Dayo: Byaheng Quezon
By: Cherrylyn E. Ilumin
Manila, Philippines
September 10, 2016
Quezon province is located on the north of the province of Aurora, west of the provinces of Laguna and Rizal, on the southwest of the province of Batangas and on the southeast of Camarines Norte and Camarines sur.
Quezon province or formerly known as “Tayabas” was explored by the Spaniards in 1571 and 1572 when Juan de Salcedo visited and explored upon the order of the first Spanish Governor General of the Philippines, Miguel Lopez de Legaspi. In September 7, 1946, President Manuel A. Roxas, by virtue of Republic Act No. 14, renamed the province to Quezon, in honor of the late president Manuel L. Quezon, the most illustrious son of Baler, formerly part of Quezon.
Come and join the Travelkadas to explore the beauty of the arts and culture of Quezon province!
FESTIVALS
One of the highlights of Quezon province’s cultural, historical and pilgrimage sites are tied up with its many monthly festivals which are usually based on the cultural and spiritual traditions of the residents of Quezon. The festivities are incorporated with the people’s belief of thanksgiving and blessing from God and their patron saints.
Pahiyas Festival
The feast of San Isidro or commonly known as the “Pahiyas Festival” is an annual religious celebration which honors the patron saint of farmers, San Isidro Labrador for a bountiful harvest.
The exterior of the house of the residents are decorated by brightly colored leaf ornaments known as kipping which is made of rice flour, as well as fruits, vegetables, and other crops along the processional route of the town. Giant dolls made of paper maché are also decorated along the way which depicts a farmer and his wife. They are both playing an important role in the lives of the people of Quezon.
Pahiyas Festival is considered as one of the most colorful and artistic harvest festival in the Philippines in which many tourists visit the place to have fun and celebrate with the event.
Pahiyas Festival is celebrated every 15th of the month of May in Lucban, Quezon.
Niyogyugan Festival
Niyogyugan Festival is the feast of coconut tree in the province. The coconut life or commonly known as the “niyog” tree has been the main product of Quezon.
Quezon province is a place for coconuts. With the abundant resources of coconut, it became its top agricultural product in the province. With the creativity and resourcefulness of the people, they make products made from coconuts such as buko pie, oil, lambanog, and tuba liquors.
The celebration of the festival aims to showcase the tree of life which has been the main source of income for most of the people of Quezon in the early part of the century. Its main objective is to “shake” the industry by featuring the culture, the traditions, and the values, everything that depicts the tree of life and how it affects the life of a typical resident.
Niyogyugan festival is celebrated every August in the capital of Quezon, Lucena, city.
TOURIST SPOTS & ATTRACTIONS
Mt. Banahaw
One of the breathtaking view that can be found at Quezon province, is the mysterious beauty of mount Banahaw.
The mountain is an inactive volcano which is considered as the highest mountain in Calabarzon district. The mountain is being visited by a lot of tourists who love to seek adventure such as hiking and trekking, and even those who seek to pray and repent.
Mt. Banahaw is not like any other mountain for it is also recognized as a “holy mountain” and considered it as sacred by many Filipinos especially by the residents of the province. During Lenten season, the mountain is visited by many pilgrims for it is religiously believed that god blessed the place.
Villa Escudero
Villa Escudero is an 800 hectares hacienda of working coconut plantation which is located in Tiaong, Quezon. It was built as a reminder how coconut has driven the development of the province.
Aside from its big plantation and waterfalls side floating restaurant, its biggest highlight is their museum which features the collection of fine colonial era antiques. It contains the private collection of the family from their local and international travels around the globe.
The Escudero family’s collection include religious artifacts, Chinese porcelain, antique furniture, ethnic clothing, world war ii relics, former Philippine presidents’ clothing, and Dr. Jose Rizal’s letters in his slum book.
The museum is located in the church of the plantation Hacienda Escudero which is a 3 – 4 hours drive from Manila.
Kamay ni Hesus
Kamay ni Hesus is a sacred ground to pray, a pilgrimage site to repent, and a sanctified place to thank God. It is a five-hectare shrine which is founded by the healing priest, Rev. Fr. Joey faller at Lucban, Quezon.
The place is famous for its Via Dolorosa grotto which is a 305 steps grotto to reach a 50 feet tall statue of the ascending Christ which is considered as the tallest risen Christ statue all over the world. Upon reaching the top of the grotto, a spectacular bird’s eye view of the town awaits you as a truly rewarding experience.
Aside from the famous grotto, Kamay ni Hesus Shrine also includes a healing church, Noah’s ark, Sea of Galilee, holy family park, and a pastoral center which people from different parts of country visits especially during Lenten season.
BEACH & ISLAND
Why go to expensive resorts that can be found at other parts of the Philippines when you can visit cheap white sand and clear water beaches here in Quezon?
Aside from historical heritage houses, amazing festivals, and old churches, Quezon province is also famous for its adventurous islands with clear blue water and creamed white sand beaches. The hidden paradise of Quezon is located at the southernmost part of the province wherein tourist will be accommodated with warm smiles of the residents.
Join the Travelkadas as they go island hopping in the province of Quezon.
