Mark your calendars! Here are some of the most energetic and most interesting festivals near Manila:
Pahiyas Festival – May 15 in Lucban, Quezon
Parada ng Lechon – June 24 in Balayan, Batangas
Higantes Festival – November 23 in Angono, Rizal
Giant Lantern Festival – Saturday before Christmas, San Fernando, Pampanga
Hot Air Balloon Fiesta – 3rd Week of February, Clark, Pampanga
Pahiyas Festival is my absolute favorite. It is a celebration of the good harvest, in honor of San Isidro de Labrador. A parade roams around town passing by houses that are creatively decorated with vegetables and kiping, a colorful ornament made from rice (and yes, they’re edible)! If you get hungry, there’s always longganisang Lucban and pansit habhab! Traffic can be as dense as your former boss so you might also consider staying overnight in Lucban or neighboring town.