My First Time at Pahiyas Festival in Lucban

"Twas a Sunday, May 15, 2011 when I joined my Digital Photography 101 classmates for our photo shoot in Lucban, Quezon. I was very excited because that was really my first time to visit Lucban for their annual Pahiyas festival. I was also thrilled because our trip to Quezon was part of our lessons in photography under our maestro, Jay Alonzo.

It was the middle of May and the heat was really unbearable. Upon arrival in Lucban, we were told that we were on our own and that we would just meet up in the restaurant where we would all take our lunch. And so the shooting escapade started. 

I didn't actually expect that a lot of people really come to Lucban just to see the kipings that the residents hung in their houses' facade. Or maybe because it was a Sunday and people found a good reason to go out of town. Well, the people around town made the Pahiyas really a true Filipino fiesta sans the perya and ferris wheel. Come to think of it, there might have been a perya, it's just that I wasn't able to go near the patio of the Catholic Church where the real action during town fiestas really happen.

My trip to Lucban was quite tiring but I had a nice time. 

My Unforgettable Experience in Batanes

It started with an innocent text to my former student at St. Mary's Academy in Baliuag, Bulacan who happens to be a friend also in Facebook. After browsing the album during their class reunion, I casually asked Leslie Pile-Yao if she's working with Cebu Pacific. She replied to my text and said that she is with SeAir which happens to fly to my dream destination which is of course, Batanes. To make the long story shorter, I was invited by Leslie to join their group for a visit to Batanes. It was because of my capacity as a school coordinator that Leslie invited me. I was too happy that turning down the invitation was not an option even if that meant that I would not be awarded for perfect attendance that school year. So the journey began on June 5, 2010.

Basco Airport

After more than an hour's travel by air (courtesy of SeAir, of course), we finally arrived at Basco Airport. The air was fresh but it was not nippy because winter (believe it or not) comes to Batanes around December and January. We were billeted at Batanes Seaside Lodge. Breakfast was served upon our arrival. Everybody enjoyed the local fish which was fried to perfection.

Yummy Breakfast

We didn't waste time after breakfast. The group immediately took the jeepney chartered to bring us around this God-blessed island. Our first stop was the chapel where the daughter of the current Budget Secretary, Butch Abad got married. The scenery around the chapel was already breath-taking and we haven't seen the rest!

View form the Chapel Window

The View from the Chapel Grounds

The Chapel renovated by the Abads

The rest of the morning was spent visiting the boulder beach and other beautiful places in Batanes. We went back to the Seaside Restaurant for a sumptuous lunch served to us by the ever hospitable and bubbly owner, Mrs. Lydia Roberto.

Sumptuous Lunch

Yummy!

In the afternoon, we went out again to visit the famous "Marlboro Country". The scenery was really amazing. For a first timer, one would really think that he may be somewhere outside the Philippines! Our ever-reliable tour guide, Ka Roger, took us also to a hidden spring but mind you, this is not for everyone especially those with athritis! We trekked for more than 2 hours but the effort was worth it!

with Leslie and Ms Sally

Marlboro Country

The pool with spring water

For our second day tour, we rode a banca that took us to Sabtang Island, another island in Batanes where we saw the beautiful Ivatan traditional stone houses. Another story we've previously heard about Batanes was that the Ivatan people are famously peace-loving, happy and hospitable. And we have proven it correct!

Inside a Traditional Ivatan House

what a view behind me

traditional stone houses

with an Ivatan girl

beautiful ark along sabtang beach

another line of stone houses

After our amazing tour of Sabtang Island, we went back to the main island to check on another famous landmark of Batanes - the Honesty Store. I saw for myself this store which is a testimony of how honest the people of Batanes are! Nobody mans the store. Anyone who needs something just have to help himself and leave his payment. If he happens to have a change, he has to return the following day to claim it, haha!

A day or two wouldn't be enough to see all of amazing Batanes. It is place where you need to stay longer to better appreciate its grandeur. There is something very spiritual about it, too. I don't know if it is because of the religion teacher in me or something else. One thing is sure, Batanes is one obvious reason why the Philippines is one amazing country to visit.

Fundacion Pacita

one of the beautiful light houses in Batanes

Boulder Beach

Fundacion Pacita

Thanks to SeAir and to my former student - Leslie Pile-Yao. And to my new friends - Ms. Sally, Ms. Sonia, Sir Edwin, Ms. Yas, Ms. Christine, Ms. Girlie, Ms. Jeslie, Ms. Heidi and Ms. Lhiza. Thanks to the staff of Seaside Resort: Ms. Lydia, Mark, Ate, Nelson and Ka Roger. I hope to visit Batanes again in the future.

Our Team