Jump to content

Lucena: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Gadget850 (talk | contribs)
115,579 edits
m fix gallery center, replaced: <center><gallery → <gallery class="center" , </gallery></center> → </gallery> using AWB
Line 366: Line 366:
{{div col}}
{{div col}}
* [[Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation]] (MSEUF)
* [[Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation]] (MSEUF)
* [[Southern Luzon State University]] (SLSU)
* [[Southern Luzon State University]] (SLSU), Lucena Campus
* [http://www.cefi.edu.ph Calayan Education Foundation Inc.] (CEFI)
* [http://www.cefi.edu.ph Calayan Education Foundation Inc.] (CEFI)
* [http://www.maryhillcollege.edu.ph Maryhill College] (MC) (formerly Maryknoll Academy)
* [http://www.maryhillcollege.edu.ph Maryhill College] (MC) (formerly Maryknoll Academy)

Revision as of 06:36, 7 January 2015

This article is about the city in Quezon province. For the municipality in Iloilo, see New Lucena, Iloilo. For other uses, see Lucena.
Lucena
Highly Urbanized City
City of Lucena
Perez Park with the Quezon Provincial Capitol in the background
Perez Park with the Quezon Provincial Capitol in the background
Official seal of Lucena
Seal
Nickname(s): 
LC; Biofuel City; Cocopalm City of the South; The Gateway to the South; Entertainment Capital of Southern Luzon; Bagong Lucena
Motto: 
Sama-Sama sa Bagong Lucena!
Map of Quezon showing the location of Lucena City
Map of Quezon showing the location of Lucena City
CountryPhilippines
RegionCALABARZON (Region IV-A)
ProvinceCalabarzon
Congr. district2nd district of Quezon
IncorporatedJune 1, 1882 (Town)
IncorporatedAugust 20, 1961 (City)
IncorporatedJuly 1, 1991 (Highly Urbanized City)
Barangays33
Government
[1]
 • RepresentativeVicente J. Alcala (LP)
 • MayorRoderick A. Alcala (LP)
 • Vice-MayorPhilip M. Castillo (LP)
Area
[2]
 • Total
80.21 km2 (30.97 sq mi)
Elevation
15.2 m (49.9 ft)
Population
 (2010)[3]
 • Total
246,392
 • Density3,100/km2 (8,000/sq mi)
DemonymLucenahin
Time zoneUTC+8 (PST)
ZIP Code
4300, 4301
Dialing code42
Income class1st Class
Websitelucenacity.gov.ph

Lucena, officially the City of Lucena (Template:Lang-fil), is the capital city of the province of Quezon, Philippines. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 246,392 people.[3]

History

In the 1570s, Capitan Juan de Salcedo first explored what was the province of Tayabas. 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.

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 capital of Tayabas province in 1901.

Finally on November 5, 1879, the Orden Superior Civil officially adopted the name 'Lucena" in honor of a Spanish friar by the name of Father Mariano Granja 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 and helps their own force 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.

Lucena's fertile soil became soaked with the blood of many Filipinos and Americans at the outbreak of the Fil-Am 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.

During the Second World War, the Japanese Imperial Force occupied Lucena on December 27, 1941, 19 days after they set foot on Philippine soil. But the underground resistance movement was so tenacious in Lucena that by January 25, 1945 (even before the Americans have returned), the Hunters ROTC guerillas penetrated into the town and successfully drove out the Japanese. The rest of Quezon Province (new name of Tayabas Province) had to wait for the American Liberation forces and the Philippine Commonwealth troops to hand freedom on April 4 of that same year.

On June 17, 1961, by virtue of Republic Act No. 3271, Lucena was made into a Chartered City through the efforts of the late Congressman Manuel S. Enverga. It was officially inaugurated on August 19, 1962, during the 84th anniversary of Manuel Luis Quezon. On July 1, 1991, Lucena became a Highly Urbanized City.

Geography

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.

There exists a Lucena Airport, but no commercial flights come to the city. Light aircraft can, however, make use of the facilities.

