Lucena, Philippines

Lucena (, American Spanish: , European Spanish: ), officially known as the City of Lucena (), is a highly urbanized city situated in the Calabarzon region (Region IV-A) of the Philippines. The city is the largest urban center and capital of Quezon Province. The city also serves as a major hub for commerce, healthcare, education, and governance within the region.

Lucena City, although geographically situated within Quezon Province, is politically and administratively independent. This distinction enables it to govern itself without provincial oversight, giving it a unique status within the region.

Metro Lucena is a proposed metropolitan area that would encompass the highly urbanized city of Lucena and its surrounding municipalities, including Candelaria, Dolores, Lucban, Pagbilao, Sampaloc, San Antonio, Sariaya, Tayabas and Tiaong. This proposed region aims to consolidate the economic, cultural, and infrastructural resources of Lucena City and its neighboring towns to foster regional development, improve governance, and enhance the delivery of public services.

According to the 2020 census, Lucena City is home to 278,924 people.

History

Early history

In the 1570s, Captain Juan de Salcedo first explored what was then Kalilayan, later founded as a province in 1591. The Franciscan priests Juan de Plasencia and Diego de Oropesa between 1580 and 1583 founded its town, also named "Tayabas". Tayabas was organized by the Spaniards through the Franciscan missionaries and Lucena was just one of its barrios. Tayabas became the provincial capital in 1749, renaming the province after it.

The Spaniards of the 16th century called the area "Buenavista" because of its scenic beauty; several years later, the barrio was renamed "Oroquieta". A century later, Muslim pirates began terrorizing the entire Philippine coastline, including Oroquieta. The barrio folks built forts along the seashores to defend it against the attacking pirates along the coast, particularly in the present-day Cotta and in Barangay Mayao, though these structures are no longer extant.

Hence, the place became known as ''Cotta'', the Spanish form of the Tagalog ''kuta'' ('fort'). The growth of local maritime trade facilitated in the Cotta port and the final defeat of Moro pirates plying the Luzon and Visayan waters, afforded the growth of Lucena as a town which eventually led to its being the provincial capital of Tayabas in 1901.

Finally on November 3, 1879, a royal decree was issued and the Orden Superior Civil officially adopted the name "Lucena" in honor of a Spanish friar by the name of Father Mariano Granja, who came from Lucena, Córdoba in Andalucia, Spain. Fr. Granja was responsible for the development of the barrio that became a Parish in 1881. Lucena became an independent municipality on June 1, 1882.

During the 1896 Philippine Revolution, the people of Lucena showed their brand of patriotism. José Zaballero led the local revolutionists who were under the barrage of Spanish muskets. Later, Miguel Arguilles with Jose Barcelona as president formed a revolutionary government in Lucena.

After Aguinaldo proclaimed the nation's independence on June 12, 1898, Gen. Miguel Malvar, as Commanding General for Southern Luzon, took over Tayabas province on August 15, 1898. Don Crisanto Marquez became Lucena's first elected Municipal president during the first Philippine Republic.

Filipino-American War

Lucena was involved in the Philippine–American War and in the subsequent establishment of American civil governance in the country.

As the war between the United States and Filipino forces intensified, Lucena became an important strategic location, though it did not become a major battlefield.

In 1901, after the suppression of Filipino resistance, the Americans began reorganizing the local governance structure. This led to the eventual transfer of the provincial capital of Tayabas to Lucena on March 12, 1901. This shift was an important step in strengthening American control over the region and setting up civil governance.

The Americans valued Lucena's central location. It's accessibility and proximity to other towns in the province made it an ideal choice as the new administrative center.

During this time, Lucena saw further development with the introduction of newer infrastructure such as roads, schools, and government facilities, which contributed to the city's growth and modernization.

World War II

On December 27, 1941, the Japanese Imperial Forces captured the city of Lucena, an event locally known as "The Fall of Lucena," just 19 days after their initial invasion of the Philippines. The Japanese aimed to strengthen their military presence in the region, sending units to seize strategic locations within the town. Although the invasion was initially successful, the Japanese forces soon faced fierce resistance from local fighters and members of the Hunters ROTC, a group of Filipino guerilla fighters.

