LUCENA

lucena

History

Lucena City was originally a barrio of Tayabas town, then the capital of the Province of Tayabas (now Quezon) which was explored by Captain Juan de Salcedo in 1571 & 1572. The town was founded by the Franciscan fathers, Juan de Plasencia & Diego de Oropesa between 1580 & 1583.

It was then called by the Spaniards "Buenavista" (beautiful scenic spots) because of its awe-inspiring scenic beauty.

It was then changed to "Oroquieta" in honor of the Spanish Gov-Gen. Oroquieta. Then in the 17th Century it was changed to "Cotta" meaning a strong fort because forts or cottas were built to defend it from Muslim piratical raids. Spanish records mention the existence of cottas (Tagalog: kuta) along the coast of Lucena, particularly in Cotta itself and in the Barrio of Mayao, though these structures are no longer extant. Finally, on November 5, 1897, pursuant to an Orden Real Superior Civil, the community was named "Lucena." It became an independent municipality on June 1, 1882, coinciding with the growth of local maritime trade facilitated in the Cotta port and with the final defeat of Moro pirates plying the Luzon and Visayan waters.

Popular knowledge attribute the origin of the name "Lucena" to the town of Lucena, Andalucia where the late Reverend Mariano Granja, the Franciscan pioneer parish priest was said to have earlier served (some even say that he was from this town). But according to the monumental work (Catalogo Biografico de los Religiosos Franciscanos de la Provincia de San Gregorio Magno de Filipinas), of a fellow Franciscan, Eusebio Gomez Platero, Fr. Granja was born in Paredes de Nava, diocese of Palencia, distant from Andalucia. Records also show that he had no previous post as priest of Lucena, Andalucia.

During the Philippine Revolution in 1896, the captain municipal of Lucena, Jose Zaballero, led the local revolutionaries. However, the local revolutionary government was organized by Manuel Argüelles, with José Barcelona as president. After the declaration of Philippine Independence, Gen. Malvar took over Tayabas Province on Aug. 15, 1898. Don Crisanto Marquez was elected municipal president during the first elections.

Lucena was the site of bloody struggles at the outbreak of the Filipino-American War in 1899. Upon the establishment of a civil government in the Province of Tayabas by the Americans on March 12, 1901, Lucena was made capital of the province after a bitter debate between Tayabas-born and Lucena-based officials. The decision to make Lucena as capital was primarily based on its strategic location. Unlike the former capital town (Tayabas), Lucena has access to the sea.

During WW II, Lucena was not spared from the grim realities of war at the hands of the Japanese who occupied the city on Dec. 27, 1941. Fortunately, however, the city was not devastated by the war. The Hunter ROTC guerillas succeeded in driving out the Japanese on January 25, 1945. Quezon Province was formally liberated by the Filipino & American troops on April 4, 1945.

On June 17, 1961 by virtue of Republic Act No. 3271, sponsored by Cong. Manuel S. Enverga & Cong. Pascual Espinosa, Lucena became a chartered city. The City of Lucena was inaugurated on Aug. 20, 1962 after the occasion of the 84th birth anniversary of the late Pres. Manuel L. Quezon during Aug. 19.

Today Lucena is home to a population of 220,834 people (as of 2005) and is fast flourishing as an urban community and planning to build an Economic Zone.

Government

City officials

• Mayor: Hon. Ramon Y. Talaga Jr.
• Vice Mayor: Hon. Philip M. Castillo
• Councilors:
  • Ramil C. Talaga
  • Clarinda S. Cabana
  • Atty. Ferdinand N. Talabong
  • Benito J. Brizuela
  • Danilo B. Faller
  • Michael C. Dalida
  • Felix F. Avillo
  • Americo Q. Lacerna
  • Simon B. Aldovino Jr.
  • Wilfredo F. Asilo, Ph.D.
  • Marcelo C. Magadia -ABC PRESIDENT
  • Mikael Sandino T. Andrey - SK FEDERATION PRESIDENT

Economic Activities

Economic activities in Lucena are heavily concentrated in the poblacion and other sub-urban barangays where the highly densed 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 at 10 suburban barangays where both retail and wholesale trade, including other essential services, are being engaged in. Big commercial depots and warehouses in these suburban barangays do business in sales, distribution, and transport of assorted business products in bulk.

Of the total 8,316.90 hectare land area of Lucena City, 19 percent or 1,651.77 hectares cover the existing built up area. Almost 3% of this or 46.62 hectares 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.

Nestled amidst 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.The well known JnJ Oil, Exora cooking oil and Vegetable lard, Miyami Cooking Oil are proudly made in this city.^{[citation needed]} Car assembly/manufacturing plants have also established in the city turning out quality vehicles and accessories while Manila-based car shops are starting to put up some branches.

Road network provides access from all key cities and towns in the island of Luzon to this highly urbanized capital. Well-paved radial and by-pass routes criss-crossing in and out of the city facilitate the transport of unlimited assortment of merchandise, supplies, and raw materials to and from the city on a round-the-clock basis.

