Palace declares May 15 a holiday in Tayabas City

INQUIRER FILES

LUCENA CITY — Malacañang Palace has declared May 15 as a special non-working day in Tayabas City in Quezon province to mark the local celebration of the farmer’s feast and its famous Mayohan Festival.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin stated in Proclamation No. 541 issued on Wednesday, May 8, that the declaration aims to give the people of Tayabas City the “opportunity to participate in the occasion and enjoy the celebration.”

A copy of the declaration was posted on the Facebook page of the City Information and Community Relations Office on Thursday afternoon.

The Mayohan is the city’s celebration of the feast of San Isidro de Labrador, the farmers’ patron saint. The whole festival is celebrated from the second until the third week of May.

On May 15, residents of the houses along the procession route throw bundles of suman (rice cakes) and other farm produce to the waiting arms of revelers as an expression of gratitude for the bountiful harvest.

Tayabas City is home to the 136-meter stone arch Malagonlong Bridge, also known as Puente de Malagonlong built between 1840 and 1850, and the Minor Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel built in 1565 by Franciscan priests and features a 100-meter-long aisle.

Spanish-era stone crosses are also found in remote forested areas in the shadow of mystical Mt. Banahaw.

From 1779 to 1910, Tayabas was the capital town of the then Tayabas province, now known as Quezon.

On May 7, Malacañang also declared May 15 a non-working day in neighboring Sariaya town to mark their celebration of the Agawan Festival as a tribute to San Isidro.

On May 15, Lucban town will also celebrate its Pahiyas Festival while Gumaca town will hold its Araña’t Baluarte Festival on the same date. Both fiestas aim to pay tribute to San Isidro and their local farmers.

Malacañang is also expected to declare the date as a non-working holiday in the two municipalities just like what it did last year.