The underground resistance movement was tenacious. Japanese Forces would be caught off-guard with surprise assaults which often resulted in fierce close-quarters combat. These continuous assaults, coupled with significant logistical challenges, gradually took a heavy toll on the Japanese forces, undermining their control and weakening their presence in the region.

By January 25, 1945, the Hunters ROTC guerrillas had managed to penetrate the town. Leveraging their intimate knowledge of the local terrain, they moved swiftly to prevent the Japanese forces from organizing an effective defense. After a fierce and hard-fought offensive, the Filipino forces successfully expelled the Japanese from the city. In the aftermath, the people of Lucena strengthened their defenses in anticipation of a potential counterattack.

Later attempts by the Japanese to re-establish their occupation of Lucena failed.

Tayabas Province stood by and waited for the American Liberation forces and the Philippine Commonwealth troops, who would soon hand them their freedom on April 4, 1945.

Shortly after the war, Lucena began to rebuild, with efforts focused on restoring its infrastructure and reviving local industries.

Cityhood

Lucena was granted cityhood through the efforts of then-Congressman Manuel S. Enverga of Quezon's 1st district. Republic Act No. 3271 lapsed into law on June 17, 1961, despite not being signed by then-President Carlos P. Garcia. The city's formal inauguration and the induction of its first city officials, led by then-Mayor Castro Profugo, took place on August 20, 1961, as outlined in Section 90 of the Act. On July 1, 1991, Lucena was officially declared a highly urbanized city, granting it political and administrative independence from the province.

Geography

Lucena is situated south of Manila. The city proper is wedged between two rivers, Dumacaa River on the east and Iyam River on the west. Seven other rivers and six creeks serve as natural drainage for the city. Its port on the coast along Tayabas Bay is home to several boat and ferry lines operating and serving the sea lanes between Lucena and the different points in the region and as far as the Visayas.

Being the provincial capital and former Government Center of the former Southern Tagalog Region, Lucena is host to most of the branches of governmental agencies, businesses, banks and service facilities in the Southern Tagalog region.

Barangays

Lucena is politically subdivided into 33 barangays, as indicated below. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

*Barangay 1 (Poblacion)
*Barangay 2 (Poblacion)
*Barangay 3 (Poblacion)
*Barangay 4 (Poblacion)
*Barangay 5 (Poblacion)
*Barangay 6 (Poblacion)
*Barangay 7 (Poblacion)
*Barangay 8 (Poblacion)
*Barangay 9 (Poblacion)
*Barangay 10 (Poblacion)
*Barangay 11 (Poblacion)
*Barra
*Bocohan
*Cotta
*Gulang-Gulang
*Dalahican
*Domoit
*Ibabang Dupay
*Ibabang Iyam
*Ibabang Talim
*Ilayang Dupay
*Ilayang Iyam
*Ilayang Talim
*Isabang
*Market View
*Mayao Castillo
*Mayao Crossing
*Mayao Kanluran
*Mayao Parada
*Mayao Silangan
*Ransohan
*Salinas
*Talao-Talao

Climate

Lucena falls under ''Type III'' of the Corona's climatic classification system. It is characterized by no pronounced wet and dry seasons. Generally, the wet season is from June to November and sometimes extends up to December when the southwest monsoon is predominant. The dry season is from January to May but is sometimes interrupted by erratic rainfall. The annual mean temperature is , with February as the coldest month with temperatures dropping to , and May as the warmest month with temperatures reaching up to . Habagat monsoon winds pass through the province from June to October while northeasterly winds or Amihan blows through the islands from December to February.

Demographics

Economy

Retail and commerce

Economic activities in Lucena are heavily concentrated in the ''poblacion'' and other suburban barangays where the highly dense and constricted central business district (CBD) is home to a large cluster of different business enterprises. As population grows in tandem with new and promising business prospects, business activities spill over adjoining barangays, thus forming mini satellite commercial areas.

