Natural Modishness: Pahiyas Costume Parade

This is the spectacular parade of costumes during the Pahiyas Festival, the costumes are made out of organic materials, native products especially the banig, abaka and of course the kipping or colorful rice wafers. The Philippines lakan and lakambini (Mister and Miss) genuinely smiles to all. The models graciously promotes the native products of Lucban, Quezon. The outfits are prolifically designed to entice tourists and townspeople with a great sense of appreciation for resourcefulness and creativity. It definitely exhibit that it is not actually the extravagance of clothing or materials that one wears but it is the inner beauty especially the heart that matters most. It is the inside such as one’s righteous outlook that creates extraordinary glow and grace to one’s splendor. This parade reflects the consistent harmony and realization of our direct connection with nature. That whatever labels and appearances we may have are all temporary but what is instilled in our hearts are eternal. Lucban, Quezon may have changed a lot considering the houses, the roads and the progress of education. However, the townspeople remains respectful of nature and embraces simple living with high thinking. I must say that they are highly disciplined in terms of environmental advocacy of not using plastics to any stores,shops and markets. They actually use recycled newspapers, bayong or native bags and baskets, just in case you need to buy tofu, meat or fish you have to bring your own container or else they won’t sell you anything no matter how much money you bring and offer to them.

The costume parade is not just a commercial thing but more so gives an impression of honor and dignity. The people has actually lived up with great principles in life passed on from one generation to the next. This is the extraordinary modishness that people have witnessed year after year.