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.^[7][8]

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, and Oroquieta was not spared from the notorious raids. 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.^[9]

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, in Kawit, Cavite, 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

Aerial view of Lucena, circa 1930s to 40s

Lucena's fertile soil became soaked with the blood of many Filipinos and Americans at the outbreak of the Filipino-American War in 1899. The foreigners established a civil government in the country, and on March 12, 1901, the provincial capital was transferred from Tayabas to Lucena.

World War II

On December 27, 1941, the Japanese Imperial Forces overran the city of Lucena (referred to by the locals as The Fall of Lucena), just 19 days after they set foot on Philippine soil. The Japanese wanted to strengthen their military presence in the region, sending units to capture key points in the town. The invasion was initially successful however the Japanese Imperial Forces would soon encounter stiff resistance from members of the local resistance and members of the Hunters ROTC.

The underground resistance movement was tenacious. Japanese Forces would be caught off-guard with surprise assaults which often resulted in fierce close-quarters combat. Constant assaults and logistical issues would take its toll on the Japanese forces.

By January 25, 1945, the Hunters ROTC guerrillas had penetrated into the town. Using their knowledge of the local surroundings to their advantage, they moved quickly in order prevent Japanese forces from organizing a proper defense. After a hard-fought offensive, the Filipino forces had successfully driven the Japanese out of Lucena. The people of Lucena would fortify their defenses in preparation for another assault. 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.

Cityhood

Lucena was made into a chartered city 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, without the signature of then-President Carlos P. Garcia. The induction of its city officials led by then-Mayor Castro Profugo, as well as its formal inauguration took place on August 20, 1961, as formally stated on Section 90 of Republic Act No. 3271. On July 1, 1991, Lucena became a highly urbanized city, thereby making the city independent from the province.^[10]

Barangays

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

Climate

Lucena falls under Type III of the Corona's climatic classification system.^[12] 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 27 °C (81 °F), with February as the coldest month with temperatures dropping to 20 °C (68 °F), and May as the warmest month with temperatures reaching up to 35 °C (95 °F). Habagat monsoon winds pass through the province from June to October while northeasterly winds or Amihan blows through the islands from December to February.

Retail and commerce

Downtown Merchan Street in Poblacion (Bayan)

Economic activities in Lucena are heavily concentrated in the poblacion (bayan) 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, Puregold Gulang-Gulang Lucena and many more.

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 8,316.90 ha (20,551.5 acres) land area of Lucena City, 19 percent or 1,651.77 hectares (4,081.6 acres) cover the existing built up area. Almost 3% of this or 46.62 hectares (115.2 acres) 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, SFM-Lucena, and Foton Motor.

San Pedro Shipping Yard (Subsidiary of MSLI) is also located in Dalahican.

Religious landmarks

Saint Ferdinand Cathedral

• Saint Ferdinand Cathedral, Barangay V
• Saint Jude Thaddeus Parish Church, Barangay Cotta
• Carmel of Saint Joseph Monastery, Barangay XI
• Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Church, Barangay Ibabang Iyam
• Our Lady of Peñafrancia Parish Church Diocesan Shrine, Hermanas Capistrano Subdivision, Barangay Gulang-Gulang
• St. Alphonsus Regional Seminary, Barangay Isabang
• St. Andrew The Apostle Chapel, Camp Guillermo Nakar, Barangay Gulang-Gulang
• Church of the Holy Face of Jesus, University Village (Site), Barangay Ibabang Dupay
• St. Raphael The Archangel Parish, Barangay Dalahican
• St. Isidore Labrador, Barangay Ibabang Dupay
• Holy Family Church, Centro Pastoral Compound, Barangay Isabang
• Our Lady Of Miraculous Medal Chapel, Barangay IX

Natural attractions

• Botanical Garden
• Orchids Country Farm
• Perez Park
• Eco Park

Festivals

Pasayahan sa Lucena 2013 Street Dance Competition

Pasayahan sa Lucena was conceptualized to showcase the natural and ecological interrelationship and independence between nature and man. It also promotes the ways of life inherent among the people of Lucena. All these find exquisite and appreciative expressions through a mammoth gathering of colors, outlandish costumes and symbolic floats reminiscent of Mardi Gras in Rio de Janeiro and New Orleans. Originally intended as three days of spirited merrymaking in the streets, the event has become weeklong tourist attraction, culminating on May 30 in time for the celebration of the Feast of St. Ferdinand, the patron saint of Lucena.