Other commercial strips are located in the ''poblacion'' and suburban barangays where both retail and wholesale trade, including other essential services, are being engaged in. Lucena City features SM City Lucena, the biggest mall in the city located in Ibabang Dupay, which is also one of the first SM Malls in Luzon. Other Shopping Centers include Pacific Mall Lucena (''Metro Gaisano Mall''), SM Savemore Agora, and Puregold Gulang-Gulang Lucena.

Industries

Big factories and warehouses are present in these suburban barangays like San Miguel Brewery, Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines, Inc., PepsiCo Philippines, Inc., Asia Brewery, Inc. Nestlé Philippines, and Ginebra San Miguel, Inc. (formerly La Tondeña Distillers Inc.), do business in sales, distribution, and transport of assorted business products in bulk.

Of the total land area of Lucena City, or cover the existing built-up area. Almost of this or cover the industrial section, located in different barangays of the city. These areas are home to significant industrial and manufacturing activities.

Industry in Lucena produces a sustainable amount of agro-industrial-based products, dried and smoked fish, distilled liquors, bamboo and rattan furniture, ornamental flowers/plants, vegetable as well as meat products.

Lucena is also known as the "Cocopalm City of the South". Nestled midst a wide expanse of coconut lands, Lucena has coconut oil mills which produce oil-based household products like cooking oil, soap, lard, margarine, and oil-based medicines. Exora Cooking Oil and Vegetable Lard and Miyami Cooking Oil are proudly made in this city. Tantuco Industries, JnJ Oil Industries, Inc., and Monaco Oil Company are some of the well-known coconut oil companies in the city.

Car assembly and manufacturing plants have also established in the city, while Manila-based car shops are starting to put up some branches like Toyota-Lucena, Isuzu-Lucena, Mitsubishi Lucena (Borromeo Motoring Group), and Foton Motor.

San Pedro Shipping Yard, a subsidiary of MSLI, is also located in Dalahican.

Places of interest

Lucena attracts a number of people thanks to its modern amenities, cultural landmarks, and strong transportation infrastructure. Well-connected by an extensive road network, the city is easily accessible from all major cities and towns in Luzon. A series of well-paved radial and bypass routes crisscross the area, facilitating the smooth flow of goods and services across the region, ensuring that the transport of merchandise, supplies, and raw materials happens efficiently around the clock. This robust connectivity supports Lucena's position as a key commercial and logistical hub in the region.

Among the city's most notable attractions is the Quezon Convention Center, a venue that has played host to a variety of high-profile events. This includes the 2004 SEABA Under-18 Championship qualifying tournament, which served as a qualifier for the 2004 FIBA Asia Under-18 Championship in India. The convention center is meant to highlight Lucena's ability to accommodate international and regional conferences, exhibitions, and sporting events.

Lucena is also home to several sports complexes. The ''Kalilayan Civic Centre'' and ''Sentro Pastoral Auditorium'' are popular for hosting a wide range of community and cultural events. The ''Alcala Sports Complex'' has hosted the Palarong Pambansa twice; first in 1976 and again in 1989, solidifying its place in the history of national sports events. The ''Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation Gymnasium'', ''Sacred Heart College Gymnasium'', and ''Marcial Punzalan Gymnasium'' further add to the city’s sporting infrastructure, providing spaces for local athletic events and recreational activities.

Another unique cultural site is the ''Lucena Cockpit Arena''. It is a key venue for traditional Filipino cockfighting, which remains a popular and longstanding cultural activity in the region. The arena offers visitors a chance to experience this time-honored Filipino tradition in a regulated setting.

The ''Lucena City Government Complex'' is another significant landmark in the city. The hub houses various government offices and serves as the center of political activity in Lucena. It plays a key role in the governance and public service delivery of the city.

