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F E S T I V A L S E A S O N
Pahiyas
Pahiyas in Lucban, Quezon is a brilliantly
colorful celebration in honor of San Isidro de
Labrador, patron saint of farmers. In mid-May,
the residents mark the agricultural abundance
by decorating their homes with produce,
fruits, flowers and “chandeliers” — blooms of
kiping,
a thin wafer made of rice dough and
dyed with tropical hues.
At the heart of the fiesta is the procession,
where the images of San Isidro and his wife
pass through town and bestow blessings
for another good year. As the end of the
procession passes each home, there is a
mad scramble to remove or tear down the
decorations — a tradition called
kalas
—
which embodies the event’s joyful spirit.
Pintados
Pintados is celebrated at the end of every June
in Tacloban City, Leyte; it honors the ancient
Visayan warriors who sported fierce tattoos from
head to foot and who were called
pintados
by
the Spaniards. The tattoos signified their status in
the community, victory in battle and a tribute to
the gods. The Spanish friars banned tattooing in
order to quash the indigenous belief system and
establish the Christian faith. Fortunately, they did
not manage to erase the spirit of fun.
Today’s festival features dancers with designs
painted on their bodies, and includes honoring
the Santo Niño. Pintados is a showcase for the
annual ritual dance presentation as well, which
reflects Leyte’s rich culture with folk dancing,
music and epic chants. But the big parade, which
crosses Tacloban City, is the main event, where
anyone — painted or unpainted — can dance in
the streets.