Asia Pacific Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, Vol. 3, No. 4, November 2015 Part V _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 68 P-ISSN 2350-7756 | E-ISSN 2350-8442 | www.apjmr.com Unveiling the Mystical Lucban Pahiyas Festival Rufina C. Rosaroso (PhD) 1 , Nelson A. Rosaroso (PhD) 2 Cebu Normal University 1 , University of San Carlos 2 , Cebu City, Philippines raffycoronel@yahoo.com 1 , nelson_rosaroso@yahoo.com 2 Date Received: October 3, 2015; Date Revised: November 15, 2015 Asia Pacific Journal of Multidisciplinary Research Vol. 3 No. 4, 68-75 November 2015 Part V P-ISSN 2350-7756 E-ISSN 2350-8442 www.apjmr.com Abstract –This is an ethnographic study which described the local knowledge of the Lucbanin on Pahiyas. The generation of information on the local knowledge as described by the Lucbanin unfolded the natives‘ meanings in celebrating Philippine festivities such as Pahiyas Festival. Further, their cultural practices and beliefs, handed down from generation to generation served as contributory factors in the acquisition of local knowledge on Pahiyas, revealing its priceless and transcendent beauty. Triangulation was used in the study to analyze and interpret field notes based on participant observations, interviews and document/s analyses. Theme analysis was conducted concurrently with data gathering. Coding was used to classify and identify emerging themes/categories which provided extensive analysis of the data. Results revealed that oral traditions played significant contributions in the acquisition of local knowledge of the Lucbanins in the preparations and celebration of Pahiyas Festival .Oral traditions coupled with direct and participants’ observations, formal and informal education as well as folklore served as mystical instruments in the preservation and promotion of Lucbanins’ cultural and spiritual values and beliefs, keeping Pahiyas Festival as a moving and dynamic legacy throughout the years. The role of oral traditions as rooted in Lucbanins’ local history is a symbol of a true and genuine Lucbanin, entirely different from other locals in the country. Keywords –Pahiyas Festival, ethnography, triangulation, participant observations, theme analysis INTRODUCTION The introduction of Christianity among Filipinos redirected the existing local beliefs and practices into festivities commemorating the lives of saints. Christianity served as a catalyst in enculturation that was Westernized in nature. The festivities that emerged from the neo-religious orientation reflected the pagan characteristics and symbols of the natives’ practices. The religious practices were late integrated in the evolution of Philippine culture. They have implicated expression of thanksgiving to perceived sources of blessings and goodwill. Over the years, such practices have become integral components of Filipino religiosity and community involvement. The historical meanings have adopted with the evolving civilization. The Pahiyas Festival is an offshoot of a religious belief in Lucban, Quezon. Others believe that this was practiced during the historical moment of Lucban’s Christianization. When the colonizers came, they witnessed the aborigines’ way of showing thanksgiving to their anitos (gods). The friars, whose principal intention was to convert as much aborigines as possible, took the practice as an entry point of Christianization. Thus, the Spaniards have successfully converted a lot of Lucbannatives commonly called the Lucbanins. According to Tayao, PahiyasFestival is a way of giving thanks for a bountiful harvest [1] and a religious celebration in honor of San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of farmers. Further, Baldemor posited that Pahiyas Festival transforms the small town of Lucban from ordinary to exquisite sight [2]. For Ocampo, Pahiyas Festival is an amazing visual display where Lucbanins’ houses come alive with magnificent decorations of colorful kiping (rice wafers) arranged in layered chandeliers called arangya [3]. In addition, Mallari reiterated that Pahiyas Festival is the farmers’ appreciation of the farms’ yield and an even better production for the incoming years with its lavish display of multicolored “kiping,” fresh harvest and other native products showcased in every house façade along the procession route [4]. During the festival, Tayao disclosed that a procession passes through the assigned route with the