Being the provincial capital, 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.[2]

3

Climate

Climate data for Lucena
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 28
(82) 		28
(82) 		30
(86) 		32
(90) 		32
(90) 		32
(90) 		31
(88) 		31
(88) 		31
(88) 		30
(86) 		29
(84) 		28
(82) 		30
(86)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 22
(72) 		22
(72) 		23
(73) 		24
(75) 		24
(75) 		24
(75) 		24
(75) 		24
(75) 		23
(73) 		23
(73) 		23
(73) 		23
(73) 		23
(74)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 146.2
(5.76) 		118.9
(4.68) 		89.1
(3.51) 		75.6
(2.98) 		170.8
(6.72) 		188.7
(7.43) 		258.9
(10.19) 		193.3
(7.61) 		227.3
(8.95) 		373.7
(14.71) 		425.3
(16.74) 		483.6
(19.04) 		2,751.4
(108.32)
Average rainy days 22 16 14 10 16 18 20 20 21 24 26 26 233
Source: World Weather Online[4]

Demographics

Population census of Lucena
YearPop.±% p.a.
1980 107,880—    
1990 150,624+3.39%
1995 177,750+3.15%
2000 196,075+2.13%
2007 236,390+2.61%
2010 246,392+1.52%
Source: National Statistics Office[3]

Economy

Commercial

Economic activities in Lucena are heavily concentrated in the poblacion (bayan) and other sub-urban 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. SM City Lucena is the biggest mall in the city located in Ibabang Dupay, which is one of the first SM Malls in Luzon. Other Shopping Centers Include: SM Savemore Agora, Super Metro Lucena, Pacific Mall Lucena And Many More.

Industrial

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 La Tondeña Distillers Inc., 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.

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.The well known JnJ Oil, Exora Cooking Oil and Vegetable Lard, Miyami Cooking Oil are proudly made in this city.[5] Tantuco Industries, JNJ Oil Industries and Monaco Oil Company are some coconot oil companies in the city.

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 like Isuzu and Toyota

Tourism

Road network provides access from all key cities and towns in the island of Luzon to this highly urbanized city. 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 (1976, 1989), Manuel S. Enverga Gymnasium, and Sacred Heart College Gym and Marcial Punzalan Gymnasium.

Port of Lucena

Dalahican Ferry Terminal transports passengers across Tayabas Bay to Marinduque Island

Lucena City is known as the gateway and melting pot city of Southern Luzon. It is considered one of the most important commercial and trading centers of Southern Tagalog. The sprawling trade and commercial district of Lucena are nested among a wide expanse of coconut trees, riceland and moderately rolling hills of gross and shrinks for pleasure. It has a rich fishing ground which supplies fish and other seafoods. Lucena Development Project is a PPA project designed to keep up the port facilities and level of services in Southern Tagalog region specifically the area defined by the Calabarzon province within which substantial to industrial growth is envisioned.

Port of Lucena is about 140 kilometres (87 mi) southeast of Manila located on coordinates of 13,54'13" north latitude and 121,37'36" east longitude. 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 metres (55,700.5 sq ft). Operational area of 576.00 square meters and commercial area of 4,598.75 square meters as delineated under Executive order No. 199 dated September 20, 1994 signed by former 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 to Dalahican, and 57 nautical miles to Batangas City and sea distance to Manila is 150 nautical miles.

Anchor of middle of eastern side of Magdumug Island is 20.1 metres (66 ft) depth, or proceed close to Slavari Island. Anchorage at 12.8 metres (42 ft) mud bottom southwest of Pig Point.

Passenger ferry services include Montenegro Shipping Lines, Phil Nippon Kyoei, and Blue Water Jet[6]

Places of interest

Churches, monasteries, and seminary

  • Saint Ferdinand Cathedral, Barangay V
  • Saint Jude Thaddeus Parish Church, Barangay Cotta
  • Our Lady of Carmelite 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 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

Historical landmarks

Natural attractions

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

Pasayahan sa Lucena

during the 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 exquisites 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.

The festivity is a collaboration of the local government and private sector to boost tourism. It started in May 28, 1987 when two great men of this city, Officer-in-Charge City Mayor Euclides Abcede, and former Bureau of Internal Revenue local office Chief Aguinaldo Abcede, breathed the yearly festival. Its primary objective then was to reform the connotation that the area is infested with members of the New People's Army (NPA). Since then, it has not only become a project but a tradition.