Another feast highlighting the entire celebration is the Chami Festival that would feature Lucena's very own pansit delicacy. The traditional Chami Festival has a contest of who can cook the most delicious chami. The contestants line up along Quezon Avenue, the city's main road, armed with their cooking utensils and will be provided free chami noodles, meat and other condiments for the cooking fest. All participants were also given cash incentive, gift packs from various sponsors. After the cooking, the spectators were given a chance to eat for free the different taste of chami. They wanted that through this chami cooking festival this city will become a destination of our local and foreign tourists every merry month of May.

Local government

Lucena City Government Complex

Old Lucena City Hall

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 (RA 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 congressional position as the city is part of Quezon's 2nd legislative district.

Pursuant to Chapter II, Title II, Book III of Republic Act No. 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991,^[24] the city of Lucena is to be composed of a mayor (alkalde), a vice mayor (bise alkalde) 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 Captain, 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.

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 Abcede (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)^{[lower-alpha 1]}
• Roderick "Dondon" A. Alcala (November 2012 – 2022)^[27]
• Mark Don Victor B. Alcala (2022–Present)

Notes

Transportation

Old Manila South Road

Lucena City has a central transportation hub called the Lucena Grand Central Terminal located in Barangay Ilayang Dupay, just midway through the Bicol Region and back. The Lucena Grand Central Terminal also hosts the Lucena City Land Transportation Office (LTO) where aspiring drivers can get their driver's license and where drivers can get their license renewed.

New and modern buses ply the route Buendia/LRT1-Lucena, EDSA Pasay-Lucena, Cubao/Kamias-Lucena and Alabang/Starmall-Lucena or UV Express Van to Taytay, Rizal Via Antipolo, Manila East Road, Pililla Wind Farm and Laguna East, Lucban, Tayabas. It serves not only Manila-bound buses but also buses going toward the upland and far-flung areas of Quezon province, particularly Bondoc Peninsula towns. Bus companies such as JAC Liner, Lucena Lines, JAM Liner, DLTBCo and N. 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. Thousand of tricycles also roam the streets of the city, bringing passengers right at their point of destination. These tricycles usually are the mode of transport when night falls. The South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) Toll Road 4 (TR-4) Extension from Santo Tomas, Batangas will end in Lucena City at the connection of Maharlika Highway at Barangay Mayao. It is supposed to be finished by 2019 but moved to 2022.

Furthermore, taxis as mode of transportation are available servicing passengers in this city.^[28]

There is an expressway project to Bicol planned to extend the South Luzon Expressway to Matnog, Sorsogon as SLEX Toll Road 5.^[29]

There exists a Lucena Airport, but no commercial flights come to the city. Even light aircraft can not make use of the facilities.

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 & 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, PNR Lucena station is still active servicing passengers to and from San Pablo City daily.^[30]

Gate to the Port of Lucena

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 130 kilometers (81 mi) southeast of Manila, is known as the gateway and melting pot city of Southern Luzon.

The port complex is built along the fishing village of Barangay Talao-Talao, a kilometer away to the east of Dalahican Fishing Port. The total port area of TMO Lucena is 5,174.75 square meters (55,700.5 sq ft). Operational area of 576.00 square meters and commercial area of 4,598.75 square meters (49,500.5 sq ft) 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 27 nautical miles (50 km; 31 mi) to Dalahican, and 57 nautical miles (106 km; 66 mi) to Batangas City and sea distance to Manila is 150 nautical miles (280 km; 170 mi). Passenger ferry services include Montenegro Shipping Lines and Star Horse Shipping Lines.^[31]

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, Sun Cellular, and Asian Vision. Wi-Fi providers like Converge ICT also operate within the city.

Hospitals

Quezon Medical Center

Lucena has private and public hospitals that are capable of providing most common and advanced medical services, as well as in handling medical emergencies. Both types of institutions are considered to provide the same standard of healthcare and services, differing mainly with the medical and diagnostic facilities at hand.

These are staffed with qualified medical practitioners that are well-versed in English. The doctors are graduates of the many top reputable medical schools in the Philippines; most have pursued further studies and training in the United States. Likewise, the nurses are the products of the many credible nursing schools in the country. These same institutions have produced the many Filipino nurses working in the United States, Europe, Middle East, and other parts of the world.