ABOUT LUCENA
Bounded on the north and northeast by the Municipality of Pagbilao, on the south and southeast by the Tayabas Bay, on the southwest by the Municipality of Sariaya, and on the northwest by the municipality of Tayabas, Lucena City at the Southeastern part of Quezon Province is approximately 137 kilometers southeast of Manila via the Philippine-Japan Friendship Highway.
 As one of the busiest fishing ports and a major domestic passenger seaport in Luzon, Lucena has become a gateway to Southern Tagalog, Metro Manila and other parts of Mainland Luzon from the Bicol region and the island provinces of Marinduque, Masbate, Palawan, and Romblon. The City is linked to its neighboring towns, cities, and provinces through various transport networks--roads, railways, sea and air.
Land Area.
The land area of Lucena is small--approximately 8,315.73 hectares. This represents 0.95% of the provinces and 15% of the district total land areas. About 97.9% of the total land area of Lucena belongs to barangays outside the city proper. The biggest five of which are Mayao Castillo, Ibabang Iyam, Isabang, Mayao Silangan, and Ibabang Dupay that makes up almost 40% of the City’s total land area.
Topography Lucena is situated on a flat terrain with slightly rolling hills. The greatest part of the land has a slope of 0 to 3%. Slope of 10 to 20% comprise only a little portion of the land. Nine rivers and six creeks serve as natural drainage for the city. The City is wedged between two big rivers, the Dumacaa River in the eastern part, which abounds with boulders, and Iyam River in the west which has an abundant deposit of gravel and sand. There are few marshes along the seacoast, because most of them have been converted into fishponds.
Political Subdivision.
 Climate
The climate in Lucena is characterized as no dry season with a pronounced maximum rain period. The maximum rain period occurs from October to January (for 33 year record of rainfall). The average annual precipitation is 349.44 mm. Temperature ranges from 17.5 degrees Centigrade to 35 degrees Centigrade. The average sea level pressure is 1009.65 millibars.
 Soil Fertility
There are six soil types in the city, namely: Buguey Loamy Sand, Guadalupe Clay Loam, Ibaan Loam, Ibaan Silt Clay Loam, Macolod Clay Loam, and the Hydrosoil. Of these six types, five could be planted with different crops, including coconut and rice varieties. There are six soil types in the city, namely: Buguey Loamy Sand, Guadalupe Clay Loam, Ibaan Loam, Ibaan Silt Clay Loam, Macolod Clay Loam, and the Hydrosoil. Of these six types, five could be planted with different crops, including coconut and rice varieties. The Buguey Loamy Sand yields the highest for coconut trees at 3,400 nuts per hectare per year. The Ibaan Loam yields the highest average for rice ranging from 30 to 50 cavans per hectare. The hydrosoil found along the city coasts could be planted with mangrove and nipa. A great portion of these areas is submerged at high tide. Other portion have been converted into fishponds.
Natural Resources.
 Hydrological and Ecological Condition
Generally, the soil and atmosphere conditions, temperature, light, water, (except in some barangays where the water facilities are not satisfactory) and other geological factors in Lucena, form a favorable environment, which provides conditions suitable for the maintenance of life and for carrying its activities.
 Forestry
Although Lucena has no more forest zone, there is a three-hectare man-made forest known as the Botanical Garden within the compound of the Enverga University Foundation site. The City also maintains a one-half hectare Ecology Park at Brgy. Isabang.
 Fishery and Aquatic Resources
Tayabas Bay is one of the excellent fishing grounds in Quezon Province. In 1996, Lucena City had a recorded quantity of fish caught be commercial fishing vessels totaling to 11,841,180 kgms; 14,933,641 kgms. in 1997; and 12,919,155 kgms. in 1998 and 122,800,266 kgms. in 1999.
Mother Tongue
Tagalog is the predominant dialect spoken by 95.71 percent of the population as Lucena is situated in one of the largest Tagalog speaking provinces in the Southern Tagalog Region. Bicol follows this with 1.64 percent and Masbateño with .33 percent, both are neighboring provinces of Quezon. There are other 25 dialects being used and they represent the people that migrated to this city. They came from as far as Pangasinan (.2%), Ilocos (.18%), Maranao (.13%) and China (.12 %)
SHORT HISTORY
Lucena City history began with the years 1571 and 1572, when Capitan Juan de Salcedo first explored the province of Tayabas. The Franciscan priests Juan de Plasencia and Diego de Oropesa between 1580 and 1583 founded its town, also named Tayabas. Lucena was just one of its barrios.
 The Spaniards of the 16th century called the present site “Buenavista” because of its awe inspiring 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. Hence, the place became known as “Cotta” which is the Spanish name for “fort”.
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.
FAMOUS TOURISM
 Pasayahan sa Lucena
 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 first Pasayahan in 1987 was a big triumph that it has become an annual affair. Year after year the Pasayan draws a sea of frolicking humanity. Pasayahan sa Lucena 2006 features Chami Festival to promote Lucena’s very own native delicacy, the chami. Other features such as the Midnight Madness Sale and street concerts take stage in the Pasayahan.
Flores de Mayo and Santa Cruzan
 Flores, from Spanish flores or "flowers," also known as Flores de Mayo (flowers of May), Flores de Maria (flowers of Mary) or alay (offering), may refer to the whole Flower Festival celebrated in the month of May in tribute to the Virgin Mary
The highlight of the celebration, is the Santa Cruzan, the procession on the last day of the festival in honour of Reyna Helena. In the year 326 A.D. she and her son left Rome and searched for the Holy Cross in Jerusalem. At last they found the Holy Cross and brought it back to Rome, the capital of their empire. It is more a parade than a religious procession. Instead of icons or images, beautiful young women (or gays) with appropriate theatrical costumes, portray biblical and historical characters. Almost all sagalas, the persons in the parade, symbolize queens from the past! Each sagala is dressed beautiful and is looking as the 'real' Reyna (Queen)!
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