02/06/2026
๐ค๐จ๐๐ญ๐ข๐ก ๐ฃ๐ฅ๐ข๐ฉ๐๐ก๐๐ ๐๐๐ฆ๐ง๐๐ฉ๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐๐ก๐ ๐ฉ๐๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐๐ฉ๐ข๐ก๐ ๐ฆ๐๐๐ข๐ก๐๐๐ฅ๐ฌ ๐ฆ๐๐๐ข๐ข๐'๐ฆ ๐๐ก๐ง๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ง๐๐ฉ๐ ๐ฉ๐๐ฆ๐๐ง ๐ง๐ข ๐ง๐๐ ๐ฃ๐๐๐๐๐ฃ๐ฃ๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฌ
In celebration of National Heritage Month in May, the Philippine Embassy in Vientiane welcomed students and teachers from Virathavone Secondary School on 29 May 2026 for a cultural learning activity featuring the Pahiyas Festival of Lucban,Quezon and the Mayohan Festival of Tayabas City.
In her welcome remarks, Ambassador Elizabeth T. Te highlighted the importance of preserving and promoting the Philippines' rich cultural heritage and traditions, noting that National Heritage Month serves as an opportunity to deepen appreciation for the customs, practices, and shared histories that shape Filipino identity.
The activity featured virtual presentations by Ms. Maria Jenifer L. Babat, Tourism Operations Officer of Lucban, Quezon, and Mr. Koko P. Pataunia, Supervising Tourism Operations Officer of Tayabas City, who introduced participants to two of Quezon Province's most celebrated cultural festivals.
Known for its colorful displays of kiping, fruits, vegetables, and agricultural produce adorning homes throughout the town, the Pahiyas Festival is a thanksgiving celebration honoring San Isidro Labrador, patron saint of farmers, and reflects the values of gratitude, creativity, and bayanihan. The Mayohan Festival, meanwhile, highlights Tayabas City's rich heritage, enduring faith, and strong sense of community.
Students and teachers actively participated in the discussion and gained insights into how local traditions, faith, agriculture, and community life continue to shape cultural identity in different parts of the Philippines. Participants also sampled suman, fried kiping, and tableya hot chocolate. An arangya ornament made of kiping and sourced from Lucban was displayed during the activity, while students received do-it-yourself kits to create their own arangya.
The activity provided an opportunity for exchanges between the Embassy and the participants, encouraging understanding and appreciation of Philippine culture among Lao youth.