Cultural and Civic Landmarks

* Quezon Convention Center
* Lucena City Promenade (Bonifacio Drive)
* PNR Lucena Station
* Port of Lucena

Religious and Spiritual Sites

* Saint Ferdinand Cathedral
* Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Churc

Historical Sites, Heritage Structures, and Ancestral Homes

* Cabana Ancestral House
* Calixto (Zaballero) Ancestral House
* Farmacia Chionglo
* Governor's Mansion
* Granja Panciteria
* Old Carlos Superdrug

Parks & Eco-tourism Sites

* Lucena Botanical Garden & Arboretum
* Perez Park
* Quezon National Park
* Talaba Eco Park

Culture

Festivals and celebrations

The city features various celebrations, and one of the most prominent is the festival of Pasayahan in Lucena.
Pasayahan sa Lucena is a secular festival conceptualized to showcase the natural and ecological interrelationship and independence between nature and man. This local festival is managed and hosted by the local government unit of Lucena. It also promotes the ways of life inherent among the people of Lucena. Entertainment, cuisine, social drinking, dancing, live music, arts, and other leisure activities are traditionally included in the Pasayahan Festival.

The Grand Parade of Pasayahan, also known as ''Mardi Gras'' among the city’s more senior residents, is the main highlight of the Pasayahan. It features a parade of enormous and vibrant floats made by the participating businesses and groups, as well as street dancing, marching bands, a Pandong (hat) competition, and a gay-friendly Carnival Queen competition.

The first Pasayahan in 1987 was a big triumph that it has become an annual affair. Year after year, the Pasayahan draws a sea of frolicking humanity. Pasayahan features the Chami Festival to promote Lucena’s very own native delicacies, the ''chami'' and ''tinapa''. Other features, such as the ''Binibining Pasayahan'', a street fashion show, a talent competition for LGBTQ youth, and other street concerts, take the stage in Pasayahan. Originally intended as three days of spirited merrymaking in the streets, the event has become a weeklong to monthlong tourist attraction.

The celebration also coincides with the Feast of St. Ferdinand, one of the patrons of the Catholic churches in Lucena, celebrated every 30 May.

Government

Local government

As a highly urbanized city, Lucena is independent of the province, but its residents are still allowed by Section 452-C of the Local Government Code of 1991 and its city charter (Republic Act No. 3271) to vote and run in provincial government elections. The provincial government have no political jurisdiction over local transactions of the city government. Residents of this city can also vote and run for provincial board and congressional positions as the city is part of Quezon's 2nd legislative district.

Pursuant to the Local Government Code of 1991, the city of Lucena is to be composed of a mayor (''Punong Lungsod''), a vice mayor (''Pangalawang Punong Lungsod'') and members (''Kagawad'') of the legislative branch Sangguniang Panlungsod alongside a secretary to the said legislature, all of which are elected to a three-year term and are eligible to run for three consecutive terms.

Barangays are also headed by elected officials: Barangay Chairman, Barangay Council, whose members are called Barangay Councilors. The barangays have SK federation which represents the barangay, headed by SK chairperson and whose members are called SK councilors. All officials are also elected every three years.

The current seat of the city government is the Lucena City Government Complex, located along Lucena Diversion Road in Barangay Mayao Kanluran, with some offices still located at the old Lucena City Hall in the ''poblacion''.

Elected officials

List of former chief executives

Head of the municipality during the Spanish occupation:
*Jorge Zaballero (1896) ''(Captain Municipal)''
*Crisanto Márquez ''(First Municipal President of Lucena)''

Municipal presidents during the American Civil Government:
*Gabriel Cord (1902–1903)
*Gregorio Márquez (1903–1904)
*Juan Carmona (1904–1906)
*Venancio Queblar (1906–1910)
*Feliciano Zoleta (1910–1912)
*Fortunato Álvarez (1912–1916)
*Pedro Nieva (1916–1919, 1919–1922)
*José Nava (1922–1925)
*Venancio Queblar (1925–1928)
*Domingo Gamboa (1928–1931)
*Fernando Barcelona (1931–1934)

