SUNDAY VIDEO FEATURE: Pahiyas not complete without carabao parade

LUCBAN, Quezon -- Being a festival meant to give thanks for a bountiful harvest, Lucban, Quezon’s Pahiyas will never be complete without parading some of its main stars — the carabaos.

These beasts of burden are the partners of farmers in their daily work, and a rich agricultural produce won’t be possible without their help. Their role in farming makes them one of the stars of Pahiyas.

The carabao parade is considered one of the highlights of the annual festival. Carabaos of all sizes traverse the designated Pahiyas route while drawing heavily decorated sleds, locally known as carozzas.

According to Rodolfo Maragay, a native of Lucban, the inclusion of carabao parades in Pahiyas dates back to 1978 — with the purpose of making the festival more lively. Farms in Lucban must have their respective entries, for which they are given cash incentives by their kapitan del barrio in return.

Prior to the parade, the carabaos are cleaned, shaved and oiled. They are then adorned with ribbons and other colorful decorations. Children may also ride the carrozas that the carabaos pull.

The handlers of the carabaos will even make the beasts kneel once they pass by the front the town’s church — mainly as a gesture of honoring San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of farmers to whom the Pahiyas is dedicated. The local priest will then bless each carabao.

Besides the Pahiyas in Lucban, several other festivals in the country also showcase carabao parades. These include the Carabao Festival in Pulilan, Bulacan, the Binuyugan Festival in Saranggani, and the Katigbawan Festival Catigbian, Bohol.