Originally intended as three days of spirited merrymaking in the streets, the event has become a weeklong tourist attraction, culminating on May 30 in time for the celebration of the Feast of St. Ferdinand, the patron saint of Lucena. Lucenahins and even those from neighboring towns enjoy the festive moment of mardi gras. The main street of Lucena, Quezon Avenue is closed on these dates and Lucenahins, even those from neighboring towns flock together for the “tiangge” which can be found in the entire stretch of the main street. Live performances of local and famous bands come together at night and who says beer floods in October? Men and women enjoy not just beer but mostly food in every minor street you’ll see. Fashion keeps its spirit alive as the Quezon Designers’ Assiociation of the Philippines (QDAP) partake in its yearly showcase of their best of the best collection for the “Flores De Mayo,” participated by prominent actors and actresses of the country.

Another feast highlighting the entire celebration is the Chami Festival that would feature Lucena's very own pansit delicacy. It is a contest of cooking the mos delicious chami and the Chami Eating Contest at Quezon Avenue, the city's busiest street.

The most awaited time happens on May 28, the last day of the festival. Floats of participating companies and organizations start to build up at the Alcala Sports Complex (QNHS Compound) and parade from this point to SM City Lucena (endpoint). Each float features a variety of the culture in Quezon province. Prominent is the production of coconut and other local materials but most particularly one can’t miss to notice their creativity. Not only this, an annual competition of floats makes this festival a sure-fire for all the participants. Cash prizes are given away.

Year after year the Pasayan draws a sea of frolicking humanity. More than the glitz and glamour of the Pasayahan in Lucena is the true essence of culture, camaraderie and harmony in the locality.

Chami Festival

Lucena is known for the best taste of chami (a special noodle dish made of locally produced noodle, cooked like pancit with meats, vegetables and other spices), that's why the Pasayahan Executive Committee included a festivity that would feature Lucena's very own pansit delicacy and also in honor in one of the most popular food to lucenians appetite through the Chami Festival, resulting for it to be an official part of the entire festivities and now considered as one of the highlights of the annual Pasayahan.

Chami Festival was first introduced in the Pasayahan on May 25, 2004 as it is expected to merit the attention of the Guinness Book of Records to feature the city as the home of the longest cooking of chami. As good as advertised, hundreds of people gather in the town proper and almost 10 blocks of the street were closed to which tables and tables of chami were served and aligned in the street for eating and for the competition.

The traditional Chami Fest 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.

Years passed by, the festival organizers included the "Chami Eating Contest" by teams. The most important mechanic is eat all the chami on the table to win the cool prize cash. There are few mechanics in the competition such as no chami should be spilled, team cannot distribute or give the chami to a non-member. After a few minutes of eating, drinking and resting finally the first group who finished and emptied the table will be the winner.

Local government

Although Lucena is a highly urbanized city, its charter permits its citizens to vote for provincial elective officials (provincial governor, vice governor, and board).

Elected city officials (2013-2016):[1]

Transportation

File:Philippine Railways- PNR Lucena.jpg
Philippine National Railways station in Lucena

Lucena City has a central transportation hub aptly called the Lucena Grand Central Terminal located in Barangay Ilayang Dupay, just midway through the Bicol Region and back. New and modern buses ply the route Buendia/LRT1-Lucena, EDSA Pasay-Lucena, Cubao/Kamias-Lucena and Alabang/Starmall-Lucena. 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, A&B, BALGCO, Raymond Transportation, Superlines, ALPS, Philtranco, Penafrancia, Isarog, Cagsawa, and Dela Rosa Bus Lines bring back and forth passengers to Manila and Lucena.

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 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.

The South Luzon Expressway Extension from Santo Tomas, Batangas will end in Lucena City at the connection of Old Manila South Road. It will be finished by 2016.

