Mention May 15, and one province instantly comes to mind. Quezon.

Every year, Quezon comes alive with festivals in honor of San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of farmers. These include the Anihan Festival in Mauban, Agawan Festival in Sariaya, Arañat Baluarte Festival in Gumaca, Mayohan Festival in Tayabas City, Pahiyas Festival in Lucban, Pabitin in Catanauan, and Sabugan in Agdangan.

I hadn’t attended these festivals in years, so when I saw a post by Bajo Las Campanas, a group I had already joined twice before and had great experiences with, I signed up again. This trip featured three of the most vibrant celebrations: Mayohan in Tayabas, Pahiyas in Lucban, and Agawan in Sariaya. 

Three festivals in one day. We did it, and it was unforgettable. And all are held in towns whose churches are designated Jubilee churches for the 2025 Jubilee Year.

We started the morning with breakfast at Rodillas, a homegrown favorite known for its Yema Cake. I had Lucban longganisa with egg and rice. Heavier than my usual breakfast, but the day called for it.

Our first stop was the Minor Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel, also known as Tayabas Basilica. It’s the biggest church in the province, shaped like a key, which is why it’s called the “Susì ng Tayabas.” Its 103-meter aisle is one of the longest among Spanish-era churches in the country. 

While Saint Michael is the town’s patron, Tayabas also honors San Diego de Alcala and celebrates San Isidro Labrador every May 15.

As with every Bajo Las Campanas trip, we began with a prayer, a group photo, and a short history briefing from Lorenzo Bukas, the group’s founder and the man behind Libreria Filipiniana, an online bookstore specializing in Philippine titles.

Then we set out to admire the baliskog, the intricately designed welcome arches made from local materials like rice, coconut, rattan, bamboo, and flowers. 

The highlight of Mayohan is the hagisan, where sumans are tossed into the crowd. Sumans are steamed glutinous rice cakes cooked in coconut milk and wrapped in banana leaves. Unfortunately, the hagisan was scheduled in the afternoon, and we had to move on.

We then headed to LK Farmcation in Lucban to try making kiping, the colorful leaf-shaped rice wafers that define the Pahiyas Festival. Made from glutinous rice, kiping is both decorative and edible. You can grill or fry it and enjoy it with sugar or vinegar.

Lunch was also served at the farm. We had Pancit Habhab, a Lucban staple. It’s rice noodles served on a banana leaf and traditionally eaten without utensils. You grab the leaf and slide the noodles straight into your mouth. Best with a drizzle of cane vinegar.

Next was the most popular May 15 celebration, which is Pahiyas in Lucban. 

The van dropped us off a bit far from the festival zone, but the walk was worth it. This was my second time at Pahiyas, and it was just as beautiful as I remembered. The houses were bursting with colorful displays of vegetables, fruits, flowers, and kiping. The streets were packed with people admiring the artistry.

We met up at the San Luis Obispo de Tolosa Parish Church, also known as Lucban Church. While it is dedicated to San Luis Obispo, many also show devotion to San Isidro Labrador and his wife Beata María de la Cabeza.

A highlight of Pahiyas is the Kalas procession, where people grab produce from the decorated homes. It’s a joyful kind of chaos, but we missed it because of our tight schedule.

From Lucban, we made our way to Sariaya to catch the Agawan Festival. Just when we thought we had missed it, locals guided us through a back route of the church to witness the final stretch of the happy pandemonium.

Agawan is exactly what it sounds like. People snatch treats off the streets or from bagakay, bamboo poles strung with goodies like candy, fruits, kiping, money, and more. Residents also throw treats from their windows. The town is decorated with buntal hats and curtains made of string beans. It’s wild, colorful, and rooted in the tradition of generosity.

We ended the day with a visit to the Saint Francis of Assisi Parish Church, also known as the Diocesan Shrine of Santo Cristo de Burgos. This centuries-old church houses a miraculous image said to have survived disasters and invasions. Legend has it that one day, the image became too heavy to carry, which was taken as a sign to build the church where it now stands.

Dinner was at Buddy’s, another well-loved restaurant that started in Quezon. The perfect ending to a day filled with culture, faith, food, and festivities.

Mark your calendar for next year. On May 15, Quezon proves once again that culture, devotion, and community spirit are very much alive.