Mayors under the Commonwealth Government:
*Federico V. Márquez (1940–1943)
*José Mendoza (1943–1944)
*Teotimo Atienza (1944–1945)

Acting mayors (after World War II):
*Julian Zoleta (April 1945)
*Federico Márquez (May 1945)
*Honorio Abadilla (October 1946)

Elected mayors:
*Amando Zaballero (1947–1952)
*Honorio Abadilla (1952–1955)
*Casto T. Profugo (1955–1960, 1961–1963)
*Mario L. Tagarao (1963–1967, 1967–1971, 1971–1981,1981–1986)
*Euclides Abecedê (May 1986 – November 1987) (appointed)
*Romeo Mendoza (December 4–7, 1987) (appointed)
*Julio T. Alzona (December 8, 1987 – February 7, 1988) (appointed)
*Cesar Zaballero (February 8, 1988 – June 1992)
*Ramon Y. Talaga, Jr. (1992–1995, 1995–1998)
*Bernard G. Tagarao (1998 – May 12, 2000)
*Ramon Y. Talaga, Jr. (May 13, 2000 – June 30, 2010)
*Barbara "Ruby" C. Talaga (2010 – October 2012)
*Roderick "Dondon" A. Alcala (November 2012 – 2022)
*Mark Don Victor B. Alcala (2022–Present)

;Notes

Infrastructure

Public Transportation

Land Transportation

Lucena City has a central transportation hub called the Lucena Grand Central Terminal (''Lucena GCT''), located along Lucena Diversion Road in Barangay Ilayang Dupay. The terminal also hosts the main offices of the Lucena City Land Transportation Office (LTO).

Buses connect Lucena to Pasay, Quezon City, and Alabang in Muntinlupa, while UV Express and van routes connect to Taytay, Pililla, eastern Laguna, and other parts of Quezon, including Bondoc Peninsula towns. Bus companies such as JAC Liner, Lucena Lines, JAM Liner, DLTBCo and Dela Rosa Bus Lines bring passengers to Manila and Lucena back and forth.

Lucena also has a wide network of jeepney routes, all emanating from the city proper (''Bayan'') and reaching out to the major barangays of the city, as well as nearby towns.

Thousands of tricycles also roam the streets of the city, bringing passengers right at their point of destination. Due to the large number of tricycles in the area, the local government introduced the Odd-Even Tricycle Reduction Program. Under this program, tricycles are assigned a strict color code to help reduce traffic. Green is designated for those operating in the morning, while yellow is reserved for the afternoon and evening.

The under-construction South Luzon Expressway ( SLEX) Toll Road 4 (TR-4) Extension from Calamba, Laguna will end in Lucena at the connection of Maharlika Highway at Barangay Mayao. There is an expressway project to Bicol planned to extend the South Luzon Expressway to Matnog, Sorsogon as SLEX Toll Road 5.

Taxis as also available within the city along with car rental services.

Aviation

There exists a Lucena Airport (known locally as ''Landing''), which is located west of the ''poblacion''. However, it is no longer usable as light aircraft can no longer make use of it and a road was built as an intersection during the presidency of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Railways

The Philippine National Railways (PNR) is on the process of rehabilitating the existing Manila- Bicol and Baguio- Bicol Railway Line, which includes stops in Quezon province, including PNR Lucena station, which traditionally then is a major loading and pick-up point for passengers and cargoes alike when the railway system was once the primary transportation mode going to Manila. Modern air-conditioned coaches will ply this route.

Despite undergoing renovation, Lucena station is still active, servicing passengers to and from San Pablo City daily.

Sea Transport

The Passenger Ferry Terminal in Lucena has RORO vessels that transport passengers across Tayabas Bay to Marinduque, Romblon and Masbate.

The Port of Lucena, located in Dalahican, is known as the gateway and melting pot city of Southern Luzon.

