History

Before it became a very successful city, Lucena was but a barrio of Tayabas town, then the capital of Tayabas province. The place was explored by Captain Juan de Salcedo in 1571 and 1572. The barrio was organized by the Franciscan missionaries. According to some of the Spanish records, Lucena was called before as “Cotta” (“kuta” in Tagalog). That was because of the existence of cottas or strong forts along the coast of Lucena, even though these forts are no longer in existence in today’s Lucena City. These forts were used by the natives at that time to defend themselves against the attacks of the Muslim piratical raids. Finally, on November 5, 1878, due to the Orden Real Superior Civil, the community was named as “Lucena”. Almost a year after that, Lucena became an independent municipality. The growth of local maritine trade facilitated in the Cotta port and the final defeat of Moro pirates, afforded the growth of Lucena as a town which eventually led to its being the capital of Tayabas province.

On December 27, 1941, Lucena was occupied by the Japanese Forces as World War II started. Then on January 25, 1945, the Hunter ROTC guerillas of Lucena succeeded in driving out the Japanese forces in their town. And on April 4, 1945, Quezon province gained independence.

Lucena was only made as a chartered city by virtue of Republic Act No. 3271 on June 17, 1961 and inaugurated on August 19, 1962 during the 84th birthday anniversary of the late President Manuel L. Quezon. Today, Lucena is already a highly urbanized city with a goal of becoming an Economic Zone.

Population/ Language/ Area

In 2010, Lucena City had a total population of 246,392, in 44,952 households with an annual population growth rate of 2.12%. The predominant language used is Tagalog, followed by Bicol dialect, Masbateño and other migrant’s dialect.

Products and Services

Lucena city is famous for its coconut crops and rice varieties.

Business Opportunity

With enough available power from Pagbilao, heavy industries like iron and steel, metal fabrication, chemicals, shipbuilding, paper products, and automotive and parts are recommended. Small and medium enterprises, however, are the most viable businesses to put up in Lucena City.

Tourist Spots

• Botanical Garden & Arboretum

• Dalahican Beach Resort

• Orchids Country Farm

• South Waters Marina & Country Club

Festivals and Celebrations

• The Feast of San Isidro Labrador – This feast is celebrated every May 15 of the year, in honor of the farmer’s patron Saint as thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest. The festivity is very colorful, as houses are decorated with all sorts of fruits, candies, food crops and colored “Kiping” that is made out of rice.
• Pasayahan sa Lucena – The festival is celebrated on May 27 to 29 annually, patterned after a Mardi Gras Festival in Rio de Janeiro with dancing, singing and merry-making on the street.
• Ugat Lucena – This is celebrated on the eve of the City Fiesta, in commemoration of its original townsfolk who have already settled abroad tracing ones family origin, old friends and neighbors.
• City Fiesta – The Fiesta is celebrated every May 30 of the year, in honor of Saint Ferdinand. Other festivities also includes Lucena’s version of Ati-Atihan, Igorot Cañao, Mascara Festival, Muslim Wedding, Moriones Festival, Penagbenga Flower Festival, Santacruzan and Pista sa Nayon.