Kamay Ni Hesus: Lucban's Holy Week Destination

Just in case you have no plans of going out far this Holy Week, but still wanted to see the country in a different way - a church and healing center in Lucban, Province of Quezon has been becoming a popular Holy Week destination since it was opened to the public in 2004. Fr. Joey A. Faller and some of his friends are behind this majestic Risen Christ grotto that you can only see at Kamay ni Hesus Healing Church.

I've been eyeing to visit this place since I heard of its miraculous works and truly inspiring story, and luckily, last year, I finally had the chance not only to see but do the Station of the Cross or Via Crucis by climbing its 305-step Via Dolorosa Grotto, where the world's 3rd tallest Risen Christ is standing. It is 50 feet in height, to be exact - and overseeing almost the whole lot of Lucban and its neighboring cities and municipalities.

But before we proceed to the Grotto, let me take you first to the other places of interests that you could find here inside Kamay ni Hesus Healing Church.

Loving Pahiyas Festival the Second Time Around...

Here in the Philippines, when you like and appreciate a place on your first visit, rest assured that you will love it the second time around. And that's what I felt as I revisit the humble yet colorful town of Lucban to experience and to drown again to the magical, creative and colorful world of Pahiyas Festival.

Usually, when a festival falls on a weekday, expect a low turnout of attendees. But here in Pahiyas, that was proven wrong, a proof that no matter what, Lucbanon, as well as devotees of San Pedro, pay their respect and give thanks to the patron saint who is behind all the bountiful harvest that the town or country had in the past year.

This is my second time here in this colorful festival, and though I'm honestly not expecting extravagance, I was overwhelmed by the unbelievable faith and devotion of Lucbanon to San Pedro. More than the colorful houses adorned by the "kipings" and vegetables that they just harvested, I had a wonderful time going around town and meeting the very accommodating people of Lucban - the most reason that made me love this place more.

The Pahiyas Festival 2011

One of my lifelong dreams is to visit Lucabn, Quezon and witness its' very colorful and vibrant Pahiyas Festival. Thanks to my blogger-friends Abe, Cathie, Flow and Ohmski for tagging me along to enjoy an overnight stay at this small but very happy city.

Pahiyas Festival is celebrated every 15th of May to give thanks to their patron saint San Isidro. And that week I and my friends drove down there to fee, see and taste this wonderful festivity.

The Night before Pahiyas....

It is so nice to see beautiful things - wonderful, colorful and unbelievable stuff that were created out mere imagination. But what excites me more in seeing these beautiful things are the time they are being made right in front of my eyes. And that's what I experienced the night before the Pahiyas Festival.

Since I learned about kiping, I can't help but to dream to be in Lucban, Quezon to witness its very delightful and colorful Pahiyas Festival. Thank God that I have friends like Abe, Cathie, Flow and Ohmski who tagged me along to see this year's Pahiyas.

After an almost 5-hour drive from Manila, we reached Lucban at around 6 o'clock in the evening. The traffic that we are expecting welcomed us as we reached the town center. There were a lot of people walking and enjoying the bazaars that were put up right in the middle of the streets.