It’s the merry month of May and it’s still a lethargic moment.
Something must be missing to make it a festive occasion two years in a row because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
We haven’t heard yet of a Pahiyas celebration—a pompous yet religious fete—from the Lucbanins (natives of Lucban, Quezon where the famous Pahiyas originated).
“Nakakalungkot na nakakainis. Wala pa ring Pahiyas na matao at masaya. Maaaring may espesyal na pagdiriwang pero limitado lang (It’s sad and annoying. There’s no Pahiyas yet of many happy people attending it because of health protocols. There might be special celebration but limited only),” sighed Delsie Marca Sabas, a resident of Lucban and producer of the doc film “Mystical Land: Lucban, The Story.”
Even the pabitin (dangling items like fruits, veggies etc. for grabs) hang on houses or street posts in many towns of Quezon aren’t in place yet. It’s only on a limited, physically distanced dining in Buddy’s that one sees the pabitin and the Pahiyas.
It’s already the dawn of the Feast of St. Isidore the Labrador who fiesta is celebrated every 15th of May but only the church people are concentrating on paying homage to the patron saint of farmers and fisher folk. The faithful must wait and see.
The Mayohan (an adjectivelized noun which means merrymaking in May) isn’t showing its frenzy yet like dancing in near and far barrios and villages in honor as well of St. Isidore on thanksgiving for bounty harvests from the seas and the soil. It might take some time to fully realize the month-long festival.
Hopefully, 2022 will be a return to the merriest May.