The month of May is upon us! Does it ring a bell?
It does if you happen to be in Quezon province where May is almost synonymous with bright and colorful festivals - like that of “Pahiyas sa Lucban.”
But don't you know there’s one more place you shouldn’t fail to visit while in Quezon? That’s the City of Tayabas, my beloved hometown where the MAYOHAN festival is being held.
OVERVIEW
“Mayohan sa Tayabas” is an annual week-long celebration in honoring and thanksgiving San Isidro Labrador, the Patron Saint of the farmers for a bountiful harvest.
This festival has evolved since it first started in 1988 by the late film director Orlando R. Nadres and former town Mayor Dr. Faustino “Dondi” Silang.
With the involvement of 66 “barangays” showcasing each of their products and crafts, more and more tourists are now coming to this homey place.
Mayohan sa Tayabas 2018
This year's Mayohan which kicked off way too early, May 4 - 19 is probably the longest and most jam-packed celebration to date, with series of events and media coverage including ABS-CBN’s Umagang Kay Ganda, Tapatan ni Tunying, Salamat Dok etc.
As seen on Umagang Kay Ganda
HIGHLIGHTS
Parada ng Baliskog opens the celebration.
"A grand, colorful and folksy 'Parada ng Baliskog' welcomes guests to Mayohan Festival. "kog" means arc, a welcome arc. The more imaginative decked it with local flowers and play.
Yearly, 66 barangays, government, and non-government organizations, art groups join the parade.
A display of baliskog made from indigenous materials like coco leaf, coco husk, bamboo poles, bull, rattan, dried flowers, and tistis filled the streets of Tayabas and joyously welcome visitors and the summer season."
Hagisan ng Suman
"Suman is the ritual gift of Hagisan. Hagisan is an opportunity for the Tayabasin to share their prosperity.
Bundles of Suman are gaily tied in a bamboo called bagakay, exhibited and installed at households along the procession route.
As soon as the image of San Isidro passes by, the bagakay must be emptied of its colorful array of abundance, which aside from human, includes banana, mango, buko, pineapple and other local farm produce.
In most houses, human and other farm produce are no longer tied in bagakay, they simply throw them with passion and great enthusiasm from their decks, balconies, or windows to the multitudes of peasants and workers. Hagisan means throwing or sharing away."
Source: http://tayabas.gov.ph/index.php/the-city/festivals
On personal notes...
Since this is my first time (after nth years of not coming home each month of May) to experience Mayohan festival with my kids, I’m just amazed to see how far our small town has grown to be progressive and more city-like. (Ohh it’s now a city, I forgot hehe.)
But still, some places remain to be beautiful in my eyes…
Minor Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel
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| Church facade. Locally referred to as "Susi ng Tayabas" (Key of Tayabas) because it's built in the shape of a key. It is the largest church in the province of Quezon. |
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| View from the entrance |
Casa Comunidad de Tayabas
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| Casa Comunidad is a national historic landmark which houses the local museum and the municipal library. |
Malagonlong Bridge
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| This bridge is one of the oldest and longest stone arched bridges found in the province of Quezon |
Mt. Banahaw
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| the scenic view of Mt. Banahaw |
Some food still close to my heart...
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| Pinoy delicacies I'll never get tired of eating :) |
Related: Week 5: Pinoy Delicacies I'm Loving this Season
And the people, ahh they never change...still warm and friendly. That's the true Tayabense.
Meanwhile, let me share with you some personal photos I've taken at the park. I just looove the overall design of the place - the colorful banderitas, the bright sunflowers and the life-size carabaos on display create a festive atmosphere. My kids really enjoyed there!
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| All smiles for Kuya and baby :) |
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| There she goes... |
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| Groufie! |
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| I'm not looking at the cam again hehe |
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| the obligatory groufie with my Nanay, Ate and kids at City Hall's facade coz it only happens once! |
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| Look at the cam baby! |
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| Baby's tired now |
So that's about it, lovelies! Come and join "Mayohan sa Tayabas!"As we say it in our local dialect, "Parini na, yanong saya!"
Cheers!
Joan
Updated: May 17, 2018
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Labels: events, family, featured, food, places
