Located southeast of Metro Manila, Quezon is one the steadily progressing provinces in the Philippines. The province, which was named after the country's second president, Manuel L. Quezon, is rich in agricultural lands and is blessed with natural wonders such as the Mt. Banahaw. Though the province greatly depends on farming, its tourism sector is steadily becoming a booming industry.

Best Time To Visit

Summer is the ideal time to roam around Quezon Province, which is home to the colorful Pahiyas Festival in Lucban. The weather from March to May is also conducive to climb Mt. Banahaw, one the active volcanoes in the country. However, this majestic mountain has been temporarily closed to public as part of conservation efforts in the province.

The following are some of the famous tourist attractions in Quezon.

Pahiyas Festival

Celebrated on the 15th day of May, this annual festival in Lucban is one of the famous summer events in the country. Every year, residents of the second-class municipality decorate their homes with colorful rice ornaments called kiping. Pahiyas is held in honor of St. Isidore, the patron saints of farmers, for a bountiful harvest and endless blessings. A similar festival is also held yearly in Sariaya.

Mt. Banahaw

Towering more than 7,000 feet above sea level, Mt. Banahaw is one of the favorite destinations of mountaineers in the country. Hiking activities on the "sacred" mountain peak during the Holy Week. Religious faithfuls are also a regular scene at Mt. Banahaw during the Lenten season. They usually gather in the "Kweba ng Diyos Ama" and the Kinabuhayan spring, which allegedly has curative powers.

Mayohan sa Tayabas

Another famous festival in Quezon is the Mayohan sa Tayabas. This ten-day event, which kicks off on May 6, is more than just a gastronomic treat for both local residents and tourists. Aside from the grab-all-you-can affair with suman, the festival celebrates the city's rich historical past by holding parades, exhibits, and tiangges.

Kamay ni Hesus Healing Center

The construction of the Kamay ni Hesus Healing Center in Lucban in 2004 gave birth to the pilgrimage tourism in Quezon. This place of worship is frequented by pilgrims from various parts of the country and abroad in hopes of getting their ailments cured. A side attraction at the centre is a grotto built of top of a hill where a 50-foot statue of Jesus Christ is mounted.

Sariaya Beach

Quezon also has its share of the finest beach resorts in the Philippines. In Sariaya, a first-class municipality on the southeastern side of the provincial capital Lucena, is home to the province's famous beaches. A number of accommodations have scattered near the seaside, providing affordable and quality vacation packages for tourists. Sariaya is also famous for its heritage houses.

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Allan Leandro Merin has been writing for a living since 2008. After leaving a career at a daily electronic newspaper, he joined a web development outsourcing company and linked up with Local Philippines, the most comprehensive online directory of Philippine destinations, events, and attractions http://www.localphilippines.com/.