The Province of Quezon formerly known as Tayabas with a vast mountainous place situated in the eastern part of the Philippines and a part of the CALABARZON Region. Its quite a big province extending from its northern border at the Sierra Madre Mountains and Aurora Province to its southern border of Camarines Norte of the Bicol Region of an area totalling to 8,700 square kilometers. Coconut trees are mostly grown in this province and due to its geographical location with mostly mountainous area, its local economy are based on coconut products with copra as its leading source and fishing is the livelihood of people in the coastal towns. As I love traveling, I have visited the province countless of times enjoying mountainous trek, the beaches, native foods, tuba, lambanog, its cool climate in the early hours of the morning and fresh air in Gumaca, Mauban and Unisan passing stopping by the other towns especially Lucena City. The province got its name from the second president of the Philippines, Manuel L. Quezon.

Lucena City, its capital, is the center place of the province where the provincial government is located, with the main bulk of its trading and economy heavily concentrated in this city. Colleges and universities also tops this city’s education with Enverga University, Luzonian University and Sacred Heart College among the finest with other instititution, high school and elementary schools located in Lucena City. Improvements in its health program are also in its priority as the province has already 16 government run hospital all over the province, Quezon Memorial Hospital being the biggest and located in central Lucena City with 23 private hospitals and about 40 rural health offices spread across throughout the province with a designated doctor, nurse and dentist on duty while the Medical Center Lucena Educational Institution leads the pack of students in the area of health education. Lucena City has really transformed into a modernized city since I last visited the place with new business buildings constructed, fastfood restaurants such as Jollibbee and inn accommodations of modern facilities. The Pacific Mall, Metro Lucena, SM Lucena and the Quezon Convention Center are some of its finest buildings.

The provincial government also has done a lot to promote travel and tourism for the province. With its mountainous beauty and Mt. Banahaw leading the pack for the most visited place, its unlimited kilometers of quiet shores of beaches are an attraction for local and foreign travelers as well with Padre Burgos as one of the attractions. The islands of Alabat and Polillo boasts of natural beauty with its clear water and still untouched coral reef. Town Fiestas are amongst the colorful events in this province celebrated in the months of May or June starting with the most popular which is the colorful event of them all that is the Pahiyas Festival, celebrated every 15 of May in honor of St. Isidore showcasing houses decorated with fruits, vegetables, agri products, local handicrafts, rice and sweet decorations that can be eaten. Next are the Mayflower Festival in Lopez, the Cow Festival in Alabat, the Lilay-Coco Festival in Unisan and the Lubid-Lubid Festival in Tiaong which is a social festivity that showcases the origin of Tiaong and its people who have contributed to its growth. Native food are also not to be set aside as the Province of Quezon is proud of of their native cookings such as the pancit habhab. My favorites here are the fresh caught fish wrapped in banana leaves and cooked in coconut milk, the fresh caught alamang shrimp garnered with sliced kamias and the also the sinaing na tulingan.

You can also view the beauty of Quezon Province in this 6 minute video of its other fascinating towns, its beautiful people and the wonderful places that awaits you. Enjoy !!!

Tags: Lucena City, Pahiyas Festival, Quezon, Tayabas