DIOCESE OF LUCENA

While history books claim that the Spanish explored what is now Quezon Province in 1571 and called it Kalilaya (later renamed Tayabas), a manuscript in the archives of Pastrana, Spain says that the Christian faith was brought to the province of Quezon in the Philippines in 1858 by two intrepid Franciscan friars: Fray Juan de Plasencia and Fray Diego de Oropesa. Many in Quezon believe that these two friars were the true founders of the towns of Lucban and Tayabas (now Lucena) in Quezon.

In later years other Franciscan Missionaries came and preached the Gospel in the towns of Mauban, Sariaya, Gumaca and others. From all indications it appears that the Franciscans built and organized the localities that make up Quezon Province, leaving their footprints in its cultural and religious life.

Historically the province is known as the place where General Miguel Malvar, a Filipino rebel during the Philippine-American War, made his base of operations. He was the last Filipino general to surrender to American forces at the turn of the century. Civil government by the Americans was finally established in 1901.

Quezon Province, including its subprovince of Aurora in the north, has a shoreline that stretches along the eastern seaboard of Luzon from Isabela in the north, to the western end of the Bicol Peninsula in the south. In September of 1946 the old name of the province, Tayabas, was changed to Quezon, in honor of the first president of the Commonwealth of the Philippines, President Manuel L. Quezon, with Lucena as its capital. 98 per cent of the people in the province speak Tagalog.

Tayabas in the past fell under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Nueva Caceres. Because of distance and a fast-growing population (it has the highest growth rate in the country), Tayabas came under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Lipa in 1910.

Monsignor Alfredo Verzosa, then Bishop of Lipa, signalled the coming of a new day for the province when he built a minor seminary in the town of Tayabas, now Lucena, in 1942, placing it under the protection of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary. The Bishop had strong faith and foresight. That seminary was to be the keystone in the building of a diocese, which finally took place on March 28, 1950.

On that day the papal bull was read before a huge crowd that gathered in the cathedral of Lucena. By virtue of this announcement, the territories of Quezon, excluding Infanta and neighboring towns, and Marinduque formed the new Diocese of Lucena. The miraculous image of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage of Antipolo was beautifully enthroned in the presbytery of the Lucena Cathedral.

Witnessing the historical event then were Most Reverend Rufino J. Santos, proclaimed Apostolic Administrator of the new diocese, and Most Reverend Alfredo M. Obviar, Auxiliary Bishop of Lipa. About 40 priests attended the ceremony.

Today the Diocese of Lucena comprises the central towns of Quezon Province, with St. Ferdinand, the King, as its titular patron. It is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Lipa. Administering its 31 parishes are 81 priests. Among the Catholic institutions are 2 seminaries, 3 pastoral centers, 19 Catholic schools, 1 diocesan hospital, 1 printing press, 1 radio station, and 1 diocesan newspaper. There are about 20 or more BEC's to each parish.

Chami

Chami is a tasty and popular food made of locally manufactured noodles and cooked in pancit like manner with pork, vegetables and the usual condiments. Its locally manufactured noodles make the recipe distinctly delicious.

Chami is affordable and is served in numerous restaurants in Lucena City and small snack bars and canteens. In support of the Chami industry, the City Government has made it an activity to conduct the chami festival during Pasayahan sa Lucena festivities.

The long strip of Quezon Avenue, major street in the city proper is

filled with participants who are part of the “Chami Festival”. Participants are provided with free ingredients and their own original recipe of chami. The winner gets a prize from the sponsors and from the City Government. This is done annually during the town fiesta.

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.

Lucena Blue Card Program

Through the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), members of the community belonging to the so called “poorest among the poor” are identified and targeted as beneficiaries of basic services from the local government aimed as an effort to improve the quality of life of said identified group. The CSWDO prepares a case study of each, and qualified families are issued a blue card that entitles them to certain benefits. Benefits are a package of free services including, but not limited to, health care, legal assistance, education assistance, financial assistance, assistance for civil registrations, development training/seminars, and livelihood assistance.

Lucena City : Bio-fuels City

The City’s concrete initiative to help in the efforts against global warming is to make Lucena a prime-mover in the implementation of R.A 9367 more commonly known as the Bio-fuels Act as well as be in the forefront of local efforts to preserve the environment and advocate for clean air.

“Unlad Lucena Movement!”

A community organization initiated by the local government composed of volunteers from the community who are willing to participate in various city activities that concern delivery of basic services and resolution of social concerns such as, but not limited to, environmental concerns, traffic management, peace and order situation and poverty alleviation.

forest in lucena

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.