The ambassadors of Saudi Arabia Mohammed Ameen Wali, Pham Thi Quinh Trang of Germany, Cosetta Cassin Fedele of Italy, Ning Chesnel of France, In May of Cambodia, Ramon Rechebei of Palau, Mohammed Yesser Elshawaf of Egypt, Rajeet Mitter of India, Aloy N. Ratnayake of Sri Lanka, Falih H. Al-Assado of Iraq, Jorge Rey Jimenez of Cuba, and Venezuelan ambassador Manuel Perez Iturbe were among the participants of the said tour. An itinerary was set for the special guests to experience Quezon’s "Quintessential Mystique" and to witness the colorful celebration of the Pahiyas festival.

Quintessential Mystique

An array of sights, sounds, and unique experiences awaited the ambassadors in Quezon.

Because of its proximity to Metro Manila, Quezon province serves as a gateway of sorts to the south.

The province is the country’s leading producer of coconuts and coconut byproducts such as virgin coconut oil. It is also home to original scrumptious delicacies which the guests were able to try such as the one-of-a-kind pancit habhab and other pastries.

First destination was Tiaong, home to a world full of heritage and culture, Villa Escudero. The guests were treated to light snacks and were greeted and toured by Conrado Escudero, general manager of Villa Escudero. Villa Escudero Plantations and Resort is a self-contained working plantation dating back to the 1800’s.

The group then proceeded to Kusina Salud Restaurant for lunch where the enticing food was greatly complemented by the restaurant’s unique ambience. The ambassadors tasted house specialties which were mostly composed of fresh vegetables cooked and presented in the way only Kusina Salud can.

Culture, Color and Kiping  

The day before the actual Pahiyas festival, the bright colors of kiping were already on display for the special guests. Being one of the biggest festivals in the Southern Tagalog Region, the Pahiyas Festival honors San Isidro de Labrador, the patron saint of workers, farmers, and laborers. Homes are decked using indigenous materials, the basic material being kiping, a paper thin and leaf-shaped wafer; assorted farm produce, and delicacies presented in the most elaborate way through lively colors.

Upon arriving in Lucban, the ambassadors were obviously stunned by the color and visual splendor of the Pahiyas Festival. The guests, including Sec. Durano, were later entertained by a splashy parade. Children garbed in show-stopping costumes interpreted the various legends of the Pahiyas through dance.

Aside from this colorful celebration, the group also explored the Lucban fair, where the special guests shopped for local delicacies, arts and crafts, and forest blooms.

Ultimately, the tour provided the chance for the ambassadors, the other foreign guests, and local visitors to appreciate the cultural expression of this unique observance, which has become one of the most popular festivals in the country.