Quezon’s Pahiyas Festival canceled due to COVID-19 scare

LUCENA CITY –– The “Pahiyas Festival” the crowd-drawing May-time celebration that prompted the Department of Tourism to put Lucban town in Quezon province on the list of must-see summer fiestas, has been canceled this year due to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) scare.

On Friday, Lucban Mayor Celso Olivier Dator issued Executive Order No. 28 that effectively canceled all public events from March 15 to 31, including this year’s “Pahiyas Festival.”

The festival, held every May 15, is the farmers’ tribute to their patron saint, San Isidro de Labrador.

Dator explained that “the widespread and pandemic character” of the dreaded virus needs immediate attention to prevent its spread.

The local chief executive, in his order, said the events to be celebrated “has to be considerably assessed due to the prevalent virus spread.”

He maintained that the holding of all forthcoming events, particularly the “Pahiyas Festival” and “Buhasaya” should now be thoroughly studied in the context of the growing spread of COVID-19.

The “Buhasaya” is the local government-sponsored celebration of Easter Sunday. It is the former “buhusan” practice, which has long been part of the town’s culture and tradition. The traditional festivity involves throwing and splashing of water to passersby, including passing vehicles.

“It is now a different stage and situation. There has to be an avoidance of activities that will favor the gathering of people, Dator said.

He said the order also includes “avoidance to any huge gathering that requires close contacts, shouting, talking, group singing, or those requiring interactions between participants like concerts, festivals, sharing of microphones during videokes, and the like.”

The Pahiyas, which has become one of the country’s top tourist drawers, is known for the displays of colorful “kiping” (rice wafers), vegetables, fruits, and other native products in houses along the procession route./lzb