Food and history. That is the first thing that comes to mind whenever I hear of Quezon Province. Long before I heard of its equally popular Mt. Banahaw for its mysticism, the food and the old world experience of my friends who visited the province always had stood out in their stories.
I had the privilege to experience (finally!) all of these first hand thru the invitation of the Department of Tourism for a Culinary and Heritage tour of the beautiful Quezon Province. From Manila, we took the Laguna route to the province which is a 3 hour drive. The ride was a breeze as stories of what to expect made me even more excited.
Lush greens, historic churches, old houses and a very antique feel is what welcomed me as soon as we arrived. Vintage houses provided a blast-from-the-past experience that I only get to see in pictures and read in books. The streets of Lucban, Quezon still has beautiful Pahiyas decorations which are remnants of the recent Pahiyas fiesta, celebrated in the town every 15th of May. Various restaurants and rows upon rows of stalls surrounds the Lucban town plaza which offers a glimpse of the town’s spirit.
The food? It didn’t disappoint. We went to three towns of the province and each of thes towns has definitely something to boast. In Lucban, I got my first bite into the famous Pancit Habhab. Make sure to hoard on the pasalubongs from this town. From their famous Broas to Longanisang Lucban, the town offers all these and more. In Tayabas, various entrees were served before us. My personal favorite is the Sinugno, a coconut milk based dish that has grilled fish in it. Here, I’ve also learned, that because of their distance to Mt. Banahaw, fresh spring water is used in the homes in Tayabas and Lucban. They only pay, get this, 10php per month for water!
The heritage? There is definitely more to see. Our last stop on our tour is Sariaya, which is home to a number of ancestral houses. Here, I had a moment with one of the most beautiful houses I’ve ever seen. The Rodriguez Heritage house is said to have been used as headquarters during World War II but also a testament of the owner’s love for his wife. It is as historic as it is beautiful.
We also visited the Parish Church of Saint Francis de Assisi, a quaint basilica that has a beautiful tabernacle and a very solemn atmosphere. Here, I said my prayer of thanks for a beautiful day with the realization that I do live in a beautiful country.
Just when I thought we were done for the day, we were treated to one last food stop at the home of one of Quezon Province’s famous sons, Mr. Ugu Bigyan, a well known ceramic artist and a glorified chef. This is where I got my first taste of Kulao, a dish that is a must experience to visitors of Quezon.
Going around Quezon and experiencing its culture through food and the heritage gave me a deeper understanding of people who want to preserve their culture as much as they can. Quezon exemplified the importance of the past and keeping tradition well into the future. From our fleeting stay in the province, I learned that it will never lose its spirit because the people and the lingering traditions of the town are dedicated to preserving it.
To get there:
By Bus/public transportation
From Manila, take the Lucena, Quezon bound bus.
Regular commercial buses ply the three-hour Manila-Lucena route. Bus terminals are located along EDSA-Kamuning in Quezon City, Araneta Center in Cubao, Buendia-Taft Avenues and EDSA in Pasay City.
On Private Car
via South Luzon Expressway
From Manila, take the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and take the Calamba exit. Pass through the towns of Calamba, Los Baños, Bay, Victoria, Pila, Sta Cruz, Pagsanjan, Cavinti, Luisiana and then to the Province of Quezon.
Special thanks to the Department of Tourism for inviting us on this Culinary and Heritage trip to Quezon Province.