Kuebang Lampas
Kuebang lampas is found at the end of the bay which is easily accessible through a short swim or a quick treck on the rocks.
It has a fine creamy white sand and clear blue waters that you will surely love. The beach is also famous for its small caves which is noticeably warmer than other parts of the waters of the cove.
Entrance fee for day tour is php 80.00 and php 160 for overnight stay with discounts to students and senior citizens.
Dampalitan Island
Dampalitan Island is a beach around Padre Burgos that has a long stretch of shoreline and a tropical island.
The island will bring you a relaxing beach experience since it is the least crowded beach that can be found. Moreover, the island is considered as the best spot to watch the sunset.
Entrance fee for day tour is Php 80.00 and Php 160 for overnight stay with discounts to students and senior citizens.
Borawan Island
Borawan Island is the most popular beach and island that can be found in Quezon.
The island’s name came from Boracay because of its white sand and Palawan for its breathtaking rock formations. The island is really beautiful and the water is purely clear where you can even see everything under the water.
Entrance fee for day tour is Php 150.00 and Php 220 for overnight stay with discounts to students and senior citizens.
FOODS & RESTUARANTS
The adventure experience won’t be complete without a foodtrip! Quezon province is also known for its delicious foods and extraordinary restaurants. Join the travelkada as they eat at some of best restaurants that can be found only at Quezon Province!
Buddy's Restuarant
Buddy’s restaurant is one of the most must try restaurant whenever you are in Lucban, Quezon. The restaurant was established in year 1991 with its best seller pancit Lucban.
The restaurant aims to give its customers a feel of what dining experience is in Lucban, Quezon. The interior and exterior design of the restaurant is all inspired by its very own Pahiyas Festival in which it is decorated with colorful chandeliers made of rice kiping, sunflowers, and indigenous products from Quezon.
Today, the restaurant expanded to 11 branches in Metro Manila and all over the Quezon, province.
Kamayan sa Palaisdaan
Kamayan sa Palaisdaan is the best place for those who loves seafood. The restaurant is located at Tayabas, Quezon.
Palaisdaan is known for its floating restaurant in which it is decorated in native design such as bamboo huts. Their best seller consists mostly of fish since Tayabas is known for their light and delicious seafood.
Today, Kamayan sa Palaisdaan expanded to have a resort and hotel. It offers function rooms for cocktail parties, conference, wedding, birthday, and other occasions.
Air Summit Gourmet
One of the coolest attraction today in Tayabas Quezon is the Air Summit Gourmet, an airplane restaurant own by the same owner of Kamayan sa Palaisdaan.
The restaurant will give you a full airplane flight experience as it accommodates you in an airport-like reservation lounge when you visit. The restaurant has a cozy high-class interior design complete with “costumed” flight stewardess waiter and waitresses.
The old scrap plane was bought in 2014 and the owners modified it to make it as a restaurant.
DELICACIES & PASALUBONG
Of course, before going back to Manila, it is important to bring pasalubong to our loved-ones. It has been Filipino’s lovely tradition and well known trait to give something upon our return from certain places. Aside from being known as a historic province and spiritual destination, Quezon province is also famous for its delicious pasalubongs.
Longganisang Lucban
Quezon province is known for its very famous .
Unlike any other longganisa, longganisang lucban is made of stronger garlic flavor and a bit of sour recipe.
It is one of the favorite breakfast of tourists who visit the province which is partnered with fried rice and egg.
Pancit Habhab
Pancit Habhab or commonly known as ‘pancit lucban’ is the popular pancit version of Quezon province.
The pancit is made of dried flour noodles which is commonly known as pancit miki. Unlike any other pancit, it has a softer texture.
Eating pancit habhab is not like eating other type of noodle dish. It is traditionally served in a banana leaf and people are not encouraged to use any eating utensils. People eat it directly through their mouth.
It is best eaten with a lot of onions and spicy vinegar on top.
Pinagong
Filipinos have its culture of giving unusual names to people, pets, and even food.
One of the most delicious bread that can be found in Quezon province is what they call “pinagong” which means shaped liked a turtle (pagong).
Pinagong is a sweet, dense, milky, and had a hard crunchy shell outside and a soft bread inside which has a delicious butter - jam aroma.
People said, pinagong originated from Sariaya, Quezon and it is a best afternoon snack in which good if served with hot coffee or chocolate.
Yema Cake
In Quezon province, cake is served even without a birthday celebration.
One of the best seller cake of Quezon province is the yema cake. A cake made by two layer creamy chiffon cake with milky custard frosting and cheese on top.
The milk custard is what they called yema, a chewy like candy made of condensed milk and egg yolks.
Today, yema cake is making its name to popularity among Filipino people.
Lambanog
Quezon province is known for its coconut product. With its people’s creativity and resourcefulness, they made various products from the same main ingredient – coconut.
One of the most popular coconut product of Quezon province is the lambanog, a coconut vodka which comes with different flavors to choose from.
As one of the culture and tradition of Filipinos specially those who lived in provinces, every time there is a special occasion, men relax together with their companions in a “tagayan” session in which each men take turns drinking shots from a cup.
Today, lambanog is being export to other parts of the world.
