeing it.
It’s time to buy “pasalubong”! One of the best pasalubong shops is the Eker and Ely store that offers different pasalubong like “broas” “ pulvoron” ang others. And one of the best buy is the Lucban Longganisa! The BEST “kabalikat”.
Let me remind you “kabalikat”, if you are a commuter, you should take the last trip at 5pm. The terminal is just in front of the St. Louis of Toulouse church.
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