Melo Villareal
Top Tourist Spots and Best Things To Do In Lucban, Quezon
Lucban, situated at the foot of Mt. Banahaw in Quezon province, Philippines is a second-class municipality; as of 2020, there are 53,091 residents.
They say that Lucban got its name from the lukban or pomelo tree. The story goes when three hunters, namely Marcos Tigla, Luis Gamba, and Lucas Manawa from Majayjay, got lost when they followed the trail of wild animals at the foot of Mt. Banahaw; they rested under a tree but saw a crow which they believed was a bad omen, so they moved to a different spot and rested there. They rested under a large pomelo (lukban) and heard some kingfishers singing. The sounds were beautiful to them, and they took that as a sign of good fortune, so that’s where they settled hence the name “Lucban.”
During the Japanese occupation, the Japanese soldiers attacked and colonized the town of Lucban. Still, on December 26, 1941, the Filipino and American troops fought for Barrio Piis, and the Japanese attackers moved to the Bataan Peninsula instead. During colonization, the Japanese forces inhabited the town and built a military barrack.
Besides its colorful and somewhat tragic history, Lucban boasts of different spots, festivals, food, and even a church you can visit, try and enjoy.
See Pahiyas Festival
No visit to Lucban will ever be complete without celebrating Pahiyas with the locals. This annual harvest festival and the feast of San Isidro is the town’s most significant event, where locals cover their whole houses with fruits, vegetables, and vivid adornments made from multi-colored rice starch called kiping. There are also giant papier-mache sculptures paraded all throughout the area.
Pahiyas Festival takes place every May 15.
Eat Pancit Habhab
Pancit habhab is similar to pancit canton, but they actually use Miki Lucban, and this pancit is very popular in many parts of the Philippines, especially Metro Manila. Traditionally, people eat pancit habhab, served on banana leaves using their hands. The typical pancit habhab consists of pork belly, shrimp, pig’s liver, chayote, bok choy (pechay), snap peas, onions, and garlic.
It is usually cheap during Pahiyas Festival, where you can buy it for only 15php for a merienda (snack) sized serving.
Try Out Their Lucban Longganisa
If you absolutely love a strong garlic taste and aroma, then you will love Lucban longganisa. You can try this together with fried rice and egg just like any longsilog meal, which is well-liked nationwide.
You can also use vinegar as a condiment and counter the saltiness, and because longganisa is a preserved food, it has a longer shelf-life, so you can bring some with you when you go home.
Kamay Ni Hesus
Going to places like this brings you closer than you already are to God. People flock to Kamay ni Jesus because they conduct healing masses, giving them a chance to be closer to God because of the beautiful scenery in this place.
They hold their healing masses every Sunday, Wednesday, and Saturday. There is also a 50-foot statue of the Ascending Christ and Stations of the Cross; this is truly a place of pilgrimage.
Kiping
Okay, this may seem childish, but don’t miss out on these leaf-shaped rice delicacies similar to the wafer. This is also the same kiping they use to decorate their houses during Pahiyas Festival. Because kiping can taste very bland, they sprinkle it with sugar when serving.
San Luis Obispo Parish Church
If you always make sure to visit at least one church when on vacation, you must go to San Luis Obispo Church. This is one of the oldest churches in the Philippines, dating back to 1595. In 1737, it was rebuilt when it was destroyed by fire.
Its baroque interior is beautifully painted, but the equally appealing outside has a gothic look. There are Corinthian columns and statues of a saint and a three-story bell tower.
Café San Luis
After a busy stroll, you’d most definitely want a night chill in a cozy café, and Café San Luis is the place to be. They have alcoholic drinks as well as non-alcoholic ones.
They have a mix of everything from rice meals to sandwiches to sweets, so there’s something that you can try, and the best thing is that they’re reasonably priced.
Location: San Luis cor. Regidor Streets, 4328 Lucban, Quezon.
How to get to Lucban, Quezon
Here are some ways to get there:
By Car:
You can take the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and the Calamba exit. From there, take the national highway going to Lucena City. Once you reach Lucena City, turn right at the Lucena Grand Central Terminal and take the Lucena-Tayabas Road. Follow the road signs and turn left at the junction leading to Lucban.
By Bus:
You can take a bus from Manila to Lucena City. From there, take a jeepney or van bound for Lucban. Alternatively, some bus companies have direct trips to Lucban.
By Private Van:
You can also hire a private van or car to take you directly to Lucban from Manila or other nearby cities.
By Motorcycle:
If you have a motorcycle, you can also take the SLEX and the Calamba exit. From there, take the national highway to Lucena City and turn right at the junction to Lucban. Motorcycles that are registered with a 400cc displacement or greater are deemed expressway-legal.
Planning your trip in advance is always a good idea, especially if traveling during peak season or festivals like the Pahiyas Festival in Lucban, usually in May.
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Also Read:
- List of Resorts in Lucban Quezon
- Top 15 Summer Destinations Near Metro Manila
- Traveling for Food: The Filipino Foodie Map
- Top 7 Airbnbs in Lucban, Quezon for Your Weekend Getaway
- Authentic Lucban Dinner at Buddy’s Pancit Lucban
