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Lucena (), officially known as the City of Lucena (), is a highly urbanized city situated in the Calabarzon of the Philippines. The city is the largest Urban area and capital of Quezon. The city also serves as a major hub for commerce, healthcare, education, and governance within the region.
Lucena City, although Geography situated within Quezon Province, is politically and administratively independent. This distinction enables it to Government 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 Municipality, 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 2024 census, Lucena City is home to 280,331 people.
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 language 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 Lucena Cathedral 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. Jorge 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 Emilio 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.
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.
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 Fortification in anticipation of a potential counterattack.
Later attempts by the Japanese to re-establish their occupation of Lucena failed.
Quezon 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.
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.
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 Prime in Luzon. Other Shopping Centers include Pacific Mall Lucena ( Metro Gaisano Mall), SM Savemore Agora, and Puregold Gulang-Gulang Lucena.
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 fish and smoked fish, Liquor, Bamboo textile and Rattan, Ornamental plant, 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, Isuzu-Lucena, Mitsubishi Lucena (Borromeo Motoring Group), and Foton Motor.
San Pedro Shipping Yard, a subsidiary of MSLI, is also located in Dalahican.
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.
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.
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 councilors ( 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 Kagawad. 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.
| Mark Don Victor B. Alcala | |
| Roderick A. Alcala | |
| Americo Q. Lacerna | |
| Patrick Norman E. Nadera | |
| Jose Christian O. Ona | |
| Ryan Caezar E. Alcala | |
| Edwin J. Pureza | |
| Reil Briones | |
| Rolden C. Garcia | |
Municipal presidents during the American Civil Government:
Mayors under the Commonwealth Government:
Acting mayors (after World War II):
Elected mayors:
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. Iligan Mindanao
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.
as also available within the city along with Car rental.
Despite undergoing renovation, Lucena station is still active, servicing passengers to and from San Pablo City daily.
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 Lines and Star Horse Shipping Lines., TMO Lucena
Here are the hospitals available in the city:
Institutions offering various Academic degree including Liberal Arts, The arts and , 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.
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.
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