Quezon: It Never Gets Old

Quezon City

There are some places in the world that never get old. They’re just so interesting. I wouldn’t mind visiting a couple of places that I have visited in the past, but that’s a different story all together. Not very far from Manila is the province of Quezon. Filled with beaches, festivals, good food, good people and the list goes of reasons on why you should visit the place goes on.

The place has a lot of interesting places particularly for people who love culture and the beach. Come and cross the zigzag rode and visit Quezon, come and visit Quezon City’s cousin.

The religious side of Quezon

Mt. Banahaw

Let’s start with Mount Banahaw. Villagers are lucky to be near this 7,382 feet- extinct volcano which is said to have mystical attributes which is why people visit the place during Holy Week. A place here called, Kinabuhayan is said to be where Jesus Christ spent his Calvary. (NOTE: This is only what others say, I’d rather not claim it to be a fact).

The second mystical site here is Ina ng Awa (Barangay Sta. Lucia, Dolores, Quezon). The place really separates you for a while from the world because it’s located inside caves, where it’s pretty dark. The caves are named after books from the Bible, probably a reflection of the religious side of this city.

There are also a couple of churches to choose from in Quezon. Let’s start with Parish Church of Saint Francis de Assisi (Sariraya, Quezon) since it’s the oldest (build in 1599). It was later destroyed due to floods, but was rebuilt at a different location in 1748. Located in Lucena City, is another religious site, St. Ferdinand Cathedral.

Manmade wonders

A little mermaid sits on a stone in the midst of the blue waters of Lamon Bay (near Maharlika Highway, Atimonan, and Quezon). Everyone, in their childhood, has entertained the fantasy of mythical creatures existing. Quezon has its own version of Denmark’s little mermaid sculpture. This brings magic to the place, as mermaids will always have special place in the child in us.

Another manmade relic is the Japanese tunnel (located at Barangay Matinik, Lopez, Quezon). To fill you in with a little bit of history, the Japanese were last of the colonizers of the Philippines (after the Spanish and the Americans).

Quezon now takes an interesting turn to a zigzag road.

If Paul McCartney sings about the long and winding road, Quezon has the zigzag road. I travelled this road before on my way to Bicol. The road is steep so you should be careful if your driving or tell your driver to be extra cautious. Still, it amazes me how they were able to construct as road as intricate as this one. Because of all the twist and turns of the road, this zigzag road is also known as Bituka ng Manok which means “intestine of the chicken” in English.

Pahiyas Festival in Lucban Town

For things to take with you after your trip, don’t forget to visit Lucban town. The town sells crafts and tasty delicacies. It is also famous for the colorful Pahiyas festival which I’m discussing later.

A whole lot more

Quezon has a lot of beaches as well, one of which is the Putting Buhangin Beach (White Sand Beach) which has its home at the Pagbilao Grande Area. Here, you can get a dose of the clear, blue sky, fresh water, coconut trees, and big and fluffy cumulus clouds. Experience this paradise located in the midst of Quezon.

Beach resorts await you as well at Tabayas Bay (Sariaya area), but if you would rather see more forms of water, it’s time to visit Quezon National Park. Here, caves, waterfalls, springs, creeks, gorges, and ravines will amaze you. While you’re here, you can also take time to appreciate different kinds of wildlife like monitor lizard, monkey, deer, wild pig, parrot, tarictic, calao, dove, pigeon, labuyo and jungle fowl.

And the adventure continues

I have said a lot but Quezon has a lot more in store. You can attend the Pahiyas Festival (feast of San Labrador). During this day (May 11-15), people decorate their homes with what’s commonly know as kiping (suman,, rice cakes, fruits and vegetables, rice grains and rice stalks, beautiful and rare flowers and ferns, native lanterns, even lechon.).

Filipinos can be quite creative and the Pahiyas is one way of showing it. Have fun and experience the fun loving hospitality of people in the Quezon. It’s pretty near Metro Manila so you can choose to visit Quezon in order to make the most of your visit in the Philippines.

It’s always nice to go province hopping, that way you get to experience subtly different cultures in country. Add Quezon to your list and experience a unique and memorable experience Quezon, the place that gets more interesting with age.

References:

1. Quezon retrieved on October 21 at www.wowphilippines.com
2. Quezon National Park retrieved on October 21 at www.world-wildlife-adventures.com

Quezon Travel Guide sources include Wikitravel and World66.