Over the years, it was observed that a growing number of visitors from other places come to Lucena. Travelers of various types and sizes are drawn to Lucena because of modern facilities and good amenities that could be found in the city such as Quezon Convention Center, Kalilayan Civic Centre, Sentro Pastoral Auditorium, Alcala Sports Complex a two time host of a Palarong Pambansa, Manuel S. Enverga Gymnasium, and Sacred Heart College Gym and Marcial Punzalan Gymnasium.

Places Lucena

More Places Natural areas (3) Castels (1) Churches and Convents (3)

Natural areas Lucena Natural Place Embalse del Malpasillo Lucena	This NAtural Place is located between the provinces of Córdoba and Seville. Is declared as Special protection of Birds.
Natural areas Lucena Natural Reserve Laguna Amarga Lucena	Su principal característica es la elevada cantidad de sulfato de magnesio presente en sus aguas; esta agua le llega a la laguna de forma subterránea, aunque también se nutre de agua de escorrentía y de lluvías. Zona de Especial Protección para las Aves.
Natural areas Lucena Aras Mountain Range Lucena	Located about 6 kilometers to the south of Lucena, on which the sanctuary of the Virgin of Araceli, pattern of the City, is based. It is well-known to lodge one of the main paleontological deposits of the province: The Cave of the Angel.
Churches and Convents Lucena Iglesia de San Mateo Plaza Nueva 1 14900 Lucena Tlf: 95 751.32.82	Mixing the Gothic and Renaissance styles, this church was probably built with the help of Hernán Ruiz I and II on the site of a former mosque.
Churches and Convents Lucena Nuestra Señora de Araceli Hermitage Lucena	Is located in Lucena surroundings area. Built in XVII, was transformed in a baroque temple. Highlited is its interior.
Castels Lucena Castillo del Moral CP 151 14900 Lucena	Only two towers remain of the medieval fortress, which has been often changed. They say that Boabdil was held prisoner in the great octagonal tower. The square tower (Torre de las Damas) was once the keep.
Churches and Convents Lucena Iglesia de Santiago Lucena To Lucena Quezon Our trip to Lucena, Quezon Province, Philippines _ With things organized I will be able to have thing's I need without going through bags and having to take them all in at new Hotels End of North Luzon Expressway owned and run by the Australians End North Luzon Expressway. Alaminos City going from Manila to Lucena City. San Pablo City going to Lucena City. Welcome sign of Quezon Province. A Road going Quezon Province. Other Street of Lucena City proper. Phil talking to a guy in the Rain about a hotel. Phil in the Rain after Checking a Hotel in Lucena city. Asking to a Man about the Road going back to Queen Margaritte because we are Planning to stay in Halina Hotel that are in Down Town of Lucena but it is Horibble. Man is telling Loida about the Road going to Queen Margaritte because we are in a bigTown of Lucena. Beautiful Front Yard of Queen Margaritte Hotel in Lucena City. Phil going inside to ask about Hotel Rooms where we can stay for one Night. Margaritte is a Big Hotel they got Swimming Pool, Internet Cafe about 50 pesos per night, Big Function Room and some other thing's that the Guest needs. Queen Margaritte's Right side of the Building. Parking area of Queen's Margaritte Hotel. This is Queen Margaritte's Double Bed which is about 2400 pesos per night. Other side of the Hotel where in every Room has their Own Balony. Outside of the Rm. 220 in Queen's Margaritte Hotel. I could say that Queen Margaritte Hotel is one of the most Elegant and Expensive Hotel in Town but you worth it because of a nice service and Friendly Stuff who always Smiled at you. Jollibee at Pacific Mall in Lucena City, (Loida ordering Hot and Spicy chicken ) That is their Bed where in they put soft stuff above your Head so that you will not be hurt when you bump your Head. Phil a model of Coconut Trees, He really likes Trees. Queen's Margaritte's bathroom that has a bathtub and with hot and cold shower, even the sink has hot water. A nice and very comfortable Room they got an Aircon that works right nice and big TV, soft Bed and Pillow. They have an Elevator also if you are Lazy going Upstairs. The Big and very clean Lobby of Queen Margaritte Hotel in Lucena city about 207 km from Manila. Queen Margaritte Hotel Receptionist in Lucena where in it is a Big Hotel with a nice Swimming Pool, Friendly Stuff and has a Nice Service where we Spent our One night of Travel from Manila going to Visaya. Billman who take our luggage from room 220 to our Car and of course Phil takes enough luggage for Four People and of course Loida doesn't waste space at all. Candle Obre Lily Flower with has no ants on it. Candle Obre Liliy growing in the Backyard of Queen Margaritte Hotel with an ants because it has a sweet stuff on it. Leaving Queen Margaritte Hotel around 10 in the morning where it is 2400 pesos per night it is such a beautiful Place where you can rest very comfortable with a friendly Stuff.