The Search for Lucban Longganisa

We spent Saturday afternoon (02 May 2009) in Lucban. I didn’t even realize that it was nearly an hour’s drive from Tayabas to Lucban. Originally, we had planned to spend only one night in Quezon. But somehow, I got to convince Chief, Issa, Nady and Aida to spend one night in Lucban. Both Rene and I had agreed earlier that this trip to Quezon was worth an extra night in Lucban!

Lucban is very near the footsteps of Mt. Banahaw. According to the 2007 census, the municipality has a population of 45,616. Lucban is famous around the world for the annual Pahiyas Festival which is held every May 15. But we would be missing that festival this year. Maybe, next year? My good friend, Nady, snapped this photo of my jump for Banahaw!

Along the way, we passed by Mt. Banahaw, which stands at 2,158 meters or 7,080 feet. This mountain is considered to be sacred, even enchanted. Even, talks of being “alien.” The word “banahaw” is close to the modern Tagalog words BANAL THAW which literally mean a holy being. That deserves a blog on its own. But here’s one photo I snapped.



It was late Saturday afternoon when we arrived at the town proper. Ryan Palad, our heritage resource expert in Tayabas, had recommended we stay at Casa Rizal. He said it was right at the center of the town. He was right. The only problem was parking. Shaq found a space front of Café San Luis, where we had a light snack after we had checked in at the hotel. Cost of room was 2,200 per day. Not bad. Much cheaper than the 3,200 per day at the aborted beach hotel in Tayabas.



There were a few patrons at Café San Luis. The turon was a best-seller here. But am not really used to a “tiny” turon. I like my turon long and wrapped well so that it is crunchy and the wrapper “breaks” as one takes a bite. It should also be flavored with langka.

Photo of turon bought by Rene Bernal and shared by everyone, courtesy of my Canon DSLR.

There wasn’t really much to see around the town this weekend, except the church and for me, the wet market. Am sure during the Pahiyas Weekend, this town would be more exciting and crowded!

The morning after, we hit the “palengke” and our search for the famous Lucban longganisa begun.



While Chief and Rene were buying longganisa at the corner store infront of the palengke, I snapped these longganisa pictures.


Any trip to Lucban would not be complete without the famous Lucban longanisaa. We bought more than enough for our families.



Makes you want to have breakfast with fried eggs and fried rice and... deep-fried Lucban longganisa!

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