The port complex, built along the fishing village of Barangay Talao-Talao, is a kilometer away to the east of Dalahican Fishing Port. The total port area of TMO Lustacena is . Operational area of and commercial area of as delineated under Executive order No. 199 dated September 20, 1994, signed by then-President Fidel V. Ramos.

The port is accessible via the paved provincial road connecting the Dalahican Road and a rough causeway leading to the port. It is to Dalahican, and to Batangas City and sea distance to Manila is . Passenger ferry services include Montenegro Shipping Lines and Star Horse Shipping Lines.

Communication

Lucena City is served by landline and mobile phone companies like the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) and Digitel Telecommunications (PLDT-Digitel). Major mobile phone providers in the area include Globe, Smart, DITO Telecommunity, and Asian Vision. Wi-Fi providers like Converge ICT also operate within the city.

Hospitals

Lucena has private and public hospitals. Both types of institutions are considered to provide the same standard of healthcare and services, differing mainly with the medical and diagnostic facilities.

Here are the hospitals available in the city:

Education

Lucena City has numerous tertiary and secondary schools, including public and private. The tertiary education system in Lucena provides instruction and training in fields of study, both for baccalaureate degrees and vocational courses.

Institutions offering various degree programs including Liberal Arts, Arts and Sciences, Engineering, and Information Technology include the Lucena Campus of the Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation (MSEUF), Sacred Heart College (''Lucena''), Maryhill College, Southern Luzon State University, St. Anne College Lucena, ABE International College of Business and Economics, Philtech Institute of Arts and Technology Inc. (PIAT), Columbus College-Lucena, AMA Computer College-Lucena, and STI College Lucena.

Aside from tertiary schools, the city also has an expanse footprint on the pre-school, primary and secondary levels of education, both in public and private schools. This includes, but is not limited to, the Holy Rosary Catholic School (HRCS), Bristol Integrated School, Infant Jesus Montessori Center Philippines (IJMCP), St. Philomena School, and the International School for Better Beginnings (ISBB).

Additionally, there are numerous day-care centers found all over the city.

Notable personalities

* Bonifacio Bosita – Filipino politician; former 1-Rider Partylist representative and 2025 Philippine senatorial candidate.
* Encarnacion Alzona – Renowned historian and National Scientist of the Philippines. She served as the chairwoman of the National Historical Commission from 1966 to 1967 and was the first Filipino woman to earn a Ph.D.
* Fides Cuyugan-Asensio – National Artist of the Philippines for Music; widely acclaimed for her contributions to the cultural and musical landscape of the nation.
*Jenny Miller – TV & film actress.
* Jessie Dellosa – The 43rd Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines; distinguished military leader.
* Mau Marcelo – The inaugural winner of Philippine Idol.
* Neil Ryan Sese – Film and theatre actor; earned recognition for his versatile and impactful performances across various media.
* Nilo Alcala – Filipino composer; won the 2019 American Prize in Composition. Alcala is the first Philippine-born composer to be commissioned by the Grammy Award-winning Los Angeles Master Chorale and to receive the Aaron Copland House Residency Award. In 2021, he was named ''Natatanging Lucenahin''.
* Paz Márquez-Benítez – Filipina short-story writer; celebrated for her literary contributions.
* Proceso Alcala – Filipino politician and 12th Secretary of the Department of Agriculture.
*Zaijian Jaranilla – Filipino actor best known for his portrayal of the orphan Santino in the hit ABS-CBN teleserye ''May Bukas Pa'' (2009–2010).
* Zymic Jaranilla – The sibling of actor Zaijian Jaranilla; contract artist with the GMA Network.

Sister cities

* Tayabas City, Philippines
* General Santos, Philippines
* Calabanga, Camarines Sur, Philippines
* Cabanatuan, Philippines

References

External links

* Philippine Standard Geographic Codebr>Philippine Census Information

{{Authority control

Cities in Quezon
Highly urbanized cities in the Philippines
Port cities and towns in the Philippines
Provincial capitals of the Philippines
Populated places established in 1882
1882 establishments in the Philippines