Agawan festival (in English)

Note: go to foto's and click the link Agawan Festival in Sariaya for an impression.

On May 15, a few towns in Quezon province such as Lucban, Tayabas and Gumaca honor San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of harvest. Houses are decorated, camouflaged and beautified with native products, fruits, goodies/junk foods, etc. Everyone shows his own creativity to make the front of their houses colorful and attractive.

What makes Sariaya unique from other celebrating towns is the grabbing of goodies which is the essence of the parade. Aside from decorating the houses, bamboo trees known as bagakays are hanged with goodies and gifts. They are placed in fron of the houses. After the mass ends early in the afternoon, the church priest together with the people join the procession. After saint Sn. Isidro passes by, the bamboo poles are toppled down and people snatch the goodies hanged in bamboo. At the same time, people in the houses throw other goodies, money and fruits into the parade. It is a way of sharing one their blessings to others. The people also grab the decors hanged in front of the houses.

A typical Dutch wil enjoy this festivity a lot.