Education facilities

File:Qnhs.jpg
QNHS Main Building

In 2006, the city had a literacy rate of 98.6 percent. It has numerous number of 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 degree programs including liberal arts, arts and sciences, engineering, and information technology are the Alpha Centauri Educational System, Inc., ABE International College of Business and Economics along Quezon Avenue, Philtech Institute of Arts and Technology Inc. (PIAT), Calayan Educational Foundation, Inc.(CEFI), City College of Lucena along the Maharlika Highway, Columbus College-Lucena, Catholic institutions of Sacred Heart College, being the oldest Catholic school in Quezon Province offering quality and personalized education programs. DC School. Accredited Level-II by the PAASCU. SHC is located on Merchan Street,Maryhill College (formerly Maryknoll Academy), which is found at the heart of the city (next to St. Ferdinand Cathedral), Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation, Southern Luzon State University—Lucena Dual Training and Livelihood Center at the City Hall Annex with soon-to-open SLSU College of Medicine to be built at the Quezon Medical Center Compound, the Baptist Voice Bible College on Edano Street, Quezon Center for Research & Studies—Institute of Management (QCRS-IM). Holy Rosary Catholic School (HRCS) along the Quezon Avenue Extension, Capitol Home Site, 2nd Gate.

The Inter-Global Maritime College in Barangay Bocohan provides programs in the maritime sciences. St. Anne College of the Pacific (formerly St. Anne College Lucena, Inc.) in Barangay Gulang-gulang is known for its BSHRM course, St. Augustine School of Nursing at Carlos City Center, AMA School of Nursing in front of Quezon Medical Center offers degrees in the allied medical sciences. The AMA Computer College-Lucena on M.L. Tagarao Street in Iyam, Informatics Lucena - Granja Street, Metro Data Computer Learning Center, Datamex Computer Studies -Enriquez Street, United Computer Educational Institute - Quezon Avenue, and STI College at the corner of Enriquez and Profugo Streets, Infra Comm Asia at Ocean Palace Mall are institutions for higher education that provide computer-related courses.

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. There are numerous day-care centers found all over the city.

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, and Sun Cellular.

Hospitals

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.

  • Lucena United Memorial District Hospital, 178 Merchan Street
  • Lucena MMG General Hospital, Maharlika Highway, Ibabang Dupay
  • Mt. Carmel Diocesan General Hospital, Allarey Extension
  • Lucena United Doctors Hospital, Barangay Isabang
  • St. Anne General Hospital, 51 Gomez Street
  • Quezon Medical Center (Quezon Memorial Hospital), QMC Compound, Quezon Avenue
  • St. Mary's Hospital, Quezon Avenue
  • Quezon MMG Medical Plaza, Quezon Avenue

Media

Television networks

Cable Television Channels

Radio stations

Template:Multicol FM radio:

  • 89.1 Star FM
  • 90.3 Magik FM
  • 91.1 Barangay 91.1 FM (formerly Campus Radio Lucena)
  • 92.7 Brigada News FM (formerly Bay Radio)
  • 93.5 Power FM
  • 95.1 Kiss FM
  • 96.7 Sigaw FM
  • 97.5 Radio City
  • 98.3 One FM
  • 99.5 Wish FM (formerly Win Radio)
  • 100.7 Love Radio
  • 103.1 The Edge Radio
  • 103.5 Hot FM
  • 103.9 Spirit FM
  • 105.3 Retro DCG FM

Template:Multicol-break AM radio:

  • 972 DWTI 972 AM
  • 1017 Radyo ng Bayan Lucena AM
  • 1053 DZEL 1260 Radyo Agila Lucena AM
  • 1188 DZLT 1188 AM
  • 1512 DZAT Life Radio

Template:Multicol-end

Local newspapers

  • Ang Diaryo Natin
  • Balita
  • Lucentino
  • Hataw Tabloid (D'yaryo ng Bayan)
  • Monday Times
  • People's Journal
  • Pilipino Star
  • Tempo

Notable people from Lucena City

Sister Cities

References

  1. ^ a b "Official City/Municipal 2013 Election Results". Intramuros, Manila, Philippines: Commission on Elections (COMELEC). 11 September 2013. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  2. ^ a b "Province: QUEZON". PSGC Interactive. Makati City, Philippines: National Statistical Coordination Board. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
  3. ^ a b c "Population and Annual Growth Rates for The Philippines and Its Regions, Provinces, and Highly Urbanized Cities" (PDF). 2010 Census and Housing Population. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 2013-01-21.
  4. ^ "Average High/Low Temperature for Lucena City, Philippines". World Weather Online. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
  5. ^ [1], JnJ Oil Industries, Inc.
  6. ^ [2], TMO Lucena
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lucena City.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Lucena&oldid=641365702"